Capitol Theatre Center

In 1926, the Pottstown, PA Theatre Company wanted a new "Flagship" theater to head up its rapidly growing chain of movie palaces. Chambersburg was chosen as the site. A local arcitect was chosen for the design and immediately the Quigly Hafer Construction Company began construction of the state-of-the-art steel and brick building.Completed in a record time of nine months, the Capitol Theatre opened in a grand spectacular on the night of February 3, 1927. The Capitol was the newest and most technically advanced venue anywhere in the area.Wilford Binder of Baltimore, a well known theater organist was hired to specify the requirements for the proposed theater pipe organ, something no other theater in the area would have. Although Binder had wanted a Kimball Pipe Organ, the owners and the nearby Moller Organ Co. wanted badly to install one of the new Moller Theatre Organs in the new showplace. They prevailed and, in 1927, the new 3 manual, 14 rank Moller was installed behind the beautiful gold leafed grill work covering the organ chamber. Wilford Binder commanded the console of the Magnificent Moller from opening night until 1952, undoubetedly a record tenure for any theater organist.

Much has been accomplished in a relatively brief period. The roof has been repaired, the stage floor has been leveled and resurfaced, and a stage extension constructed. Dressing rooms have been upgraded and a hydraulic lift installed for the organ console. In the auditorium, lighting box booms were installed, the floor was repaired and repainted, seat rows were realigned, and worn seats removed. A total of 524 new seats were installed, with eight wheelchair positions included in the configuration. The theater now holds 782 on the main floor and 70 seats in the balcony. Work in the balcony has included the reconstruction of seating platforms and repainting of balcony walls. The second floor "Gallery Room" was reconstructed and is being used for rehearsals and meetings. Wheelchair accessible restrooms have been installed on the first floor and offices constructed for use by theater management and the Chambersburg Community Theatre.The continued success of the Capitol Theatre and Cultural Arts Center will depend heavily on an active corps of volunteers. Help is needed staffing the office, taking ticket orders, ushering, staffing the concession stand, and with building maintenance and repairs. Interested persons may contact the volunteer coordinator at 263-0202.