Fox Theatre

The Fox offers tours upon advance request and this is one definitely worth attending. Today, this lovely 900 plus seat theatre’s venue consists mostly of concerts, classic film series, and children’s films. The Fox remained closed for a number of years longer than necessary because of a dispute between the two owners. While one person owned the building another person owned all the fixtures. Each, of course, claimed ownership to the lovely and very valuable chandeliers. Once the dispute was settled the building was sold and renovations began. Renovations included extensive washroom updates, new carpeting (custom woven in the original pattern) , and recovering all of the seating. The stage was also enlarged by covering over the orchestra pit. Original plans called for the Fox Theatre Building to be an eight story structure but lack of funds from the main benefactor resulted in initially only a two story structure. Shortly after, more funding became available and 2 more stories were added resulting in todays 4 story structure. Years ago there was direct access to the third floor of the theatre building from the benefactor’s next door high-rise building. This resulted in additional office space for the high-rise owner. The Fox is operated by a small salaried staff and many dedicated and knowledgeable staff.

Recent pictures posted to the Photo section.

Thanks for the great photos, Chuck.

The architect for the restoration of the Fox Theatre was Killis Almond, of Killis Almond & Associates, a San Antonio, Texas, based firm specializing in the restoration of historic buildings. Click on their “Projects” link to find a link to a page about this theater, as well as links to pages about some of their other theater projects.

There are a lot of pictures of the art deco details & some vintage pictures of this theatre on the homepage… it is a little easier than said above, just click on the broken link “X” and they will open in the same window.

Homepage – not designed too well. You need to right click on each of the photos and open each in a new window to view them:
http://www.hutchinsonfox.com/

Tour of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas Theatres in 2004
From June 26 through July 1, 2004 the Theatre Historical Society of America will tour a number of theatres in Kansas City Missouri and surrounding areas, including theatres in Lamar, Joplin, Richmond, St. Joseph and Springfield, MO, as well as Miami, OK, and these cities in Kansas: Leavenworth, Kansas City, Emporia, El Dorado, Augusta, Wichita, Hutchinson, McPherson, Salina, Concordia, and Topeka. More information is contained on their web site: http://www.HistoricTheatres.org and special photos and information concerning the Kansas City theatres: UPTOWN and the MIDLAND is available on this temporary page of their site at: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/fromarch.html A glossy brochure about this “Heart of America” Conclave is available from the Society’s headquarters listed on their homepage, via E-mail to the Ex. Director, or via snail mail. Membership in the Society is not required to attend the Conclave and tour the theatres, but fees do apply as detailed on their site. Bring your camera and lots of film, for it is usually difficult or impossible to enter these theatres for photos, and some of them will surely not be with us in the years to come.

Can you tell me when Galagher(maybe misspelled) Coming to the theater? My husband heard it on the radio, and we would like to come. We grew up in Hutchinson and love Galagher.

G. Stuart