Stone Theatre

The Stone Theatre was a Depression-era, Streamline Moderne style movie house that operated in the shadows of the Bassett Furniture factory. The community of Bassett, Virginia is primarily known for the home of Bassett Furniture as founded by three members of the Bassett family and one non-member in Reed Lewis Stone. The town and founders took care of their employees so that they wouldn’t have to constantly travel to larger cities for services and retail purposes.

One example of was this dedication was the creation of the Reed Stone Block that housed many retailers and services that served the community. Located next to the Bassett factory and across the street from the depot, the Stone Block is where the salon, telegraph office, and drug store were all located. At the end of the Stone Block in 1936 was the Stone Theatre named after Reed L. Stone.

How important was the theatre to the pace of the community? Consider that Reed Stone’s house stood on the site of the theatre bearing his name until the Bassetts and Stones built new residences in 1935. Late in 1935, the theatre was announced and would launch on July 7, 1936. The 600-seat theater surpassed the existing, silent-era 210-seat Bassett Theatre in comfort and size but both theatres would co-exist in the diminutive community in the 1940’s and even into 1950’s. (The Bassett Theatre would go out of business in 1942 when Stone owner Cecil Ward purchased it; but it made a brief comeback after the War).

In addition to films, live music appearances by The Ink Spots, Bill Monroe, Charlie Monroe, Martha Carson, Grand Ole Opry stars Jimmy Dickens and Del Wood, and others occurred on the Stone’s stage. Cowboy stars such as Smiley Burnette also appeared. The Stone Theatre updated just after its 20th anniversary to present widescreen, CinemaScope titles.

In 1964, Rives S. Brown of the Martinsdale Theatre Corporation and its Rives Theatre - took on the Stone Theatre. The Stone Theatre ended theatrical operations on August 20, 1972 following showings of “Vanishing Point" starring Barry Newman. It hosted sporadic live events until becoming a full-time house of worship which has continued into the 2020’s.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.