The Turnage Theaters Foundation, Inc

C. A. Turnage built 3 theaters in Washington, NC in his lifetime. The first, a vaudeville theater, was built in 1913 and is located above the current Turnage Lobby and office area. Turnage transitioned from vaudeville to silent movies without an issue, but when the talkies came along, his old theater would no longer suffice. The problem was that the original theater had no air conditioning, so the windows on the street side were always left open in the summer. While this didn't stop anyone from reading the dialogue, it sure impaired their ability to hear it.

So, Turnage built his "Palace" theater below and behind his vaudeville stage. Designed after the Palace Theater in New York, this state of the art movie theater facility took just nine months to complete. Of course, early movie house operators were fairly certain that these talkies were just a passing fancy, so Turnage included a stage and an orchestra pit in his plans, just in case. The stage, however, was never used for a professional performance, though a number of recitals have been said to have tapped and twirled across it. 

The "Palace" was so successful, that Turnage then built the Reita theater across the street, which is best known for the succession of Westerns and B movies that were played there.Until the late 1970s, both theaters functioned as the only movie houses in Washington. All this changed, however, when the Carmike "multiplex" opened in the Washington Square Mall.

During this period of competition, the Turnage made various attempts to carve a niche in the market, some more colorful than others. Finally, though, in 1980, it showed its last Kung Fu movie, and closed its door for what appeared to be forever. Now, the only guests of the "Palace" were pigeons, who did their best to leave an indelible mark on the facility. 

In the summer of 1996 a group of concerned citizens in the Washington N.C. area came together with the goal of restoring the historic Turnage Theaters. On August 10, 1996 they created a formal structure now known as the Turnage Theaters Foundation, Inc.

The mission of the Turnage Theaters Foundation is to enrich and cultivate the heritage of the community by authentically restoring, and effectively operating the Turnage Theaters, establishing a cultural center to be used for the performing arts, community gatherings, educational programs, corporate expos and meetings, and private functions for residents and visitors of Eastern North Carolina.

Through massive publicity, countless presentations, a vigorous membership drive and a variety of well-patronized fundraising events, by the end of 1996, the Turnage Foundation had accumulated over $50,000.  Considering the enormity and uncertainty of the future, this was a staggering achievement.  In June 1997, the Foundation received non-profit 501(c)(3) status.  The Foundation was then poised to make the Turnage Theaters a vital part of downtown Washington, Beaufort County and Eastern North Carolina once again.  The Foundation has since raised additional significant funds, purchased and maintained the Turnage buildings, conducted business analyses and feasibility studies, retained an architect and building contractor, negotiated tax credits and construction loans, and successfully rehabilitated the first of two theaters on the property.

The Turnage Theaters building, located at 150 West Main Street, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing building to the Washington, North Carolina Historic District.

The Turnage presents the finest in professional performing arts and entertainment using the following guiding principles:

1. Excellence
2. Innovation
3. A broad spectrum of programs
4. Diversity
5. Accessible and affordable arts experiences
6. Celebration of the creativity of the human spirit
7. Recognition of the power of the arts to change society
8. Utilization of the unique facility
9. Fiscal responsibility

2010 Turnage Theaters Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees

Are You interested in becoming a member of the Turnage Theater Board? The first step is to click here to download the application. When you've filled it out, please bring it by the office or mail it to the address on the form.  

** The History you have just read has been pieced together through a combination of documentation and hearsay. IF you've heard the story differently, please go to the "contact us" page and send us a message. Thank you!  

The Stairway leading to the balcony,before and after