Beacon Theatre
Also known as: Broadway Theatre; DHR File no. 116-0010
Why it's listed
Opened on November 28, 1928 as the Broadway Theatre, this three-story brick building at North Main and East Cawson Streets in Hopewell combined a vaudeville and movie house with storefronts, second-floor apartments and a third-floor Knights of Pythias meeting hall. Architects Osbert L. Edwards of Hopewell and Fred Bishop of Richmond designed it, and it was built for $150,000 with seating for 981 people. The exterior mixes Art Deco brickwork and cast-stone details with Colonial Revival features, while the auditorium has classical plaster friezes, an elaborate proscenium and a cove ceiling. After a 1932 auction it was renamed the Beacon Theatre, and it hosted live acts and films until closing in 1981. It is valued for its architecture and as a rare surviving mid-size vaudeville theater. A local nonprofit rescued it in 1987 and began a major rehabilitation in 1999 to restore it as a performance and meeting venue.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion C at the local level for its eclectic early 20th-century design, which combines Art Deco and Colonial Revival elements. It also stands out as a rare surviving mid-size vaudeville theater, with elaborate classical plaster detailing inside. Its mix of commercial and residential space to support the theater is typical of vaudeville houses of the period.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 00001434, listed November 22, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 401 N. Main St., Hopewell (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Hopewell |
| Listed | November 22, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00001434 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Osbert L. Edwards, Architect; Fred Bishop, Architect (building constructed by W.W. Thompson) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival/ Modern movement - Art Deco |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed function is vacant/not in use; the theater closed in 1981 and a major rehabilitation began in November 1999, with the aim of returning it to use as a performance and meeting space. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.30472, -77.28723 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 00001434.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15197913
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.