For years, many loyal Opera House supporters have asked for us to offer season tickets. Starting with the 2010-2011 season, we are doing just that.

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The Pocahontas County Opera House is an all-volunteer organization. If you enjoy attending programs and would like to help assure that these great events keep happening, please consider becoming an Opera House volunteer.

Whether it’s baking goodies for the refreshment table, distributing posters around the county, working admission at the door, helping set up before or clean up after performances or any number of other tasks, we could use your help!

If you’re interested in becoming an Opera House volunteer, please call us at 304-799-6645 and let us know how you would like to help.

If you are looking for a unique venue to hold your performance, recital, meeting, reception, wedding, or other special event, look no further than the Opera House. The Pocahontas County Opera House is available to host all kinds of events.

A charming and intimate theater, the Opera House has the capacity of approximately 250. The Opera House is rented on a daily basis. Rental rates are $150 per day for private or business rentals and $50 per day for non-profit groups. An additional $50.00 deposit is also required and will be refunded if building is left in good order.

These rental rates and fees only cover use of the building. Any costs associated with rental of additional sound, lighting or other production equipment, staff, concessions, artists’ requirements, etc. are the sole responsibility of the lessee unless specifically addressed in the rental agreement.

For rental inquiries, e-mail rentals_at_pocahontasoperahouse.org. Please include your contact information, as well as the date(s) you are interested in renting the Opera House.

Please review the rental agreement that must be signed.

Ticket sales cover only a portion of our annual operating budget, so we must rely on the generosity of our many patrons who recognize the value of the Opera House’s role in our community. Without this ongoing support, we could not continue to offer the quality programs our audiences enjoy.

The Pocahontas County Opera House Foundation is a non-profit 501c(3) organization. The foundation is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the building, assisting in the continued restoration of the Opera House and programming of events. Donations are gladly accepted. Donors may specify the area to which they would like their donation applied.

Donate today, using PayPal:

Or mail your check to

Please feel free to call or email us for more information on how you can help us to continue bringing quality programs to Pocahontas County.

The Opera House is Pocahontas County’s premier performing arts center. An intimate venue, with seating for about 250, the Opera House is part of the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail. Its annual performance series brings more than a dozen performances on its stage each year, ranging from bluegrass to jazz, folk to musical theatre and everything in between.

Ornate pressed-metal panels adorn the ceiling, and the large performance hall is accented by a balustrade of American Chestnut, which wraps around three sides of the balcony. Light pours in through the building’s 32 windows.

At the turn of the 20th century, the railroad’s arrival in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, opened vast stands of virgin timber to commercial markets. The advent of rail travel and commerce opened isolated communities to all the activity and opportunity that followed the rails.

The first Opera House in Marlinton, known as “The Grand,” began showcasing vaudeville acts, dramatic productions and moving picture shows in 1907. The second and larger Opera House, on Third Avenue, towers above other buildings in town reminding us of the impact of the railroad. Built in 1910 by J. G. Tilton, the three-story concrete structure boasted a large stage and wrap-around balcony. The glory days of this grand facility were short lived. Mr. Tilton, also the publisher of the Marlinton Messenger ran into financial trouble and the building was sold in 1914. It was used for car sales and lumber storage for many years.

In 1991, Pocahontas County’s Historic Landmarks Commission purchased the Opera House and, with support from the community, worked to transform it from an abandoned and forgotten old building into a beautiful performance space and center for community activities, reopening its doors and bringing performances to its stage once again in 1999.

The century old building is now on the National Register of Historic Places and has become the performing arts center of Pocahontas County. On any given Friday or Saturday night the building is packed with people, who come from far and near to hear the sounds of artists like John McCutcheon, Chris Smither or the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys.

The Opera House also hosts a variety of community events, from open jam sessions to family movie nights. The building is also available for private rentals.

Thanks to the continued hard work of dedicated volunteers, and a supportive participatory community, the Opera House is once again the cultural heart of the community.

Performances at the Opera House are informal, family-friendly and open to all. Children 12 and under are admitted free. The entrance and main seating are handicapped accessible. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to attend; special accommodations can be arranged upon request. Admission is only available at the door the evening of each performance. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.