444 Pike Street
Clarksburg, WV, 26301
https://www.therobinsongrand.com/
Claude Robinson was experienced in all facets of running a theater: as a boy, he sold theater programs on the streets, and managed three different theaters and opera houses in New York throughout adulthood. In 1910, Robinson received a letter from his brother, Rube, detailing the loss of Trader’s Grand Opera House to a fire in Clarksburg. Seeing an opportunity, Claude moved with his wife to West Virginia, and began the construction of Robinson Grand Theater, which opened its doors in 1913. The theater was impressive, featuring a covered walkway leading to its large front doors, which were flanked by ornate windows. It debuted with the silent film “The Case of Becky”, and hosted entertainment from vaudeville to ventriloquist. In 1927, the theater received a remodel, which included a sound system. The Robinson Grand Theater thus became one of the earliest US theaters to have a sound system, owed in part due to Claude’s personal connections with Albert Warner of Warner Brothers. In 1939, a fire broke and razed the stage and interior, but Claude, as a “Christmas gift to Clarksburg” saw to its quick repair and it reopened after only a few short months. After the 1980s, the theater began to struggle, eventually ending up under the care of the city of Clarksburg in 2014.
After acquiring the theater, the city, in tandem with organizations such as The Cultural Foundation of Harrison County, began a five-year process of renovating the theater. Upon reopening, the theater was rebranded as the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center. This extensive project saw improvements to accessibility, as well as the addition of an education center focused on arts and history. In its new role as a performing arts center, the Robinson Grand hosts performers from comedians to notable musicians, shows movies and live plays, and acts as a community center.
The Robinson Grand’s versatility continues to help the culture of Clarksburg thrive today, and ensures an engaging experience for its visitors.
Find them at https://www.therobinsongrand.com/
Sources –
https://www.therobinsongrand.com/about
Written by Ethan Wimer, published 2025
West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail 