By Steve Cook
Listen closely. You can almost hear the sounds of laughter…the sounds of audiences of years gone by enjoying Will Rogers, Charlie Chaplin, and other motion picture legends. Back in those days, the seats in this now abandoned theatre were filled. Locals packed the theatre to see the latest Hollywood had to offer. Those were the glory days for Hopewell’s  Beacon Theatre, which had first opened its doors, showing silent movies, in 1928.
Today, the auditorium sits empty, in the dark, with just a construction lamp shining dimly on walls painted black, and peeling. The black walls are a reminder of the building’s final indignity…its transformation to a porn theatre. That was in the late seventies. By 1981, even the triple “X” on the marquee was gone. The theatre had closed its doors. The curtain had come down. But, wait. That was not “The End,” but only intermission.
True, today, the movie screen is gone, so are the seats and the carpeting, all the trappings that made the Beacon so magical. But, like the mythical phoenix, the Beacon has begun an ascent from the ashes of neglect and abandonment.
As early as 1987, a campaign was initiated to breathe new life into the Beacon. With the founding of Hopewell Preservation, Inc., efforts were made to restore this grand old theatre to its original splendor. And despite some setbacks along the way, today, thanks largely to the tireless efforts of Cheryl Collins, President of the non-profit group, the Beacon is well on its way towards total restoration. Collins, is quick to give the credit for the theatre’s renovation to the generosity of others, individuals as well as corporations.
While the theatre portion of the building awaits future restoration, two phases of the three-phase project have already been completed. In portions of the building that had in earlier days been offices and apartments, you’ll now discover three separate reception/banquet areas. These beautifully restored facilities have proven to be very popular for private and corporate functions. Last year, the Beacon was the site for a local theatrical production, which was presented from a makeshift stage in the building’s third-story ballroom. That was just a taste of what theatre-goers have to look forward to.
With the completion of phase three, Cheryl Collins envisions a facility that will serve as the centerpiece to a new Downtown Hopewell. “With the theatre will come new restaurants and shops,” she says. “I’m excited about the future of the entire downtown area.”
Indeed, Hopewell, with a revitalization plan adopted, is poised for a major renovation. And why not? The natural beauty of a small city sloping down to the banks of the Appomattox is apparent. Few places in the nation are as rich historically as is Hopewell. This is indeed a city that deserves revitalization. But, even now, Hopewell is a special place. Cheryl Collins says she especially enjoys the small-town atmosphere. “Everybody knows one another,” she says. “And, they’re anxious to help one another.” Collins has seen this first-hand, as her neighbors have come together to help turn the lights back on in The Beacon. |
