The Pollard Theatre site was originally home to a large wooden dry goods store built shortly after the Land Run of 1889. The current brick and native stone structure was constructed in 1901 as the Patterson Furniture Store, which also served as the local funeral parlor, reflecting the tradition of cabinet makers providing coffins.
In 1919, George Pollard acquired the building and transformed it into a vaudeville theatre, initially named the Pollard Theatre, showcasing live acts and silent films. By 1929, with the rise of talkies, A.R. Powell renovated the space, adding a large stage and one of the earliest sound systems in the state, and renamed it the Melba. The Powell family operated the theatre until 1984, when it closed.
The Guthrie Arts & Humanities Council then restored the venue, enhancing it for live performances with a 30-foot proscenium stage and a new fly-rail system, reinstating its original name, the Pollard Theatre. Established in 1982 to promote the arts and boost tourism in historic Guthrie—Oklahoma’s territorial and original state capital—the council brought renowned artists to the area.
In 1987, the Pollard Theatre Company was formed in partnership with Langston University, but after state budget cuts ended the partnership in 2003, the Pollard board decided to operate independently.
Guthrie has become a vibrant tourist destination, celebrated for its restored Victorian architecture and rich history. The Pollard Theatre remains a cornerstone of the local economy and a hub of entertainment, continuing to engage audiences for nearly a century.
