An Evolutionary Stage: Discovery World on Market receives $300K for theater renovation

This rendering shows planned improvements to the theater area on the fourth floor of Discovery World on Market in the former Masonic Temple on Market Street in Parkersburg. (Photo provided by Discovery World on Market)

PARKERSBURG — Discovery World on Market is receiving federal assistance for the next phase of its development, a theater space for kids and adults alike.

The Children’s Museum of the MOV Inc., dba Discovery World on Market, was awarded a $300,000 grant by the Historic Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. It will help to support the preservation and repair to the fourth floor theater of the former Masonic Temple building at 900 Market St., Parkersburg.

The money comes through an earmark secured by the office of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., said Wendy Shriver, executive director of Discovery World. Because the funds are tied to historic preservation, certain standards must be followed.

“As soon as everything is blessed, we’ll begin work in 2025,” Shriver said. “It’s estimated to take about six months. We’ll be putting in new seating; we have to redo the stage, redo the plaster work, redo all the lighting in there.”

New carpeting will also be added and there will be painting and fire safety improvements, she said.

This rendering shows planned improvements to the theater area on the fourth floor of Discovery World on Market in the former Masonic Temple on Market Street in Parkersburg. (Photo provided by Discovery World on Market)

“Our goal is to have that completed in 2025 and start programming in that space,” Shriver said.

The theater will play host to children’s programming under the Puppy’s Playhouse banner, as well as events like the museum’s Lego build-off. In addition, she anticipates comedy shows, bands, speakers and movie nights catering to a grown-up crowd without duplicating other local offerings.

“We’re not going to be doing community theater in there,” she said, noting the proximity of the Actors’ Guild of Parkersburg’s theater.

The space can also be rented for events like wedding receptions, Shriver said.

“There’s all kinds of things that we can use that space for,” she said, adding the only available event space in the building now is a second-floor conference room.

The overall cost of the project is about $700,000, with support coming from local donors as well.