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Through its fiery history, a variety of entertainers have been to Liberty Hall. Contemporary musicians and performers
stand on the same stage as did those of the past century. Present day owners, David and Susan Millstein continue to
make improvements and strive to maintain Bowersock’s original intention: to bring culture and civility to Lawrence.
The original Greek revival murals in the main concert hall were lost over the many changes of ownership during the
past century. Ceiling murals added in the 1986 renovations show an ascension into the heavens: from the sky to the
stars, then to the planets and heavens. These murals bring an unparalleled beauty to one of the most historic cultural
cornerstones in Kansas.

The Missouri Theater, St. Joseph, MO

The 1,500 seat Missouri Theater opened June 25, 1927, with Rough House Rosie, an 18-minute silent feature with
25 cent admission. A prodigious young artist from Baxter Springs, KS, Waylande Gregory, created all the plaster
ornamentation at the age of 21.
The Missouri Theater was designed by noted theater
architects Boller Brothers of Kansas City, Missouri at a
cost of $1 million for Paramount Studios. The theater
balcony overlooks a house resembling a tented courtyard,
decorated with elements from Assyrian and Persian
architecture. The theater was principally designed for
movies, but could also host live performances, with
dressing rooms, a fly loft and an orchestra pit. It originally
featured a Wurlitzer theater organ, sadly no longer in the
theater.
Opening right before the Great Depression, it was one of
the last “movie palaces” built in the atmospheric style.
Photo Credit: Stephen McAlister
It remained a cinema until 1970, undergoing a series
of unfortunate “modernizations.” After closing, it sat
derelict and was slated to be razed during the “urban
renewal” that claimed so many downtown structures.
With the vision and funding of concerned citizens, the
building was saved. Originally managed by a community
arts group in 1976, the city bought the theater in 1978,
and it was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places in 1979. (NRHP #79001353). A major renovation
was done in 2002 and smaller projects continue along
with regular maintenance. Two fires threatened the
theater, once in 2009 and again in 2011. Thankfully, all
the damage was quickly repaired.

Today, it is home to Performing Arts Association,
Robidoux Resident Theater, The St Joseph Symphony,
Creative Arts Productions and Dance Arts Center, to
name a few. The current capacity is 1,174 due to seat
replacements and ADA accommodations. The event
calendar is full for all but a handful of weekends each
year.

47th National Conference & Theatre Tour July 2023 INLEAGUE | PAGE 37