Victoria Opera House

The last remaining historical opera house in Fairfield County

The BDRC conducted several types of events in the VOH over the years, but the building was (except for the Village Offices in the rear walk out lower level) without utilities or much else. Since the theater ceased functioning as a movie house in the early 1960s the auditorium was used to store junk. The Masonic Temple abandoned the ballroom on the upper floor in the 1980s.

Built in 1905, it is the last historic opera house in Fairfield County. Abandoned by all but thousands of honeybees in the tin ceiling, at least two groups tried to restore the VOH to use before the BDRC signed a lease for the space in 2013.

Since then, with the support of the Village, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, Fairfield County Foundation, BDRC volunteers, and countless community sponsors and donors, the VOH has been painted inside, a restroom has been installed, new lighting and HVAC are operational, and an accessible ramp has been added to the side of the building. Window replacement is now commencing, though there are dozens of aging windows, and that will take time and money. Restoring the VOH has been a labor of love, and the project has occupied much of the group’s time. Much work remains to be done.

The VOH is now available for rent for weddings and other events. Shelley Brady is the events coordinator at the Opera House.

Please note that you want your donation to go toward the Victoria Opera House Restoration, and 100% of your donation will go towards the restoration of the Victoria Opera House, either through building supplies, advertising, events and fundraisers at the VOH, and much needed updates and renovations to the building inside and out.