The Opera Shepherdstown joins W.VA’s historical theater path.

Shepherdstown opera is located on 131 West German Street. Tabita Johnston

Shepherdstown – The opera Shepherdstown joined the historic theater path in West Virginia earlier this month.

The historical theater path was established in 2010 by the Alliance for the Conservation of West Virginia and the Historical Preservation Service of Western Virginia. It seeks to help local theaters throughout the country to continue to provide access to the arts while preserving history and culture around many historic buildings.

The Opera House Shepherdstown itself opened in 1910 after Upton Scott Martin built the building. The performers came and performed regularly. Clifford Musser moved to the building in 1914 and began print a local newspaper called The Independent. The Musser family took over the theater management and eventually bought the building in 1926. The opera is currently owned by Harriet and Steve Pearson, who help to restore and preserve the theater and continue to plan events for the community.

Harriet Pearson was excited by the opera to join the historic theater path. She first learned about the State Directory in 2023, when the Shepherdstown opera won a state award for restoration. Harriet applied because he thought the opera was very appropriate.

“After a five -year trip to preserve and renew the building after a catastrophic flood closed us in 2018, it means a lot of acknowledging our efforts throughout the country,” said Harriet.

Although Pearsons have no experience in theater, they both like to contact artists throughout the area. Through this new recognition, they hope that they will be able to welcome more visitors and give the performers even more opportunities.

“It’s very satisfying, especially these days when we seem to be all on our phones and computers all the time to help collect audiences and performers to share music, art and words in real life,” said Harriet.

In addition to the Shepherdstown opera, three other theaters joined the path, including the Granada Theater in Bluefield, the Robinson Grand Art Center in Clarksburg and the Elk Theater in Sutton. These theaters have had an important impact on local communities and continue to create opportunities for people to study, create and perform.

“It is an incredibly honor for these theaters to join the historic theater path in West Virginia,” “ Jamie Bilman said, Union Conservation Manager for Western Virginia, in a press release. “We really want this path to help create cooperation and connections between these remarkable theaters throughout the country, as well as to provide valuable resources and promotional opportunities for these historical sites.”

To learn more about the historical theater path in West Virginia, visit to learn more about the Shepherdstown opera, visit