YAKIMA, Wash. – The Yakima Capitol Theater is set to host a special commemoration event tonight, August 11 celebrating its survival after a fire almost destroyed it 50 years ago.
The Theatre will host a reception on the Capitol Theatre stage. Attendees can also look forward to free lectures beginning at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
Among the speakers are Brett Baba, an architect, who will discuss the theater’s architecture and history; a firefighter who battled the blaze 50 years ago will also share his experiences; John Baule, a local historian and Forbes Mercy, the grandson of the theater’s original builder.
In 1975, the Capitol Theatre, formerly the Mercy Theatre, had just been sold to the city of Yakima. One night, more than likely due to an electrical fire, the ceiling fell on the velvet seats that faced the stage. Against all odds, and with plenty of help from Yakima’s community, the theater lived and is now what Development Director Sierra Hutton calls the artistic hub of the Valley.
In conjunction with the event, a voicemail line and survey have been set up to collect personal stories connected to the Capitol Theater.
“We know that the Capitol is important to so many people here in Yakima and we know that everybody has a story it seems connected to the Capitol,” Hutton said.
People can either record their memories via voicemail or fill out a form to share their stories in writing.
The collection of stories will continue into the future as the theater aims to gather as many personal histories as possible.
For more information on the voicemail line, the form submissions sheet, and the commemoration event itself, head to the event page on the Theatre’s website
