Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA, circa 1946

Subjects: Crowds & Gatherings Street Scenes Theaters & Opera Houses
Card type: Chrome
Date: c. 1946 (Chrome)

Back of Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA, circa 1946, c. 1946 chrome postcard — Back

About this postcard

A crowd gathers on the sidewalk outside the Barter Theatre, a brick playhouse with a marquee and a banner for the Barter Players. The marquee advertises year-round performances and curtain times at 2:00 and 8:00. Robert Porterfield founded the theatre in Abingdon during the Depression, when actors bartered performances for food from local farms. It became the State Theatre of Virginia, and the adjacent Barter Playhouse staged daily children's matinees.

Postcard Details

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PublisherHaynes Distributing Co.

PLAYING YEAR 'ROUND BARTER THEATRE CURTAIN AT 2:00 AND 8:00 THE WORLD-FAMOUS BARTER PLAYERS 75c-50c-MAT.2:00 EVE.8:30 The State Theatre of Virginia --- THE BARTER THEATRE ABINGDON, VIRGINIA The Barter Theatre, State Theatre of Virginia, is the oldest and largest legitimate year 'round professional theatre south of the Mason-Dixon Line. This theatre was founded by Robert Porterfield during the Depression on the theory that drama and food could be bartered. Matinee & evening performances at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. EST. BARTER PLAYHOUSE - Adjacent, gives children's plays daily at 2:00 p.m. EST. Photography by Joyce L. Haynes Post Card PLACE STAMP HERE Pub. by Haynes Distributing Co., 2930 Fleetwood Ave. S.W., Roanoke, Va. MADE BY DEXTER PRESS, INC. WEST NYACK, NEW YORK 76797-B

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Postcard record

Publisher	Haynes Distributing Co.
Series	76797-B
Condition	Very good
Place mentioned	Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA
Publisher	Haynes Distributing Co., 2930 Fleetwood Ave. S.W., Roanoke, VA
Notes	Chrome color photo postcard; no white border; appears unused on front. No postmark; unused card. Divided back, glossy chrome-era color card. Printed publisher imprint and caption on back; no handwritten message or address. Slight corner wear.

Cite this card

Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA, circa 1946, postcard, c. 1946. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/barter-theatre-abingdon-va-circa-1946. Accessed November 2, 2026.