1898 but was quickly rebuilt and renamed the Washington Opera House. Completely renovated in 2006, this elegant Victorian theater is now owned by the theatrical group The Maysville Players, and each season they host a full lineup of professional productions. Some performances have free admission too, and we enjoyed a terrific free concert by an Elton John impersonator. The historic Russell Theatre at the other end of town was built in 1929 as an “atmospheric” movie theater decorated to evoke a feeling of being outdoors. Built by Col. J.B. Russell, the atmospheric theme of the theater was that of a Mediterranean garden. Russell declared it would be to Maysville what the Roxy was to New York, and for decades it was a very popular movie theater. However, it fell into decline in the 1980s. Concerned citizens bought the dilapidated building in 1996, and a complete restoration is nearing completion. The Russell Theater wasn’t open during our stay; however, the fantastic Kentucky Gateway Museum Center was. This museum features the Kathleen Savage Browning Miniature Collection with dozens of historic building replicas built to an exact 1/12 scale, and the original Russell Theater is one of the exhibits. The centerpiece, however, is a stunning miniature of Princess Diana’s ancestral home, London Spencer House. Peering inside, we could see tiny portraits of Diana.
The historic Russell Theatre.
shaft that went straight down to the floor below. The Asylum Room where many of the rituals took place had a huge mural on the back wall depicting two knights on horseback engaged in a sword fight and, on the ceiling, there was a painting of a crown with a cross through it. Strange symbols were carved into some of the door hinges. The grounds of the museum are equally majestic. A massive courtyard surrounded by the pink- columned facade of the museum is filled with statuary and meticulously pruned landscaping. At the head of these immense gardens stands a replica of Michelangelo’s David between a row of palm trees. With our heads spinning after this tour, Susie suggested we head downstairs to the first floor of the Cox Building where students at the Maysville Institute of Culinary Arts serve fabulous and very inexpensive gourmet meals (under the watchful eye of a professional chef) at the College Café. The café is open only at certain hours, however, so we missed that special gem. But we did enjoy tasty coffee and muffins at the Parc Café’s pretty outdoor patio on several mornings. Maysville has long been a home for the performing arts and was the birthplace of Rosemary Clooney in 1928. Back in 1797, Maysville hosted its first theatrical performance, and the ornate Opera House was built in 1851. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a fire in
The historic Washington Opera House.
MAYSVILLE, KENTUCKY
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SUMMER 2024 | 25
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