• 176 pages
• 9 x 12
• Hardcover
• ISBN 978-1939710-628
• Copyright 2017

By Jennifer Hollon

It was the dream of Charles Webb Murphy to build a beautiful theater as a gift to the people of his hometown; a place to escape everyday life and be entertained. 

In 2018, the Murphy Theatre Board of Directors will host The Centennial Celebration of The Historic Murphy Theatre. It's an appropriate time to honor the memories and share the stories of the people, the entertainment, and the monument, itself. Within, are hundreds of bits of information and beautiful photographs about its rich and glorious past and present. 

For a century now, it has remained the center of entertainment for Wilmington, Ohio, its extended community, and a large part of southwestern Ohio. The Murphy can boast of having more people pass through its doors than any other business in Clinton County. 

The history it holds includes the evolution of live entertainment, the rise of the motion picture industry, and the stories of the men and women who were, and are, its caretakers. It is also a testimonial to its founder, Charles Webb Murphy, who grew up in this community and touched the world around him, but left his legacy in this monument on Main Street. In 1918, it was a grand entertainment palace located in a small rural town. Today, after one hundred years, it still echoes the sounds of applause offering entertainment for its audiences while remaining authentic to its architecture and its interior artistry. The stories and memories of the stars, the movies, and the talents who have graced its stage, reflect the growth and challenges of this community, as well as those of the world.