| Year(s) Listed: • 2017 |
| City/Town: • Arkansas City |
| Location Class: • Theater |
| Built: 1924 | Year Saved: ~2004 |
| Awards: • Medallion Award |
| Contributor: Kansas Preservation Alliance |
The Burford Theatre was constructed in 1924 in downtown Arkansas City. The Theatre was designed by the Boller Brothers, renowned for their innovative designs, and who traveled across the Midwest designing over 100 theatres in the first half of the 20th century, 30 of them in Kansas. In South Central Kansas only three Boller Brothers theaters remain open, the Burford Theatre being one of them. In 2003 B&B Theatres donated the building to the Arkansas City Area Arts Council. This group spearheaded the rehabilitation forming The Burford Restoration and Rehabilitation Project to save the community landmark. Since the formation of the Burford Rehabilitation Project over $6.8 million dollars have been donated by more than 600 donors. With the multi-year Burford Theatre Rehabilitation nearing completion, the community is able to walk into the theatre and take a step back in time, experiencing how the venue may have appeared to the residents of Arkansas City more than 90 years ago.