Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts - (800) 899-5759

Red Wing's historic Sheldon Performing Arts Theatre is committed to showcasing the best arts and entertainment for the enjoyment, education, and enlightenment of the community and its visitors.

Red Wing's turn-of-the-century Sheldon Theatre showcases the best in arts and entertainment from Minnesota's heartland and beyond. It operates year-round, presenting a broad range of touring events including music, theatre, dance, comedy, films, lectures and more. The Sheldon also produces its own shows starring local artists and performing arts groups including The Sheldon Theatre Brass Band, The Phoenix Theatre and The Red Wing Singers.

Built in 1904 with funds from local businessman T.B. Sheldon, The Sheldon is the country's first city-owned theatre. In 1986 it was gloriously restored to its original grandeur. Described as a "glittering jewel box," it charms performers and audiences alike.

The public/private partnership that created the Sheldon Theatre began at the start of the twentieth century when Theodore B. Sheldon, a successful businessman and Red Wing City Council member, bestowed $83,000 in trust to the City of Red Wing. Along with the funds, he stipulated that the money was to be used to develop a public institution for "some public benefit but nonsectarian purpose in the said City of Red Wing."

The trust directors, including Sheldon's second wife Annie, decided upon a theater — the first municipally owned theater in the United States. In 1904, four years after Sheldon's passing, construction was complete on the T. B. Sheldon Memorial Auditorium.

When the theatre first opened, the interior was such a celebration of arches, delicate plaster sculpture, decorative painting and many other rich detail elements that it caused The Sheldon to be described as a "jewel box." This grand venue played host to large traveling shows, which were prevalent in those days.

But the 1929 stock market crash and the advent of films led to the demise of such entertainment. In 1936, the theater underwent a major renovation to make it an appropriate venue for moviegoers. The interior layout was redone and seating was increased. As time progressed, additional alterations were made, including the addition of a snack bar in the foyer. Unfortunately, little thought was given to preserving the fine architectural details of the original theatre during this series of changes.

In the 1970s, as competition from multi-screen movie houses and television increased and The Sheldon's operating revenues decreased, the city began to consider alternative uses for the theater.


A special task force in 1984 began to study the idea of restoring the theater to its original elegance and using it as a home for live performing arts. In 1986, the citizens of Red Wing passed, by an 85% majority of the vote, a $1.5 million bond issue to help fund the restoration of the theater. An additional $2 million was raised through private contributions, In all $3.5 million was generated for the restoration of the theater and the endowment of its future. The theater was closed to the public and restoration began in 1986.

The totally-restored Sheldon Theatre again opened its doors to the public, this time as a showcase for the best local, regional and national arts and entertainment. Because the original second and third floor gallery area were converted to a multi-image screening facility and technical area, theater seating has been reduced to 466 seats. But in every other aspect, the theater has returned to its original 1904 design.

Did you know?

• The Sheldon was built in 1904 with an $83,000 bequest from Theodore B. Sheldon, a successful businessman and Red Wing City Council member.

• In 1936, the theater was renovated to make it more appropriate for showing films, and much of the original "jewel box" decor was stripped.

• The theater closed its doors in the 1970s. A renovation project was launched in the 1980s, restoring its original splendor.

• The Sheldon re-opened to the public for live performances in 1986.

Tags: Concert Venue,Theater,Comedy Club