Schwartz Center Engagement

The Schwartz Center, a living legacy

Dover, Delaware is home to the only historic theater in Kent County. With this Opera House completed, Dover became the first town in Delaware outside of Wilmington to have a facility devoted entirely to the arts. It was originally built to house touring vaudeville shows, not operas. By the 1920s, motion pictures predominated. Constructed in 1904 and aptly named the Dover Opera House, this venue was home to live theater productions until it was purchased by George Schwartz in 1922. He built a new facade and marquee, expanded the seating to 900, refashioned the interior in Art Deco style, and renamed the building the Capitol Theater. It flourished for decades, not closing until 1982. After Schwartz’s death, his wife and daughter assumed ownership. In the 1990s, the Friends of the Capitol Theater group was created with the goal of fundraising, restoring, and reopening the theater. The theater was renovated and reopened in 2001 and renamed the Schwartz Center.  As part of Delaware State University’s recent acquisition of nearby Wesley College, Delaware State University (DSU) took over a complete ownership stake in The Schwartz Center.

If you are interested in learning more, please call 302-857-7393.