About US
The Walhalla Performing Arts Center is a marvelous venue for performances, conferences and special events. The facility is steeped in history and enhances the social life of Upstate South Carolina.
Our Story
The building is significant as it is one of the few early 20th century brick school buildings still in use today in Oconee County.
The building was constructed to serve as the Walhalla Graded School–which taught elementary through high school students. (It was built on what had been a temporary site of Newberry College and Adger College.)
The building’s central portion was the original school constructed in 1903. In 1913 and 1914, additions were built that included an eastern wing and an auditorium.
In 1924, Walhalla High School was built and led to moving older students next door. Elementary students remained in the Graded School and a classroom was added to the rear of the auditorium in the 1950s.
By 1980, the Walhalla Graded School no longer suited the needs of students and the decision was made to build separate elementary and middle schools.
In 1981, once students and teachers had moved out, the School District of Oconee County occupied the building. The district’s administrative offices were housed in the building until 1992. After the school district vacated the building, it sat empty for several years and began to deteriorate.
In the 1990s, a group of concerned citizens had a vision for bringing the building back to life. In 1993 the Walhalla Auditorium Restoration Committee created a charter, obtained a lease and a 501(c)3 designation, and restoration began. It took lots of fundraising, 10 years of hard work, and very dedicated volunteers who were able to bring the vision to reality…A piece of town history was preserved and the building was revitalized to serve the community once again!
The Restoration Committee hosted a Grand Opening of the Walhalla Auditorium in April 2003. The first performance happened in August 2003 when Emile Pandolfi played to a full house. During that time, the Walhalla Auditorium Restoration Committee became the Walhalla Civic Auditorium Corporation, and the building was named the Walhalla Civic Auditorium.
In 2015, the name was changed to Walhalla Performing Arts Center. Since then, thanks to the dedication of Executive Director Mark Thompson and his enthusiastic volunteers, the building has hosted a wide range of talent. Well known musicians and performers visit the small town of Walhalla to perform on the auditorium’s stage.
In 2023-2024, Mark and the WPAC Board of Directors decided it was time to renovate the building’s second story. Old classrooms were turned into spacious lodging (WPAC Suites), offices and a conference room.
More details about the building’s history and construction can be found on this page of The Historical Marker Database.
The Walhalla Performing Arts Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Founder’s Room
Our splendid performing arts center would not be what it is today without the vision and passion of two of Walhalla’s influential citizens, Jean Phillips and Maxie Duke. As educators, both ladies taught in the building during the 1960s. After the building was vacated, time took its toll. By 1993, these women knew that restoration was essential or else the building would continue to deteriorate beyond repair. They were passionate about their dream and stuck with it for 10 long years. Finally, after a decade of fundraising, elbow grease and community partnerships, Jean and Maxie saw their vision come to fruition when the building reopened to the public in 2003.
Thanks to these hardworking women, our historic auditorium retains the character of the bygone era and provides an intimate setting for a wide range of quality entertainers. The Walhalla Performing Arts Center is a beautifully restored building bustling with music and energy.
We encourage you to help us honor our founders by donating to our Legacy Campaign. Funds we raise will go towards ongoing costs associated with the historic building.
Consider our Founder’s Room for our next meeting, party or event.
Make a Lasting Impression at WPAC
Sponsorship and Donor Levels
To become a sponsor or donor of this exciting organization click on the buttons below for the level of your choice in order to pay online through our secure server.
If you prefer to mail your donation or sponsorship, print out the form and mail or bring it to the Walhalla Performing Art Center.
PO Box 523
101 E. North Broad St.
Walhalla, SC 29691
864-638-5277
