The Mancos Opera House, originally established by partners, A.J. Ames and George Woods in 1910, has been a landmark in the Mancos Valley and surrounding Four Corners area. It was designed to serve the surrounding community in a variety of ways. The ground floor was developed for commercial enterprises, while the second floor provided a place for community gatherings, serving the local community’s social and cultural needs. It is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5231 of Mancos, Colorado purchased the two-story masonry and brick building with its Historic Mancos Opera House in 1953, shortly after receiving its charter. Today we are working hard to restore this historic treasure through the volunteer efforts of our active VFW Post and Auxiliary members and contributions from the community, we have come a long way in our efforts.  We are pursuing grants to help us with the major work needed to have the building back in its original appearance as we celebrate her 100th birthday in 2010 .

As a unique center for community activity, throughout its history, the Mancos Opera House has been the site of countless high school graduations, basketball games, dances, and boxing matches. Performances of note included J.P. Morgan, who once resided in Mancos, and Diane Keaton (aka. Diane Hall), who performed with a visiting 1965 Summer Stock cast, in “Little Mary Sunshine.” A final performance in the theater was the Operetta “Spring Time” performed by the Mancos High School Drama Group in 1968.

Today, the building continues to be used by the VFW for its meetings, and through the efforts of its members, community volunteers and members of the 501(c)3 MOHARPS, we are proud to say we have brought the Opera House to a condition that has
enabled us to offer the facility, once again, for proms, school plays, theater group productions and concerts by various performing artists. For instance, THE J.S. TRIO, was taped live during an event in October 2007. The Cortez High Desert Theater performed a two week run of the Broadway musical, CHICAGO in July 2008; Michael Martin Murphey entertained a nearly sold out audience in November 2008; and Jazz musician, Bruce Cockburn  performed to a delighted capacity audience in April 2009.

If you are ever passing through Mancos, don't miss an opportunity to stop by and visit our Post and this great historic building.