Gem Theater to open doors for Labor Day fundraiser

For the first time since undergoing years of renovation work, the historic Gem Theater in Pioche will welcome the public inside for an open house fundraiser during Pioche’s Labor Day weekend festivities.

Friends of Gem Theater will host the event Saturday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving visitors a chance to see firsthand the progress made inside the historic theater.

The open house comes after approximately six years of work on the building. While residents and visitors have watched the Gem’s exterior transformation take shape through the refurbishment of its iconic marquee, masonry repairs, roofing and new paint, much of the work has taken place behind closed doors.

“People have seen the exterior change with the marquee refurbishment, block masonry repair, roofing, and new paint, but haven’t been able to see the bulk of work we’ve done to the inside,” Friends of Gem Theater President Melissa Clary said.

For $10 admission, visitors will be able to tour limited areas of the theater, receive popcorn and get one raffle ticket for a chance to win a Gem merchandise package valued at $150. Additional raffle tickets and Gem merchandise will also be available for purchase.

The fundraiser will also help cover the ongoing expenses associated with maintaining the historic building and protecting the restoration work already completed. Friends of Gem Theater hopes to raise $6,000 toward annual utility and maintenance costs. According to the organization, heating and cooling the building can cost approximately $500 per month, with climate control necessary to help protect new and restored historic finishes.

The nonprofit continues to work toward reopening the Gem as a fully functioning movie theater in 2028, contingent on funding and approvals for the remaining phases of the project.

“We are happy to welcome people in to see the restoration up close and we are grateful for the continued support of the Gem Theater as we work toward reopening,” Clary said.

Built in 1937, the Gem served generations of Lincoln County moviegoers before closing in 2002 after a windstorm damaged the building. The theater was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.

Friends of Gem Theater, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has led the effort to rehabilitate the property and preserve its place in Pioche and Nevada history.