The DAW Foundation

01/06/2026

Introducing "Talkies" – A New Podcast from the Heart of Tappahannock! Launching later this month – stay tuned and follow us for updates!!

Big things are happening in our small town! As the historic Tappahannock Theatre undergoes a renovation, we're thrilled to launch "Talkies" – a brand-new podcast that brings you behind the scenes of this exciting transformation.

Hosted by Beth Sharpe, "Talkies" will feature:

>> Interviews with local personalities and passionate community members
>> Exclusive updates on the theater’s restoration progress
>> Insights into fundraising efforts and how YOU can get involved

Whether you're a history buff, a theater lover, or just love seeing Tappahannock thrive, this podcast is for you!

👉 Donate today and be part of something special:
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=EWWXX5HVRLXMG

Let’s keep the curtain rising for generations to come! 🎟️🍿

12/24/2025

Cozy up with cherished holiday movie memories. What are your favorite holiday films? Did The DAW Theatre play a part in any of them? Also, is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?

Let us know in the captions.

Support our theatre revilization project by visiting www.thedawfoundation.org.

11/18/2025

New Website, New Campaigns, New Momentum!
The DAW Theatre Foundation has launched a newly updated website at www.thedawfoundation.org, where visitors can explore the theatre’s history, sign up for newsletters, local theater history, campaigns and donor information, follow the progress of its restoration, and more!

The DAW Theatre Foundation has also restructured its giving campaigns under the banner “Our Town, Our Theatre.” This initiative offers three meaningful ways to contribute:
👉 Project-Based Giving – Support specific stages of the restoration.
👉 Personalized Gifts – Honor a loved one or business with a permanent tribute inside the theatre.
👉Annual Fund: “Keeping the Lights On” – Help ensure the theatre’s long-term sustainability. Each campaign is designed with transparency and impact in mind.

If you have questions about the upcoming fundraising initiatives, the DAW Theatre, or would like to sign up for our newsletter, visit us at www.thedawfoundation.org.

Located in Tappahannock’s historic district, The DAW Theatre opened in 1939 and quickly became a cultural hub, offering films, live performances, and community events. After surviving a major fire in 1949 and undergoing a full renovation in 1982, it served the community until closing in the late 1...

11/11/2025

🎬 Have You Seen These Classic War Films at The DAW? 🇺🇸
Today, on Veterans Day, we honor and thank all who have served. Your courage and sacrifice inspire us every day. 🙏

To commemorate this day, we’re looking back at some of the most powerful war movies ever shown at The DAW Theatre. From gripping tales of heroism to unforgettable cinematic moments—have you experienced these classics on the big screen with us?

📽️ Patton
📽️ Kelly's Heros
📽️ M*A*S*H
📽️ Good Morning Vietnam
📽️ The Guns of Navarone

Let us know in the comments which ones you’ve seen at The DAW Theatre—or which you'd love to see again!

🎖️ Thank you, Veterans. Your stories deserve to be told, remembered, and honored. 🎖️

Visit us at www.thedawfoundation.org to donate or for more information about our revitalization efforts.

11/10/2025

🎭✨ Reviving History, Inspiring the Future! The DAW Foundation is on a mission to restore the iconic 1930s-era DAW Theatre in Tappahannock, VA — transforming it into a vibrant hub for arts, entertainment, and education across the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. Let’s set the stage for a cultural renaissance in downtown Tappahannock. YOUR SUPPORT brings the arts to life — for today and generations to come.

🔗 Learn more & donate: thedawfoundation.org

💡 How You Can Help:
A new campaign has launched to guide our community through the exciting journey of restoring the DAW Theatre. With a clear roadmap and visual updates, supporters can see exactly what’s been done and what’s still ahead. Transparency is at the heart of this effort—every dollar donated is used purposefully to move the project forward. Our Town, Our Theatre Campaign. Help us raise the curtain, one stage at time.

STAGE 1: Feasibility Study
A professional study confirmed what our community hoped: restoring the DAW Theatre is both possible and sustainable. It laid out the theatre’s potential for economic impact, cultural value, and long-term success—giving us the green light to move forward.
COMPLETED! Cost $50K

STAGE 2: Façade & Marquee Restoration
The theatre’s face has been renewed! The exterior façade is restored, and a new glowing marquee now lights up Main Street. This visible transformation signaled the DAW’s revival to the community and built excitement for what’s ahead.
COMPLETED! Cost $30K

STAGE 3: Historic Designation
The DAW is now officially recognized by the National Park Service on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Register of Historic Places—the ONLY commercial building in Essex County with this honor. This designation opens access to significant funding in state and federal tax credits.
COMPLETED! Cost $15K

STAGE 4: Getting Ready for the Spotlight
Now it’s time for our community to step up and make a difference! We’re working to raise $1M locally to show that residents truly believe in this project. Hitting this goal will unlock additional funding from state and federal programs, including historic tax credits and grants — multiplying the impact of every $1 we raise. Lights, Camera, ACTION! Renovations, the heavy lifting begins—restoring the DAW from the inside out.
In Progress! Stage 4 Total Cost $3.3M

LAST STAGE: Grand Opening Celebrations!

See less

11/03/2025

In a world where love stories often fade, Willard and Marian Bowen’s romance has stood the test of time. This March, the couple will celebrate an extraordinary 70 years of marriage — a journey that began with a playful moment and a heartfelt line at the DAW Theatre in 1953.

It was a night like any other. Marian, then a high school sophomore, was at the movies with her sister watching "The World in His Arms," a seafaring adventure starring Gregory Peck. As popcorn flew through the air, a charming young man named Willard leaned over and said, “I wish you were in my arms.” That bold, sweet line sparked a connection that would last a lifetime. The two began dating shortly after and were married in 1955. Over the decades, their love has grown to include a beautiful family: 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

Their story is a testament to enduring love, shared laughter, and the power of a single moment to change everything. As they celebrate this remarkable milestone, Willard and Marian continue to inspire everyone around them with their devotion, warmth, and unwavering bond.

Please contact us if you have a story you would like to share of the DAW Theatre! We would love to hear from you. With the DAW, it's more than a renovation. It’s a revival. The goal: to reopen as a vibrant venue for movies, live theatre, and entertainment, honoring its legacy while inspiring a new generation. Visit https://thedawfoundation.org to donate or email us at [email protected] to share your story.

10/16/2025

🎬✨ Look What We Found in the DAW Archives! ✨🎬
Tucked away in the reels of history, we uncovered the original trailer for The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear! Yes, the hilariously chaotic sequel starring Leslie Nielsen as Lt. Frank Drebin—bumbling, brave, and totally unforgettable. Did you watch the movie back in 1991?

But that’s not all...
📍 Reviving a Landmark: The DAW Theatre Returns!
Nestled in Tappahannock’s historic district, The DAW Theatre has seen it all—glamour, fire, Titanic (literally), and decades of memories. After years of silence, it’s finally coming back to life! BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!

🎟️ Help Us Light Up the Stage
This isn’t just a renovation—it’s a revival. A tribute to the past and a gift to the future. Come be part of the story. Visit www.thedawfoundation.org for more information.

10/09/2025

Check it out ya'll! Thanks for all our local media and community! We appreciate your support.

The DAW Theater, a cultural landmark in Tappahannock’s historic district, has long lain dormant, but a renewed effort is underway to reopen the doors.

10/08/2025

🎭✨ Reviving History, Inspiring the Future! ✨🎭
The DAW Foundation is on a mission to restore the iconic 1930s-era DAW Theatre in Tappahannock, VA — transforming it into a vibrant hub for arts, entertainment, and education across the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck.

💡 How You Can Help:
A new campaign has launched to guide our community through the exciting journey of restoring the DAW Theatre. With a clear roadmap and visual updates, supporters can see exactly what’s been done and what’s still ahead. Transparency is at the heart of this effort—every dollar donated is used purposefully to move the project forward. Our Town, Our Theatre Campaign. Help us raise the curtain, one stage at time.

STAGE 1: Feasibility Study
A professional study confirmed what our community hoped: restoring the DAW Theatre is both possible and sustainable. It laid out the theatre’s potential for economic impact, cultural value, and long-term success—giving us the green light to move forward.
COMPLETED! Cost $50K

STAGE 2: Façade & Marquee Restoration
The theatre’s face has been renewed! The exterior façade is restored, and a new glowing marquee now lights up Main Street. This visible transformation signaled the DAW’s revival to the community and built excitement for what’s ahead.
COMPLETED! Cost $30K

STAGE 3: Historic Designation
The DAW is now officially recognized by the National Park Service on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Register of Historic Places—the only commercial building in Essex County with this honor. Beyond prestige, this designation opens access to significant funding in state and federal tax credits.
COMPLETED! Cost $15K

STAGE 4: Getting Ready for the Spotlight
Now it’s time for our community to step up and make a difference! We’re working to raise $1M locally to show that residents truly believe in this project. Hitting this goal will unlock additional funding from state and federal programs, including historic tax credits and grants — multiplying the impact of every $1 we raise. Lights, Camera, ACTION! Renovations, the heavy lifting begins—restoring the DAW from the inside out.
In Progress! Stage 4 Total Cost $3.3M

LAST STAGE: Grand Opening Celebrations!

Let’s set the stage for a cultural renaissance in downtown Tappahannock. Your support brings the arts to life — for today and generations to come. 💖

🔗 Learn more & donate: thedawfoundation.org

10/04/2025

🌟 Meet Beth Sharpe, the new Board Chair of the DAW Theatre Foundation! Today, she’s out in Essex County, sharing her passion for revitalizing the historic DAW Theatre and driving its fundraising mission forward. With deep roots in community and a love for the arts, Beth is dedicated to preserving our town’s unique spirit while inspiring civic engagement for a brighter future.

Swing by and say hello to Beth at the Northern Neck Conservancy’s Boots and Barbecue event at Wheatland—let’s support the restoration of this treasured local gem together! Sign up for the raffle for the gift basket!

Interested in donating or signing up for the newsletter? Visit, www.thedawfoundation.org.

10/01/2025

Announcing New Cast Members Join the DAW Theatre Foundation Board

The DAW Theatre Foundation is proud to introduce new leadership and board members who are passionate about the arts and community revitalization:

Beth Sharpe, the new Board Chair, brings her experience from Tappahannock’s Main Street revitalization efforts to the helm of the DAW’s fundraising mission. Her love for community and the arts is now focused on restoring this historic gem. Beth lives in Tappahannock with her husband and their two children. She is actively involved in community service through organizations such as the Girl Scouts and the Junior Woman’s Club, where she supports youth development and local outreach efforts. Her commitment to preserving the town’s character and fostering civic engagement makes her a passionate advocate for the DAW's restoration and future.

Bernadette “Bernie” Barclay, a Tappahannock resident for 14 years, joins the board with over 30 years of marketing and communications experience. She is currently serving as the Multimedia Specialist at Rappahannock Community College, Bernie is a passionate advocate for the DAW’s revival and a proud stepmother and “Gigi” to two grandchildren.

Janet Little, a professor of English at Rappahannock Community College, is pursuing her Doctorate in Arts in English Pedagogy. Originally from Richlands, Virginia, Janet brings grant writing expertise and a deep love for cinema and theatre to the board.

If you have questions about the upcoming fundraising initiatives, the DAW Theatre, or would like to sign up for our newsletter, Board Chair, Beth Sharpe will be available to chat at the Northern Neck Conservancy’s Boots and Barbecue Celebration on Saturday, October 4. Join her at Wheatland in Essex County, VA!



Rappahannock Community College

09/29/2025

New Website, New Campaigns, New Momentum!

The DAW Theatre Foundation has launched a newly updated website at www.thedawfoundation.org, where visitors can explore the theatre’s history, sign up for newsletters, local theater history, campaigns and donor information, follow the progress of its restoration, and more!

The DAW Theatre Foundation has also restructured its giving campaigns under the banner “Our Town, Our Theatre.” This initiative offers three meaningful ways to contribute:

👉 Project-Based Giving – Support specific stages of the restoration.
👉 Personalized Gifts – Honor a loved one or business with a permanent tribute inside the theatre.
👉Annual Fund: “Keeping the Lights On” – Help ensure the theatre’s long-term sustainability. Each campaign is designed with transparency and impact in mind.

If you have questions about the upcoming fundraising initiatives, the DAW Theatre, or would like to sign up for our newsletter, Board Chair, Beth Sharpe will be available to chat at the Northern Neck Conservancy’s Boots and Barbecue Celebration on Saturday, October 4. Join her at Wheatland in Essex County, VA!

Located in Tappahannock’s historic district, The DAW Theatre opened in 1939 and quickly became a cultural hub, offering films, live performances, and community events. After surviving a major fire in 1949 and undergoing a full renovation in 1982, it served the community until closing in the late 1...