Jefferson Center Foundation is a non-profit organization that manages, supports and preserves Jefferson Center, its mission, and uses.

Formerly Jefferson High School, Jefferson Center is located in Roanoke’s western corridor, near the heart of downtown.

Originally constructed in 1922, Jefferson High School served as Roanoke’s largest high school for half a century. Architect H. Coursy Richards employed a Tudor Revival-style popular at the time and Jefferson High School opened its doors to 1,000 students in 1924. The first class to graduate was in 1925 and the last in 1974. From 1924 to 1974 the school graduated over 19,000 students.

The school was closed in 1974 and from then until 1985 the 112,000 square foot building – though still structurally sound – deteriorated badly and was severely vandalized. Full History of Jefferson Center

Jefferson Center opened in 1993 after completion of Phase 1 of extensive and elaborate renovations under the guidance of Jefferson Center Foundation.

A CORNERSTONE OF NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION
Jefferson Center is uniquely positioned as an anchor in Downtown West. Advances in neighborhood revitalization are evident with the recent opening of the Kirk Family YMCA next door. Additionally, a new Arts Center including studio and living space for artists will begin construction soon in the former Cotton Mill building just northwest of the site. Jefferson Center has become a direct contributor to neighborhood stabilization and urban revitalization, uniting people and providing shared cultural experiences.

OUR TENANTS
Jefferson Center reaches deeply into the community and benefits, enhances, enriches and enlivens life for everyone in the region. Jefferson Center not only provides artistic excellence in Shaftman Performance Hall, we are home to 19 essential nonprofit educational, human services, and arts organizations. These organizations nurture and empower so many of our citizens, providing services that dignify, teach and enrich many lives both young and old. They benefit from the financial efficiencies of shared facilities and services provided by Jefferson Center Foundation. This enables them to devote their valuable resources to providing direct assistance to benefit the community.

SHAFTMAN PERFORMANCE HALL -- once the school auditorium -- opened in May 2001. It was modeled after a popular 17th century “shoe box” English opera house design. Consistent with the goal to be a first class performance facility Shaftman Performance Hall has outstanding acoustics and boasts rich, elegant finishes and decorations. The performance hall chairs are made of cherry wood with plush velvet cushions. The balcony, loges and chandeliers add to the spirit of an old world opera house.

Shaftman Performance Hall was the finishing touch to the transformation of the old high school into Jefferson Center and a multipurpose cultural community center. The scope of this cultural attraction is rarely found in a metropolitan area the size of Roanoke, and is a model of the success that can be achieved when local business, government, and nonprofit organizations collaborate to improve the lives of the community’s residents.

Jefferson Center is the perfect place to host your event or enjoy one of ours! From the lavishly renovated Shaftman Performance Hall to the dramatic and elegant Fralin Atrium, and Fitzpatrick Hall, Jefferson Center is designed to provide the community with a gathering place it can cherish, embrace and enjoy. Live performances, theatre, and musical productions, receptions, meetings and seminars as well as art shows in the Gallery are all at home at Jefferson Center -- a first-rate venue for classical and contemporary events.

Jefferson Center Foundation is largely dependent upon individual and corporate contributions to maintain the historic 81-year-old building, to support the daily operations of the Foundation, and to continue the excellent programs that are the hallmark of Jefferson Center’s value to the region and community.

Together we achieve a great deal. Your support, our collective vision, and community participation have all converged to create this magnificent place we know as Jefferson Center – providing a facility that offers a richly rewarding experience of artistic excellence in beautiful surroundings where you are greeted with an open and welcoming spirit. It’s unequalled anywhere else in the Roanoke region.

Your tax-deductible contributions support the mission and work of Jefferson Center Foundation.

More information on how you may support Jefferson Center Foundation