Storyboard celebrates Shubert Theatre and site's return to the arts
The storyboard shares the history of the Shubert Theatre, which once stood at the site now occupied by the Cornell Complex.
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Joplin, Missouri – Visit Joplin invites the community to celebrate the unveiling of a new Joplin Heritage Trail storyboard honoring the Shubert Theatre with a ribbon-cutting on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 10:00 am.
This ceremony will include a ribbon cutting by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and will take place on the north side of the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex ( 212 West 7th Street ).
The storyboard shares the history of the Shubert Theatre, which once stood at the site now occupied by the Cornell Complex. Its installation marks a full-circle moment for the property, connecting its theatrical past with its renewed role as a gathering place for arts, culture, and entertainment.
Funding for the sign was provided by the Leadership Joplin Class of 2026, a program of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. The sign is part of the class's "Joplin: Beyond Route 66" project, which encourages residents and visitors to explore the people, places, and stories that have shaped the city.
The storyboard's text was written by Jill Halbach, Executive Director of Post Art Library, and Emily Frankoski, Executive Director of Connect2Culture.
Both have served in leadership positions on the City of Joplin's Historic Preservation Commission, contributing their time and expertise to preserving and sharing Joplin's history.
Developed by the City of Joplin's Celebrations Commission in preparation for the city's 150 th birthday, the Joplin Heritage Trail connects people with local history through interpretive storyboards at significant locations throughout the community. Each sign provides an opportunity to discover the stories behind familiar places and better understand their role in Joplin's development. This is the 11 th marker with several more in the works. Others are in Landreth Park, Spiva Park, and at the Tin Cup trailhead.
The Shubert Theatre storyboard adds an important chapter to that story: Joplin's longstanding connection to the arts. Today, the Cornell Complex is home to Connect2Culture, Joplin's community arts agency and performing arts presenter, and Spiva Center for the Arts, dedicated to the visual arts. Together, these organizations have returned the site to its historic purpose as a place where people gather to experience creativity and entertainment.
The public is welcome to attend the ribbon-cutting, view the new storyboard, and celebrate the collaboration that made this addition to the Heritage Trail possible.
