This building was erected in 1831. During the Depression of 1932, Robert Porterfield founded the Barter Theatre to bring together hungry actors and farmers with a supply of produce. Barter Foundation Incorporated serves as a non-profit educational and cultural experiment to give the people of Virginia and its guests and tourists an opportunity to observe works by some of the world’s most distinguished playwrights performed by competent artists. The Barter Theatre pledges itself to combat forces that would destroy culture and enlightenment by giving its best strength and devotion to truth, beauty, and the spiritual nourishment of the human soul. Its purpose is to better the human spirit, enrich the human soul through laughter, tears, or a smile, challenge the thoughts of intelligent people, reflect honest society through experiences both familiar and new, add insight to the hidden, bring depth to the obvious through images and visual stimulation using the best of contemporary theatrical devices, and ultimately touch hearts, challenge minds, and reach the souls of all who enter its doors, young and old.