PRIVATE CONCEPT DRAFT · Archive & first partner collection in development
Deekie, the Deep Creek Lake dragonHISTORICDEEP CREEK LAKE
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Gathering places

The Blue Barn

When an old barn became a summer stage.

History explored: The Blue Barn on Beckman’s Peninsula

Framed watercolor illustration of the Blue Barn building.
Collection artwork

An archival illustration of the Blue Barn, preserved in the DCL100 collection. Artist and date not identified.

DCL100 collection; artist unidentified · DCL100 image collection ↗Included from Chris’s DCL100 collection for this private draft. Copyright ownership and permission for a public launch still need review.
DEEP CREEK SANDWICH SHOP COLLECTION · EDITORIAL HISTORY

The Blue Barn on Beckman’s Peninsula

The Blue Barn was part of the Garrett County Playhouse story: a summer theatre that brought live performance to the lake. A history drawing on the Garrett County Historical Society’s archives identifies Barbara and Gene Yell as the founders of the theatre group.

The Yells met as theatre students. Gene later taught at the University of New Mexico and brought students to Garrett County for intensive summer experience in front of a live audience. The performers stayed at Hemlock Hollow, Barbara’s family vacation home in Pleasant Valley.

The Playhouse occupied more than one location, and its Blue Barn years became especially memorable. By the winter of 1998, the local Property Owners’ Association newsletter was already looking back fondly on the former summer theatre. This was a cultural landmark as well as an unusual reuse of a farm building.

Summer seasonsStudent actors perform for lake audiences
1998Newsletter remembers the former theatre

Follow the story

Sources used for this page. Historical interpretation is separate from the current menu.

  1. Mountain Discoveries · Garrett County Playhouse (2017)

    Historical-society archives and the theatre founded by Barbara and Gene Yell.

  2. Deep Creek Lake Property Owners’ Association · Winter 1998 Dispatch

    A contemporary newsletter remembers the former Blue Barn summer theatre.

STAY A LITTLE LONGER

Another name.
Another story.

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