The Farr Best Theater, a 156-seat venue in downtown Mansfield, is a treasured piece of Mansfield history.
Opened on October 10, 1917, by Milton May Farr, the theater was originally named the Best Farr Theater, and became known as the Farr Best in 1950. For 58 continuous years, it was operated by Milton and Annie Farr and their nine children. In addition to the theater, Milton Farr oversaw the installation of the first electric lights in the city and a modernized water system, first at the theater, then throughout town.
After several owners and uses, the City of Mansfield purchased the theater in 2017 to preserve the historic building and restore it to its original purpose. Today, it serves as a community arts venue and home to eight local performing arts organizations through the Mansfield Cultural Incubator Program. These local groups host concerts, theatrical productions, comedy and magic shows, film screenings, paranormal investigations, and a variety of performing arts classes for the community, filling the space with unique, high-quality, reasonably priced events for Mansfield residents and visitors to enjoy.