Donk’s Theater in Mathews has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Joanna Mullins Nix, a member of the Donk’s extended family of country music performers, said the news came as a bit of a surprise when she was notified last Friday. Although the theater had been named to the Virginia Landmarks Register, and most Virginia entries are accepted to the national listing, she had been told the chance of acceptance "didn’t look strong."

However, she said, the eight-foot-tall sidelights mounted on the interior side walls of the building were an important feature, along with the fact that the structure is one of the few Art Deco-style theaters still standing. Built in the U.S. in the mid-20th century, most had been demolished by the century’s end, she said.

According to the nomination form, the Donk’s property qualifies under two criteria. The theater "is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to th...