The theatre is owned by the Columbus Capital Foundation and periodically used as an event space for a variety of acts, including musicians, comedians, and paranormal investigators.

During the 18 years the building functioned as Keith's Arcade, it was home to restaurants, a plumbing supply store, law offices, and a clothing shop, to name a few.

In March, 1889, Crump and Sparrell traveled to Madison, Indiana to tour Louis Holwager's Grand Opera House.

[7] Sparrell and Crump worked together in the selection of nationally renowned theatrical firms that specialized in interior theater design and scenic painting.

In June, the Sosman & Landis Scene Painting Studio, Chicago, Illinois, was chosen to create scenic backdrops for the theatre.

The words, Keith's, Arcade, A. D. 1871, embedded within each arch at the top of the building, were removed and replaced with "Crump's New Theatre."

Crump's New Theatre opened October 30, 1889 with the Norcross Opera Company, Chicago performing the play, "The Pretty Persian," by well known French composer Charles Lecocq.

The size of the stage could accommodate the large, hand painted scenes that were tailored specifically to a particular play, and carried by the more prestigious national troupes touring the country.

The movie showed workers leaving the Reeves and Company factory and the Columbus Fire Department driving up Washington Street.

[12] The official date recognized by Crump Theatre personnel at the time, however, was Thanksgiving Day, 26 November 1914, with the showing of "When Broadway Was A Trail," and "In The Lion's Den".

The Opera House Flats, a two apartment layout situated on the second floor, were vacated of all tenants, and the Clarence Howe Barber Shop and Columbus Realty businesses relocated to other parts of town.

Everything from the stage forward, to the Third Street sidewalk, was gutted (the east and west exterior brick walls were left untouched).

What had originally been two separate and unique buildings (Keith's Arcade and the actual theater auditorium adjoining at the rear) became one.

Heavier, balcony support beams replaced the posts inside the ground floor auditorium so that a second movie projector could be used.

[15] With the advent of movies offering synchronized sound in 1929, in March of that same year, Rembusch installed new Moviephone equipment.

The bottom half of the interior Lobby walls were lined with black glass tiles incorporating aluminum frames for displaying one sheet movie posters.

[21] Louis Holwager, Truman Rembusch, and C. E. Rogers (Crump Theatre manager) were present, along with the panel of judges, consisting of Mrs. Philip R. Long, Mrs. Mary O’Bryan, Mayor H. Karl Volland, mayor-elect John L. Hosea and Walther E. Simmen.

The winners were: Although the Von Ritz was selected as the new name for the Crump Theatre, many in the community felt it wrong to cast aside the name of the theater's founder.

[22] Shortly after the completion of this second remodel, on 26 April 1935, Grammy Hall of Fame inductee Ethel Waters performed on the Crump Theatre stage.

Syndicated Theatres owner Truman Rembusch, who controlled all three theaters, felt it was time to give the Crump a new look.

Five foot tall letters spelling out Crump were vertically attached, and a single piece marquee running the entire length of the front was installed.

Hundreds of individual, incandescent light bulbs pulsed on and off along the horizontal marquee, drawing attention to movie titles and showtimes.

The group raised $150,000, and an additional $25,000 matching grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation.

[29] There have also been four New Year's Eve events featuring local and regional acts put on with help from Columbus native Derick Howard, held at The Crump Theatre.

The first study dates back to the early 1980s when the newly formed Heritage Fund was looking for a project orientation to build an endowment.

Upon Mayor Kristen Brown taking office in 2012, in April 2012, she organized the Crump Theatre Six Sigma Team to tie in with her ADVANCE COLUMBUS goals for the city.

In May, 2013, the Columbus Redevelopment Commission hired Jones & Phillips Associates, Lafayette, Indiana, to perform the tenth feasibility study.

During his presentation, Van Phillips pointed out several structural deficiencies that would warrant keeping the Crump Theatre closed.

On 3 June 2014, the steering committee presented their recommendations and findings before the Columbus City Council with a price tag of $10.8 million.

Danielle, McClelland, Executive Director of the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, Bloomington, Indiana, was selected as the source for the business plan.