It is believed that the Porterville Barn Theater is one of the longest-running community theaters in the nation. It was started in 1948 by Pete Tewksbury along with many of the theater enthusiasts of Porterville. It is alive today due to the work of several, dedicated community members with a passion for acting.

Actors who recently graduated from acting school were recruited to Porterville. Three of those actors went on to become famous.

Dick Deacon was a regular on the " Van Dyke Show" for its entire run and also played bit parts in the movies. In his later years, he became a food expert and had his own TV show in Los Angeles. Ann B. Davis had two successful TV shows, playing Schultzy on the "Bob Cummings Show" and then Alice on the "Brady Bunch." Joan Tewksbury worked behind the cameras in Hollywood and also did some acting. She too became very successful.

PGS has investigated the Barn several times….recording some strange shadows, especially one that walks across the stage, sounds of clapping in the audience area, the creaking of the seat as if someone is sitting by you, strange blinking lights, laughter in the dressing room and the chiming of a dinner bell in the area that use to be a diner.