Jefferson Theater
Coordinates: 38°1′50″N 78°28′52.5″W / 38.03056°N 78.48125°W
The Jefferson Theater, located on the Downtown Mall, is Charlottesville's oldest theater.
History
The building that now houses the Jefferson Theater was originally built in 1901 as a bank.[1] It was then sold and reopened in 1912 as a "live performance theater that played host to silent movies, vaudeville acts and a historic list of live performers, ranging from Harry Houdini to The Three Stooges." [2]
The theater was damaged in a fire in 1915 and renovated by C. K. Howell, the architect who also designed the architecture of the Empire and National theaters in Richmond. [1]
The theater was closed for a time in 1925 and reopened on October 3 of that year. Cite error: Closing </ref>
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In 1969, a group of local businessmen purchased the building and re-named it the Cinema Theater and by the late 1970s it had acquired a reputation for showing so many x-rated films that locals nicknamed it "the Skinema." [1]
In 1983, owner Alton Martin sealed off the mezzanine to create the upstairs theater, renamed it the "Movie Palace," and began showing second-run films. [1] Martin passed away and Hawes Spencer purchased the building in 1992. [1]
The building's most recent renovations were begun after its June 2006 closing. It was the result of a purchase by Coran Capshaw.[3]
The theater reopened on November 27, 2009, with a concert by the band Sons of Bill. [4]
Features
The architectural style of the both the interior and the exterior of the Jefferson Theater are Adam-style Classicism, known for classical Roman decorative motifs. [1]
Since the 2009 remodeling, the Jefferson Theater has been equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, new restrooms, a restored balcony, and two full-service bars. [2]
Map
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Web. Star reborn: Jefferson readied for next act, Dave McNair, The Hook, Better Publications LLC, 24 Aug 2006, retrieved 28 Feb 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Web. Theater Information, The Jefferson Theater, 2011, retrieved 28 Feb 2012.
- ↑ Web. Mall theater almost ready to rock ‘n’ roll, Rachana Dixit, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, Sept. 13 2009
- ↑ Web. Jefferson Theater to open November 27, Vijith Assar, The Hook, Better Publications LLC, November 10, 2009 Print. November 12, 2009 , 845, .