Hippodrome Theater (Richmond, Virginia) facts for kids
The Hippodrome Theater is a famous old theater in Richmond, Virginia. It's in a historic area called Jackson Ward. This neighborhood was once known as "The Harlem of the South" in the 1920s. The Hippodrome started as a place for live shows and movies. It was part of the "Chitlin' Circuit", a network of safe venues for Black performers. This was during a time of segregation, when Black people faced unfair rules. Today, the Hippodrome Theater is open again. It's a busy performance spot. It aims to bring back its important role in African-American cultural history.
The Hippodrome's Early Days
The Hippodrome Theater first opened in 1914. Charles A. Somma started it as a place for "vaudeville" shows and movies. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment with many different acts. These included singers, dancers, comedians, and magicians.
The theater was very important for Richmond's African-American community. It was on Second Street, also called "The Deuce." The Deuce was a lively center for Black businesses. It had many stores, restaurants, banks, and theaters. The Hippodrome was a top attraction there from the 1920s to the 1940s.
During this time, Richmond's Black community was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. This was a huge cultural movement in New York City. The Hippodrome brought in many famous performers from this movement. Stars like Billie Holiday, Bill Robinson, Ray Charles, and Ella Fitzgerald performed on its stage. Other legends included Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Moms Mabley, and James Brown. In 1937, the Abe Lichtman theater chain bought the Hippodrome.
Changes and Reopenings: 1940s to 1980s
In 1945, a fire broke out at The Hippodrome Theater. No one was sure how it started. People thought it might have been an electrical problem.
The theater reopened its doors in 1947. After the fire, it was completely updated. It was redesigned in the Art Deco style. This style is known for its sleek, geometric shapes. The new theater also had air conditioning and modern equipment. About 2,500 people came to the grand reopening.
After the fire, the Hippodrome mostly showed movies. This was especially true during the 1950s. The theater closed in the 1960s, then reopened. It closed again in the 1970s. For a short time, it was used as a church. The Hippodrome Theater reopened one more time in the 1980s as a movie theater.
The Hippodrome Today
The current owner of the Hippodrome Theater is Ronald Stalling. The theater is still active today. It hosts live performances on its famous stage. It also continues to show films.
Right next to the theater is the Taylor Mansion. This building was once the home of Rev. William Lee Taylor. The architect John A. Lankford built the mansion in 1907. Today, it is a restaurant called Speakeasy Grill. It serves delicious southeastern food.
The Hippodrome Theater and the Taylor Mansion are part of a bigger plan. Ronald Stalling wants to bring Jackson Ward and Second Street back to life. He hopes to restore them as important centers of African-American culture. This would be like they were in the early 1900s.
