Lincoln Theatre (Columbus, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincoln Theatre
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Front and side of the theater
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| Location | 77 E. Long St., Columbus, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Carl Anderson |
| Architectural style | Exotic Revival, Egyptian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001355 |
| Added to NRHP | October 8, 1992 |
The Lincoln Theatre is a cool place in Columbus, Ohio, where you can watch live shows. It has 582 seats, so lots of people can enjoy performances together! You can find it in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood. The City of Columbus owns this theater. A group called CAPA helps run it. The Lincoln Theatre is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. This means it's an important historical building.
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History of the Lincoln Theatre
The theater first opened its doors on November 26, 1928. It was called the Ogden Theatre back then. A local businessman named Al Jackson helped create it. Carl Anderson was the architect who designed the building.
A Special Place for the Community
The Lincoln Theatre was very important for the African-American community in Columbus. It gave them their own place for fun and culture. The building was designed in a special style called Egyptian Revival. This means it looked a bit like ancient Egyptian buildings.
When it first opened, you could watch movies there. They also had live shows like vaudeville. Vaudeville was a type of show with different acts, like singers, dancers, and comedians. Famous musicians also performed there. The theater also had a big ballroom for parties and events.
Renamed and Reopened
In 1939, the theater changed its name to the Lincoln. It kept showing movies until the 1960s. Many famous artists performed there. These included local star Nancy Wilson, Count Basie, and Cab Calloway.
The Lincoln Theatre closed in the early 1970s. For many years, people tried to fix it up, but it didn't happen. Finally, in 2007, a group called the Lincoln Theatre Association led a big effort. They worked with the City of Columbus, the mayor, and local businesses.
They started a huge renovation project. Workers carefully restored the original Egyptian designs inside. They also added modern seats and stage equipment. The newly fixed-up theater reopened on May 25, 2009, with an open house. The first performance was on May 28, 2009, featuring Broadway star Maurice Hines.
What Happens at the Lincoln Theatre Today?
Today, the Lincoln Theatre is run by CAPA. They work with many local arts groups. These groups put on different kinds of shows at the theater.
Jazz Academy and More
One of these groups is the Columbus Jazz Arts Group. They hold concerts at the theater. They also run a Jazz Academy in the building's upper floors. The Jazz Academy teaches music and offers coaching. It also hosts small performances. The Columbus Gay Men's Chorus also performs two shows there every year.
The Lincoln Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fixing up and reopening the theater was a big part of the City of Columbus's plan. It helped to make the historic King-Lincoln neighborhood a great place again.
