Morton Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Morton Building
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | 199 W. Washington St., Athens, Georgia |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| Website | https://www.mortontheatre.com/ |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000709 |
| Added to NRHP | October 22, 1979 |
The Morton Theatre is a very special building. It is located in downtown Athens, Georgia. This theater was one of the first of its kind in the United States. It was built, owned, and run by an African-American businessman named Monroe Morton. In 2001, the area around the theater was called Athens' "Hot Corner." Today, the Morton Theatre is a place where many different shows happen. You can see plays, music, and dance performances there. It also hosts many other special events.
Contents
The Morton Theatre's Story
A Special Building's Beginning
The Morton Building was built in 1910. It was created by Monroe Morton. He was a very important African-American businessman in Athens. Mr. Morton owned more than 30 buildings. The Morton Building was his biggest one. For a time, this building was the center of the Black business area downtown.
A Place for Professionals
Many Black doctors, dentists, and pharmacists had their offices in the Morton Building. One of these was Dr. Ida Mae Johnson Hiram. She was the first Black woman to be allowed to practice dentistry in Georgia. Another important person was Dr. William H. Harris. He helped start the Georgia State Medical Association of Colored Physicians, Dentists and Druggists.
Entertainment and Changes
The theater opened on May 18, 1910. It first showed vaudeville acts. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment. It included many different short acts. These could be comedy, music, dance, or magic. Local, regional, and national performers also came to the Morton.
Famous Performers
Many famous artists performed at the Morton Theatre. These included Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and Ma Rainey. They were all very popular during the theater's busiest years.
From Stage to Screen
In the 1930s, the theater changed. It became a movie house. People came to watch films instead of live shows. In 1954, a small fire started in the movie projection room. After a safety check, the theater was closed. It had more than 500 seats. But it did not have enough emergency exits. Even though the theater closed, other businesses on the street level kept operating.
Saving the Morton Theatre
In 1980, a group called the Morton Theatre Corporation bought the building. They were a non-profit organization. They used money from the state and federal governments.
Local Support and Music
Some local bands used the building for practice. They also filmed music videos there. These bands included Dreams So Real, The B-52's, and R.E.M.. In 1987, the people of Athens-Clarke County helped save the Morton. They voted for a special sales tax. This tax included money to fix up the theater.
A New Beginning
In 1991, the building's ownership changed. It was given to the Athens-Clarke Unified Government. In the fall of 1993, the theater reopened. This happened after the government and the Morton Theatre Corporation signed an agreement.
How It Works Today
The government helps by providing staff and money to run the theater. This allows it to be a community space for performing arts. The non-profit Morton Theatre Corporation helps too. They plan shows and manage how people can rent the building.
