Tivoli Theatre (Chattanooga, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Tivoli Theatre
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 709 Broad Street Chattanooga, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Built | 1919-1921 |
| Architect | R. H. Hunt; Rapp and Rapp |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| MPS | Reuben H. Hunt Buildings in Hamilton County TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001779 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1973 |
The Tivoli Theatre, also known as the Tivoli or the "Jewel of the South", is a famous theatre in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It first opened its doors on March 19, 1921. This beautiful building was constructed between 1919 and 1921. It cost about $750,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
The theatre was designed by two important groups: the Chicago-based architectural firm Rapp and Rapp and the well-known Chattanooga architect Reuben H. Hunt. The John Parks Company built it. The Tivoli Theatre was one of the very first public buildings in the United States to have air conditioning. The theatre got its name Tivoli from a town in Tivoli, Italy. It features cream-colored tiles and beige bricks. Outside, a large red, black, and white sign lights up with 1,000 chasing lights. Another big black neon sign also spells out TIVOLI with more chasing lights.
Contents
What's Inside the Tivoli Theatre?
The Tivoli Theatre is quite large and can hold many people.
- The main floor, called the orchestra, has seats for 1,012 people.
- There are 48 seats in the upper boxes.
- The loge section has 78 seats.
- The upper balcony holds 312 people.
- The lower balcony also has 312 seats.
- An extra 104 seats can be added in the orchestra pit area.
In total, the Tivoli can welcome over 1,750 people for a show!
The Stage and Its Features
The stage itself is very big. It is about 44 feet (13.4 meters) deep and 99 feet (30.2 meters) long. The beautiful archway around the stage, called the proscenium, is decorated in silver and gold. It is 47 feet and 8 inches (14.5 meters) wide and 26 feet (7.9 meters) high.
The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ
The Tivoli Theatre has had two main music systems over the years. When it first opened in 1921, a Bennett Pipe Organ was used. This was later replaced in 1924 with a special Wurlitzer organ. This new organ cost $30,000, which was a huge amount of money then! The organ is known as the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ 235 Special. It was installed to play live music for silent films and stage shows. Amazingly, the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ is still played today, almost 100 years later!
A Look Back: The Tivoli's History
The Tivoli Theatre was built in the Beaux Arts style. This was a popular architectural style in the late 1800s and early 1900s in America. The theatre has many fancy details. It features a high ceiling with rose and gold designs. The original ticket booth is still there. The main lobby has a white floor with green marble designs and medallions that look like music notes. You can also see sparkling crystal chandeliers, an elegant foyer, and comfy red velvet chairs. The dome panels in the outer lobby were blue and red with a salmon and gold background.
Opening Day in 1921
The Tivoli opened its doors at 1 p.m. on March 19, 1921. It was a very special day with many events! The day included several concerts by the Tivoli Symphony. There were also screenings of Cecil B. DeMille's 1921 film Forbidden Fruit. The movie's star, Mae Murray, even made a personal appearance! Tickets for this grand opening cost between 15 and 55 cents. Important people from Chattanooga, like Professor Spencer McCallie and Mayor Chambliss, gave speeches. They shared how much they admired the new theatre. This day marked the beginning of the Tivoli Theatre's long history.
Changes Over Time
For many decades, the Tivoli was the main place in Chattanooga for stage shows and movies. However, in the 1950s, new, modern movie theaters started to open. This caused the Tivoli to become less popular. The last film shown at the Tivoli was Snow White and the Three Stooges on August 17, 1961. The theatre closed that same year. It reopened on March 5, 1963, as Chattanooga's new Cultural Center.
At one point, the Tivoli was owned by ABC. Later, it was leased to the city of Chattanooga to be used as a performing arts center. The theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 1973. The city of Chattanooga bought the Tivoli in 1976 for $300,000. It had been in need of repairs for some years. Today, Chattanooga's Department of Education, Arts, and Culture owns and runs the Tivoli.
Renovations and Reopening
In 1979, the Lyndhurst Foundation in Chattanooga gave $25,000 to the Chattanooga Arts Council (now Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga). This money was used to study how to restore the Tivoli. More money for renovations came from other places. Tennessee gave $3.5 million in 1986. People in Chattanooga raised $3.2 million through a private campaign. The city government also gave $300,000.
The Tivoli closed on June 5, 1987, for these big renovations. Robert A. Franklin led the work. The theatre reopened on March 29, 1989, with a concert by the famous singer Marilyn Horne. The renovations added new dressing rooms that could hold up to 70 performers. The stage depth was also increased by 14 feet.
Why the Tivoli is a Historic Site
The Tivoli Theatre was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973. At that time, it was in good condition with few signs of neglect. The American Made Mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, installed in 1931, was still there. Most of the theatre was unchanged.
The Tivoli Theatre is considered a very important landmark for several reasons. It was known as the "finest theater in the entire South." It was also the first theatre in the South to have air conditioning. It was one of the first five Carrier Plants (places with air conditioning systems) in the United States. The National Register noted that its most important period for its architectural features was from 1875 to 1899.
Famous Performers and Shows at the Tivoli
Many famous actors, actresses, and shows have been featured at the Tivoli over the years. Here are some of them:
- Mae Murray
- Louis Armstrong
- Fanny Brice
- Lynn Fontanne
- Helen Hayes
- Marilyn Horne
- Alfred Lunt
- Joe Bonamassa
- Idiot's Delight
- Mary of Scotland
- The Old Maid
- The Earl Carroll Vanities
- The Greater Marcus Show
- The Ziegfeld Follies
- Snow White and the Three Stooges
Images for kids
-
The Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
