Varsity Theatre (Martin, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Varsity Theatre
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 104 Oxford St, Martin, Tennessee |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Speight and Hibbs |
| Architectural style | Moderne, Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000464 |
| Added to NRHP | June 1, 2010 |
The Varsity Theatre is a historic building in Martin, Tennessee. It used to be a popular movie theater. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important building with a special history.
Contents
The Varsity Theatre: A Look Back
The Varsity Theatre was built in 1949. It was made for the Ruffin Amusement Company. When it first opened, it was the best movie theater in Martin and Weakley County. It could seat 1,000 people inside. The theater even had air conditioning, which was a big deal back then!
Why the Name "Varsity"?
The name "Varsity" was chosen for a special reason. It honored the University of Tennessee College in Martin. This college was an important part of the community.
Cool Design: Art Deco and Art Moderne
The building was designed by an architecture company called Speight and Hibbs. They used two cool styles: Art Deco and Art Moderne.
- Art Moderne: This style made the outside of the building look smooth and modern. It had rounded edges and long, straight lines.
- Art Deco: Inside, you could see Art Deco in the lights and wall decorations. Both styles made the theater look very stylish for its time.
Separate Spaces: A Part of History
When the theater was built, society was different. The design of the building included separate areas for different groups of people. For example, some moviegoers used a different entrance. They went to a separate part of the theater's balcony. There were also separate bathrooms and a drinking fountain for them. This was a common practice during that time period.
What Happened to the Varsity Theatre?
The Varsity Theatre showed movies for many years. It stayed open until 1987. Then, it closed for a few years because the owner had health problems.
New Beginnings and Changes
The theater reopened in 1992. But it closed again in 1996. After that, the building was used as a church for a while. The church moved out in 2002. The building was empty for several years.
Today, the Varsity Theatre has a new purpose. It is now a fitness center and a physical therapy clinic. It helps people stay healthy and recover from injuries. The building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in August 2010.
