Historic Theater coming back to life

By Aimee Norton

Published: June 26, 2008

Lynchburg’s Academy of Music closed in 1958, with more than a century of history locked up inside.  But Thursday morning that all changed.  A ground breaking will turn the lights back on at Lynchburg’s historic theater. For the city, it means looking to the future.

“As far as I’m concerned, this is our Civic Center.  Between this and the hotel across the street and other lodging opportunities in and around downtown, this is where a lot of different events can take place,“ said City Manager Kimball Payne.

People lined up for tours, to take a peak inside, where famous vaudeville performers once took the stage.

The theater first opened in 1905. Then in 1910, a fire almost destroyed it.  The theater re-opened in 1911.  Then in 1929, it opened as a movie theater.  There are people in Lynchburg who remember it from those days.

“It just brings back lots and lots of memories to come in here and see this,“ said Mildred Dawson.  Now 80, she remembers watching films in the theater.  “I never thought it would be restored.“

A new fly tower will be built behind the stage where props can be stored.  The original tower was destroyed in a wind storm in 1993.  For Dawson, the restoration is sharing memories with future generations.

“There’s lots and lots of people in Lynchburg that wanted this done. To see it come to fruition is great,“ Dawson said.

More than $15 million dollars has been raised for the project through donations, and Federal and State grants.  It will take another $10 million to complete construction, which includes an addition to the theater with a lobby and restrooms.