Byrd Theater

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The interior of the Byrd Theater
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The interior of the Byrd Theater

The Byrd Theatre, named after William Byrd I and William Byrd II, founders of Richmond, Virginia, is one of Virginia's finest cinema treasures. It is fondly known as "Richmond's Movie Palace".

The 1400-seat theater—the first in Virginia to be equipped with a sound system—opened to great fanfare on December 24, 1928. The first audiences paid $.50 for evening shows and $.25 for matinees. Children were admitted for only $.10. Current admission is only $2 per person. When large crowds attend, audience members can sit in the balcony for an additional $2.

The Byrd's creators spared no expense in its design. Its many features include mythically-inspired murals, imported Greek and Italian marble, spectacular crystal chandeliers, hand-sewn velvet drapes, fountains, a central vacuum system, and its own Wurlitzer organ (which is still in use and plays every Saturday night).

Another interesting apsect of the Byrd is that it contains a natural underground spring in its basement. Water can be pumped from this spring for use by the building's air conditioning system.

In 1978, the theater was designated a state landmark. And the following year, it was named a National Historic Landmark.

What may be the most remarkable thing about the Byrd is that the theater has somehow survived the past seventy years largely unaltered–in both appearance and function. It still shows movies to this day.

Theater-opening Trivia

  • BUILDERS: Walter Coulter and Charles Somma
  • ARCHITECT AND CONTRACTOR: Fred Bishop
  • GRAND OPENING: December 24, 1928
  • FIRST PICTURE: 'Waterfront' a First National Film (plot of the movie)
  • ADMISSIONS:
    • Adults: $0.25 (Matinee), $0.50 (Evening)
    • Children: $0.10
  • FIRST MANAGER: Mr. Robert Coulter (from 1928 to 1971)

External links

Richmond Movie Palace
Byrd Theater Foundation
Byrd Theater
Save The Byrd Article Richmond.com

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