Photography by Rob Garland and Alyssa Solares
This year marks a pair of significant milestones for The Paramount Theater—the 20th anniversary of its grand reopening after an extensive restoration project in 2004 and the 60th anniversary of the Theater’s desegregation following the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
For most of the middle of the 20th century, The Paramount played a significant role in the cultural life of the Charlottesville community. Designed by the renowned Chicago-based Rapp & Rapp firm, architects of the Paramount-Publix chain and its flagship theater in Times Square, the Paramount was part of the golden age of cinema.
Opening its doors on Thanksgiving Eve 1931, the Theater became an overnight sensation. Despite arriving during the decline of the American movie palace era and just two years after the stock market crash of 1929, the Paramount thrived. Week after week, patrons would escape into its opulent surroundings to enjoy films, live performances, and special events. For more than four decades, The Paramount served as one of Charlottesville’s premier entertainment destinations, hosting war bond drives, fashion shows, children’s cartoons, and performances by popular musicians.
However, like many institutions of its time, The Paramount also reflects the painful history of segregation. From its opening in 1931 until the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the Theater operated as a segregated venue. African American patrons were restricted to the balcony, accessible only via a separate entrance, box office, and staircase on Third Street.
By the 1970s, changing entertainment trends and the advent of multiplex cinemas led to the decline of many grand movie houses. The Paramount was no exception, and in 1974, it closed its doors for what many feared would be the final time. For nearly two decades, the Theater remained dormant, its future uncertain.
But in 1992, hope emerged when the non-profit Paramount Theater, Inc. purchased the building. With a grant from the City of Charlottesville, restoration efforts began in earnest, starting with the Theater’s iconic marquee.
The restoration process continued under the guidance of Washington-based Martinez & Johnson Architecture, in collaboration with Charlottesville’s Bushman Dreyfus Architects. The ambitious $17.6 million project aimed not only to restore the Theater to its former glory, but also to prepare it for a new role as a regional performing arts center. In addition to the meticulous restoration of original elements, the project introduced modern facilities to meet the demands of contemporary performances.
After more than 30 years of darkness, The Paramount Theater officially reopened its doors to the public on December 15, 2004. Since then, The Paramount has been a vibrant hub of world-class performances, educational programming, and civic engagement.
As the Theater marks these two milestones—20 years since its grand reopening and 60 years since desegregation—we take a closer look at some of the elements that continue to make the Paramount a cultural cornerstone in Charlottesville.
The Marquee
The Paramount Theater’s marquee, which first lit up Thanksgiving Eve in 1931, remains an iconic feature. After the nonprofit Paramount Theater, Inc. purchased the building in 1992, work began on the initial project — restoring the Main Street marquee. At midnight on that New Year’s Eve, the marquee’s lights shone brightly for the first time in more than a decade, marking the beginning of a new era. Passersby still enjoy watching Paramount staff place the letters on the marquee by hand.
The Bubbler
A historic drinking fountain located near the lobby, the bubbler is a beloved feature of The Paramount that dates back to its early days. Like many features of the Theater, the Bubbler was restored during the 2004 renovation.
Third Street Box Office
The Third Street Box Office is a site of historical significance, previously serving as the segregated entrance for Black patrons from The Paramount’s opening in 1931 until the Civil Rights Movement. Earlier this year, the Theater hosted the Third Street Box Office Project, featuring artists who presented temporary exhibitions that directly addressed the history of segregation and civil rights, and providing a platform for dialogue about race and equity in the community.
Architecture
The Theater’s facade reflects the architectural preferences of early 20th-century Charlottesville, blending elements of Greek Revival and Colonial Revival styles. The Paramount was designed to align with the area’s affinity for classical architecture, demonstrating a preference for historical motifs over the Art Deco theater style popular elsewhere during the same period.
Light Fixtures
The Paramount Theater’s ornate brass chandeliers are a testament to the opulent vision of the original 1931 design. These fixtures, meticulously restored during the 2004 renovation, add both grandeur and warmth to the space.
Signatures on the Wall
Behind the scenes, the Theater’s backstage wall of fame has become a cherished tradition. Since The Paramount’s reopening in 2004, thousands of performers have left their autographs on the yellow backstage walls.
The Dinosaur on the Floor
A green dinosaur peers up from a section of The Paramount’s backstage floor. Legend has it that painters, unsure of what color to use, were told, “I don’t care if you paint a dinosaur on the floor, just get it done in time!”
Silk Paintings
Flanking the audience, two massive silk paintings on the auditorium walls evoke the elegance of Elizabethan Europe. These works of art were originally intended to create a sense of being transported to distant places, enriching the cinematic experience. Preserved during the Theater’s renovation, the paintings remain integral to The Paramount’s ambiance.
Octagonal Auditorium
The Paramount’s octagonal auditorium embodies neoclassical grandeur, a tribute to Thomas Jefferson. With its intricate plasterwork and other details, the auditorium creates a unique atmosphere reflective of the community it serves.
Notable Performers
The Theater regularly hosts more than 300 events each year and has welcomed some of the most celebrated names in 20th-century music, including Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, B.B. King, and many more. The modernized facilities have allowed The Paramount to present renowned performances and
performers across genres each and every year. This past fiscal year, more than 100,000 patrons walked through the doors—the most well-attended
period since before the pandemic.
Holiday Decorations
Each year, the Theater’s staff, board, and roster of volunteers go all out to transform the Paramount for the holidays. Over the course of three days, eight 15-foot trees are put up and decorated with hundreds of ornaments, dozens of wreaths are displayed, and over 400 feet of garland stretch through the auditorium and staircases. And that’s just for starters. The marquee is decorated, too, as well as tabletop surfaces throughout the building.
Three-Story Annex Building
The addition of a three-story annex during the 2004 renovation greatly expanded The Paramount’s functionality. The annex houses a modern box office, ballroom, meeting spaces, and rehearsal rooms, enabling the Theater to serve as a regional performing arts center with modern amenities.
The Ballroom
The Paramount’s Ballroom is where you’ll find concessions for every event, and is versatile enough to transform into a space for private functions and dinners. As a venue for community gatherings, the ballroom underscores the Theater’s role beyond entertainment—fostering social and cultural connections in Charlottesville.
Modern Box Office
The introduction of a new box office was part of the Theater’s modernized operations and improved the ticketing experience for patrons. The square outline of where the old box office once stood can still be seen on the floor of The Paramount’s entrance.
Educational Programs
The Paramount Arts Education Program has introduced more than 230,000 students and teachers to the performing arts since 2004. Committed to presenting engaging educational theater that complements school curricula, the program offers financial assistance to ensure that all children can participate.
Community Events
The Paramount’s dedication to community engagement shines through in events like the Oratorio Society’s annual Christmas concert. The Theater also provides a venue for more somber gatherings, such as the memorial service for
The Blade
While the 2004 reopening was a cause for celebration, one important piece of the restoration remained unfinished. Due to the scope and complexity of the project, the iconic, 33-foot-tall blade sign—a signature element of The Paramount’s original design—could not be restored at the time. However, on December 15, 2015, exactly ten years after the Theater’s grand reopening, the blade sign was illuminated for the first time in more than 40 years.
Free Historical Tours
Each month, The Paramount hosts three free historical tours. Lasting about an hour, the guided tour walks through the Theater’s origin and milestones, and includes focused visits to the balcony, Third Street Box Office, and backstage spaces. Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras and their questions. Visit theparamount.net to see upcoming tour dates or to inquire about setting up a private tour.