The Byrd Theater

The Byrd Theater (c. 1929)

The Byrd Theater (2017)

Site Name: The Byrd Theater

Date of Construction: 1928

Reason for Construction: Built to be one of the Nation’s Grand Movie Palaces

Site History: The Byrd theater was named after William Byrd who was one of the founders of Richmond. Build by Walter Coulter and Charles Somma in 1928 to be one of the nations grand movie palaces it was designed like French Empires. This design was created by Fred Bishop however, the decor was by Brunet studios in New York. When the theater was first built it had two sound systems a Vitaphone and an organ for the silent movies. The original 35mm Simplex standard was replaced with Simplex 35mm projectors in 1953 which are still used today. The sound system was replaced with a Dolby Digital system in 2006 after Ray Dolby visited the theater in 2004. The Byrd has been playing movies for over 80 years with few changes to appearance and functions. The Byrd Theatre Foundation made and agreement with the Samuel Warren family in 2007 in order to “purchase, restore and preserve the theater as a vital community resource.”

Surrounding Area History: The Byrd Theater is near the end of what Richmonders call “Carytown.” Carytown was opened in 1938 as Richmond's first shopping strip. After residents saw how well Carytown was going another shopping center (Willow Lawn) was opened in 1956. This caused a bad effect on Carytown because Willow Lawn had more shops and better parking. The businesses of Carytown closed and the street became filled with petty crime. This lasted till the 1970s when off-duty police officers were sent and businesses petitioned to build parking decks. Then in 1974, Carytown was voted to be rebuilt. In 1983 they started the “annual sidewalk sale” where shop owner would bring their goods outside so pedestrians would see and buy them this is now seen as the annual Carytown Watermelon Festival.

How has the site changed? When the Byrd was first opened matinee cost twenty-five cents while evening movies cost fifty cents today movies are four dollars. The next major differences are the sound system and image system. When the theater was first built it had two sound systems a Vitaphone and an organ for the silent movies. The original 35mm Simplex standard was replaced with Simplex 35mm projectors in 1953 which are still used today. The sound system was replaced with a Dolby Digital system in 2006 after Ray Dolby visited the theater in 2004. Another change that I noticed is the location of the name of the theater. When the museum was first built it was vertically in the middle now it is horizontal on the right side.

How as the area changed? The major difference from the original Carytown and the Carytown to day are the stores. Not only do they have retail today nut there are restaurants, galleries, and even spas. However, another change was that above the stores there used to be apartments nut when the “mile of style” was reopened it turned strictly to retail. When compared to the area after the original quick downfall it is nothing like it. The streets of Carytown are always busy and never quiet and is in a very nice area. Carytown is where many families go out to eat and shop and a tourist destination for many.

Reflection: Overall, I feel like I learned more about the area around the theater than the theater itself.  I figured that the theater was built for its purpose and the changes to it were changes you would expect to see with the advancement of technology. I never knew how Carytown developed and the history of it. It was very interesting to me how it shut down because of Willow Lawn and turned into a quiet area. That is a huge contrast to the highly crowded area it is today.

Sources:

Byrd Theatre. "Byrd Theatre History." Byrd Theatre. Last modified 2017. Accessed

    February 15, 2017. http://byrdtheatre.com/history/.

"Byrd Theatre." National Park Service. Accessed February 15, 2017.

    https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/richmond/Byrd-Theater.html.

Beard, Brian. "How Carytown Escaped from Depression." River City Food Tours

    (blog). Entry posted 2017. Accessed March 18, 2017.

    http://www.rivercityfoodtours.com/how-carytown-escaped-from-depression/.

Author: Taylor Hill