Henrico Theatre

Henrico Theatre is a historic theater building in Highland Springs, Henrico County, Virginia. Constructed in 1938, it began as a neighborhood movie theater and was designed in an Art Deco style that was unusually modern for its then-rural setting. The building uses poured concrete and brick and is organized around three principal bays, with the center bay set back from the street. Its original marquee, large stylized theater lettering, and a distinctive clock form part of the building’s recognizable exterior identity. The clock was produced by International Business Machines Corporation, later known as IBM, and was designed to complement the architecture. The venue opened on April 25, 1938, with a screening of Thin Ice starring Sonja Henie. Its owners equipped it with contemporary amenities, including air conditioning and advanced lighting and projection technology. The theater’s architecture received favorable attention in the Richmond area, and one of its owners had previously been involved in the construction of Richmond’s Byrd Theatre. The original auditorium seated 782 people, making the building a substantial entertainment venue for the community. Henrico Theatre operated as a cinema for much of the twentieth century, but the business closed in 1996. Henrico County acquired the property in 1999 and undertook a major restoration costing $5.8 million. The restoration sought to preserve the building’s historic character while adapting it for continued public use. Following the work, the auditorium’s capacity was reduced to approximately 400 seats. The restored venue reopened in 2007 as a multi-use community facility rather than solely as a commercial movie house. The theater is significant both as a local cultural venue and as an example of surviving twentieth-century commercial architecture. It is one of only two surviving significant Art Deco structures identified in Henrico County. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, recognizing its architectural and historical importance. In its current role, Henrico Theatre serves the county through theater-related programming and public events, retaining the identity of a historic cinema while functioning as a flexible community venue. Its positioning is therefore based on heritage preservation, local access, and public cultural programming rather than on national commercial exhibition.

Henrico Theatre was built in 1938 in Highland Springs, a community in Henrico County, Virginia. Its construction reflected the expansion of purpose-built neighborhood cinemas during the period, but the building was also notable for the quality and modernity of its design. It was constructed from poured concrete and brick in an Art Deco style, with a three-bay facade and a recessed central section. The center bay incorporated the theater’s name in stylized lettering, the original marquee, and a clock whose form echoed the building. The clock was made by International Business Machines Corporation, later IBM. The venue opened on April 25, 1938, presenting Thin Ice, a film starring Sonja Henie. The theater was equipped with amenities that were advanced for its location, including air conditioning and modern lighting and projection systems. Its opening and architectural appearance were well received, and the building became an important entertainment destination for the surrounding community. One of the theater’s two owners had previously built Richmond’s Byrd Theatre, linking Henrico Theatre to the region’s larger tradition of historic cinema design. The original auditorium held 782 people. For decades, the building functioned primarily as a movie theater, serving local audiences through commercial film exhibition. That business closed in 1996. Three years later, Henrico County purchased the property, creating the basis for a public preservation and redevelopment project. The county invested $5.8 million in restoration work, maintaining the building’s historic exterior and adapting its interior for contemporary community use. The restored theater reopened in 2007. Its auditorium capacity was reduced to 400, reflecting the changes made during renovation and the venue’s new multi-use function. Rather than returning solely to its former role as a commercial cinema, Henrico Theatre became a community facility capable of hosting theater-related programming, screenings, performances, and other public events. The county’s stewardship gave the building a continuing civic purpose while retaining its association with the local movie-going tradition. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, before the reopening. Its designation reflects the importance of its architecture and history within Henrico County. It is identified as one of only two surviving significant Art Deco structures in the county. Today, Henrico Theatre’s identity rests on the combination of historic preservation and public cultural access: it is a surviving 1930s cinema building, a restored Art Deco landmark, and a county-managed venue for community programming.

• 2007

  Restored venue reopens

  [1]Henrico Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Following a $5.8 million restoration, the building reopens as a multi-use community facility with an auditorium capacity of about 400.

• 2005

  National Register listing

  [1]Henrico Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Henrico Theatre is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• 1999

  Henrico County purchases the property

  [1]Henrico Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The county acquires the former theater and undertakes a preservation and restoration project.

• 1996

  Commercial theater business closes

  [1]Henrico Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The venue’s original movie-theater business closes after decades of operation.

• 1938

  The theater is constructed

  [1]Henrico Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Henrico Theatre is built in Highland Springs using poured concrete and brick in an Art Deco design.

• 1938

  Opening-night film screening

  [1]Henrico Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The theater opens on April 25 with a presentation of Thin Ice, starring Sonja Henie.

A county-operated historic theater that combines preserved Art Deco architecture with accessible film, performance, and community programming.

• Venue · 1938

  Historic theater venue

  The restored 1938 Art Deco building is the core offering of Henrico Theatre. It preserves the original facade, marquee, stylized lettering, and distinctive clock while providing an auditorium and support spaces for public cultural use. The auditorium was reduced from its original 782 seats to approximately 400 after restoration.

• Cinema programming · 1938

  Film screenings

  Film exhibition is part of the theater’s historic identity and remains among the types of programming associated with the venue. The building originally operated as a commercial movie theater and later continued in a broader community-facility role.

• Community programming · 2007

  Community events and performances

  Since its reopening in 2007, Henrico Theatre has functioned as a multi-use community facility. Its programming and spaces support theater-related activity, screenings, performances, and other public events organized or presented for the Henrico County community.

• 1999

  County acquisition and preservation strategyStrategy

  Background

  After the commercial theater business closed in 1996, Henrico County acquired the property and pursued a public restoration rather than allowing the historic building to remain unused.

  Action taken

  The county purchased the theater and commissioned a restoration intended to preserve its historic character while giving it a continuing community function.

  Aftermath

  The building reopened in 2007 as a multi-use community facility, extending the life of the former cinema as a public cultural venue.

  Restoration cost. $5.8 million (Restoration completed before the 2007 reopening)

  Source

1. 1Henrico Theatreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Henrico County Parks and Recreation: Henrico Theatreco.henrico.va.us