Byrd Theatre, Movie theater in Carytown, Richmond, United States.
The Byrd Theatre is a movie palace in Richmond featuring French Empire design with marble walls, velvet drapes, and eleven crystal chandeliers throughout its interior. The building offers accessible seating with aisle cutouts and a center platform for visitor comfort.
The theater opened in 1928 and initially operated under segregation policies until the 1960s when it began allowing African-American patrons access to all seating areas. This shift reflected broader changes happening in the community at that time.
The theater maintains a Mighty Wurlitzer organ on its upper level, played during weekend screenings to accompany silent films as audiences once experienced them. This living tradition draws film enthusiasts who come specifically for these special presentations.
Free parking is available near the building and modern restroom facilities are inside. Arriving early allows time to appreciate the architectural details and settle in before the film begins.
A natural spring beneath the building supplies the original cooling system, which remains fully operational after nearly a century. Few visitors realize this underground feature still keeps the theater at a comfortable temperature.
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