Lincoln Theater Board Volunteers Honored
By Ayn Owens
The History of the Heartland committee honors the Friends of the Lincoln Square Theater Board for the dedication to the revitalization, restoration, and preservation of the Lincoln Square Theater. The committee recognizes the thousands of hours volunteers have poured into making the theatre a success in downtown Decatur. For over 2 years this group of volunteers have taken ownership of the historic theater and made improvements to revitalize it for multiple uses.
The success of the theatre will assist in revitalization of Downtown Decatur. The Theatre originally opened October 27, 1916, with great fanfare. It was designed for live performances and hosted some of the most famous entertainers of the 20th century, including Bob Hope, Harry Blackstone, John Philip Sousa and B.B. King. From 1929 to the 1980’s it evolved into a movie theater.
The non-profit organization quickly got to work on the structural improvements needed to secure the future of the Theater. Those improvements included new roofing, removal of permanent seats to provide the historic theater with more versatility to meet the needs of the current events, cosmetic restoration of the interior, restoration of the iconic lighted marquee, a new radiant heating system and more! The iconic venue has already hosted several events including a concert with Lee Greenwood and most recently Eliot Lewis. The board is continually adding improvements and events for the community to enjoy.
History of the Heartland is proud to present this plaque in recognition of the efforts of the Friends of the Lincoln Square Theater for the restoration and preservation of the Historic Lincoln Square Theater. We encourage members of the community to continue to step up and assist by contributing financially or volunteering. To assist the theater board, follow Friends of the Lincoln on Facebook or call 217-454-4583.
