National Register of Historic Places

Attucks Theatre

Norfolk (Independent City), Norfolk County, Virginia
Listed
September 15, 1982
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
82004575

About this property

The Attucks Theatre is a historic theatre located in Norfolk, Virginia. The theatre was financed, designed and constructed by African American entrepreneurs in 1919, and was designed by Harvey Johnson, an African-American architect. The theatre was named in honor of Crispus Attucks, an African American who was the first patriot to lose his life in the Revolutionary War. When it was first opened, Attucks Theatre was known as the "Apollo Theatre of the South". The theater has hosted numerous famous entertainers throughout the early-to-mid-20th century, including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Red Foxx, and Louis Armstrong, as well as local stars such as Norfolk's Gary U.S. Bonds and Portsmouth's Ruth Brown. The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 16, 1982. After a three-year restoration, the theatre reopened in 2004 as a partnership between the City of Norfolk's Department of Cultural Facilities and the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center. Performers at the theatre since its reopening have included Wynton Marsalis and Audra McDonald. The theatre is located at the intersection of Church Street and Virginia Beach Boulevard, near Norfolk's entertainment and cultural attractions, including Harbor Park, Harrison Opera House, Norfolk Scope, Wells Theatre and Waterside.

Location

1008--1012 Church St.
Norfolk (Independent City), Norfolk County, Virginia
36.85643, -76.27878

Categories

BLACKARCHITECTUREPERFORMING ARTS
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

First Calvary Baptist Church
Industrial
0.1 mi
Queen Street Baptist Church
Industrial
0.3 mi
St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church
Industrial
0.4 mi
First Baptist Church
Industrial
0.4 mi
Elmwood Cemetery
Listed
0.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Attucks Theatre listed on the National Register?

Attucks Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1982.

What type of historic resource is Attucks Theatre?

Attucks Theatre is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Attucks Theatre?

The period of significance for Attucks Theatre is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Attucks Theatre?

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