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Tour of The Avalon Theatre (Members Only)
July 28, 2021 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Photo courtesy of The Avalon Theatre. Elliot O’Donovan, photographer.
DC Preservation League Members are invited to join us on Wednesday, July 28th from 10:00 – 11:30am for in in-person tour of The Avalon Theatre!
The oldest operating movie house in the DC Metro area, The Avalon Theatre (originally named The Chevy Chase Theatre) has been a cornerstone of northwest Washington, DC since its opening in 1923 as a single screen silent film theater. The building’s landmarked façade is Classical Revival but the look and feel of the theater evolved over the years to a 1930s art deco movie house to a 1980’s “modernized” look to a 2003 restoration that returned the Avalon to its Classical Revival roots. After its sudden closure in 2001, the nonprofit Avalon Theatre Project was formed to raise funds and lead a successful community effort to reopen the Avalon in 2003. The Avalon recently reopened again after its 15 month closure due to the pandemic.
Bill Oberdorfer, Avalon Executive Director, and Donetta George, Avalon Board Member, will discuss the theater’s architectural history, 2001 community rescue and renovation, subsequent building upgrades and the theater’s evolution into DC’s premier film center. Bill and Donetta will lead a behind the scenes (and screen) tour of the building following their presentation and Q&A.
COVID Information: Masks are required. The Avalon Theatre requires all its visitors to wear a mask while in the building. Additionally, if you are feeling ill on the day of the event, we ask that you stay home. You can read more about the Avalon Theatre’s health and safety precautions here.
Note on Accessibility: Please be advised that a portion of this tour will include going up approximately 3 flights of stairs. Certain parts of this tour will also include ducking under/maneuvering around the screen’s support structure. There is no elevator, so please consider this if you have difficulties with stairs. Please wear comfortable shoes for the tour.
This is a DCPL Members-only event. Note that you need to be signed in to your Neon account in order to successfully register. Not a member? Become one today!
