On this day in 1926, the Colonial Theatre opened at 427 North Liberty Street, trademarked by its white columns reminiscent of a colonial mansion. For the slim price of 35 cents, adults could see the new Colonial Theatre from the inside, and watch the feature film, Lady Windermere’s Fan, starring Ronald Coleman, May McAvoy, Irene Rich, and Bert Lytle.
Among the special features of the new movie house was a Robert Morgan pipe organ which debuted on opening night in an organ overture, followed by the feature presentation.
Exactly 30 years later to the day, the remodeled theatre opened as the Center Theatre. After a run of 16 years, the theatre closed and was demolished to make way for a parking deck, falling victim to “urban renewal.”
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
