‘Playhouses & Picture Palaces: The Historical Theaters of Downtown Durham’

Step into the spotlight and travel back through Durham’s rich entertainment history! This new exhibit at the Museum of Durham History explores the 18 theaters that brought downtown to life from the 1890s through the 1960s. Discover how these beloved venues shaped the city’s cultural and economic landscape, from grand movie palaces and vaudeville stages to opera houses and neighborhood cinemas. As part of the Carolina Theatre’s centennial celebration, the exhibit also shines a special spotlight on downtown’s last remaining historic theater, featuring rare artifacts from its archives that have rarely been seen by the public.