Documenting the American South

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Varsity

2408 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina

Dates of Operation 11/22/1941* - 1977*
Performance Types
Capacity
Racial Policy
Descriptionadmission prices: 15 cents matinee 20 cents night children 10 cents anytime Continuous performances from 1 to 11 pm daily, except Saturdays when 11 am to 11 pm Sunday - 2, 4, and 8:30
NotesArt Deco modern exterior. two story section of the facade. no mezzanine or balcony. shallow foyer with toilets. neighborhood theater located in an inner suburb of Raleigh. Located to NC State University. lack of balcony suggests a lack of seating for African Americans and therefore they may have not been granted admission. Building is used today as a book store.
Building Notes"Mirrorphonic" sound space in rear for wheelchairs earphones for hard of hearing air conditioned fireproof location marked from current map. In the 1952 and subsequent Raleigh city directories, the Varsity Theater is listed at 2420 Hillsborough Street. The Varsity does not appear in the 1978 directory but Studio One Theater is listed at its address.
Associated Persons
NameRole
Carver, James D. manager
Dyda, Pam manager
Enloe, William G. manager
Finley, Ken manager
Gattis, Daniel R. manager
Hobbs, Henry K. manager
Jones, Arlington W. manager
Justice, David manager
Stillwell, Erle architect
Washburn, Michael manager
Wray , Lucille H. manager
Associated Organizations
NameRelationship
North Carolina Theatres, Inc unknown
(less)

Images

Commentary

  1. Varsity Theater, Raleigh, N.C. 1939 Commentary