Built in 1908 as a vaudeville and high class motion picture house, The American Theatre originally featured an ornate facade and twin towers with mythical figures.

A.M. Johnson of Norfolk built The American Theatre to give the community of Phoebus a "clean, wholesome amusement theatre." The American Theatre was the first integrated theatre in Southeastern Virginia, originally seating 600 patrons on two levels.

Of the four original theatres in Hampton, The American Theatre is the only one remaining and has been a community landmark for almost a century.

Several times during its colorful history, the theatre changed hands and was known variously as the Lee Theatre, the Lee Adult Theatre and the New American Theatre.

In 1997, the theatre was purchased by the Hampton Arts Foundation. After a $2.9 million renovation and expansion, the theatre reverted to its original name and reopened in June, 2000 with a a star-studded gala.

Today, The American Theatre presents more than 50 world class attractions and events each season and has earned a well-deserved reputation as a principal arts venue in the Hampton Roads area.

The photograph shown about was taken in 1931.  It is part of the Christopher E. Cheyne Collection and is used with permission of the American Theatre.

To download a larger version of the image, click here.
 

To return home, click here.

For a schedule of daily events, click here.

For information about the 2006 poster contest, click here.

To see last year's poster, click here.

For vendor information, click here. 

Phoebus Days is sponsored by
Old Point National Bank • American Legion Post 48
Phoebus Improvement League • Phoebus Civic Association