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Attucks Theatre
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| Location: | 1008--1012 Church St., Norfolk, Virginia |
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| Area: | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built: | 1919 |
| Architect: | Johnson,Harvey N. |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: | 82004575[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | September 16, 1982 |
The Attucks Theatre, located in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, was financed, designed and constructed by African American entrepreneurs in 1919. The theatre was designed by Harvey Johnson, an African-American architect. The theatre was named in honor of Crispus Attucks, an African American who was the first patriot to lose his life in the Revolutionary War. When it was first opened, Attucks Theatre was known as the “Apollo Theatre of the South.” It has hosted performers ranging from Cab Calloway to Redd Foxx. The Attucks played host to a great number of famous entertainers through the 20s, 30s, 40s and early 50s, including Norfolk's Gary U.S. Bonds and Portsmouth's Ruth Brown.[2]
In 1977 the United States Congress deemed The Attucks a National Historic Landmark and after a restoration period of three years, the theatre was reopened in 2004 by a partnership between the City of Norfolk’s Department of Cultural Facilities and the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center.
The theatre is located at the intersection of Church Street and Virginia Beach Boulevard, near Norfolk's numerous entertainment and cultural attractions, including Harbor Park, Harrison Opera House, Norfolk Scope, Wells Theatre and Waterside.
Today, the Norfolk theatre is formally known as The Crispus Attucks Cultural Center. After extensive renovations, the theatre re-opened in October 2004. The theatre is currently owned and operated by SevenVenues, a department of the City of Norfolk.
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