By Braden Felts

Movies are a timeless American pastime. From slapstick and raunchy comedies to heartbreaking and tear-jerking dramas, the masses have loved all types of films for over a century. The Byrd Theatre has been a cornerstone of Richmond culture for almost a century. Beginning with silent films, second-run features, and even children’s movies such as Ratatouille, the Byrd Theatre has seen many changes and still has much more to come.   

House-left view of the Byrd Theatre auditorium. Photo credit: Jan Hatcher.

The Byrd is one of Richmond’s greatest treasures. Opened on Christmas Eve, 1928, it was created so that Richmonders could have an elegant and refined film-watching experience. Over the past century, people of all ages have flocked to the Byrd to enjoy a wide variety of films.

Initially, when the Byrd was built, it was Richmond’s greatest new attraction, but it was in a largely underdeveloped area. Soon, after people were drawn in by its lavish style, shops sprung up all around the surrounding area, leading to the development of what is now Carytown.

The Byrd started as a theater that ran new movies nightly. Throughout its tenure, the Byrd served primarily as a theater but occasionally hosted big band performances and a candlelight orchestra. However, the theater’s stage is only 13 to 14 feet deep, so these options are typically not viable. Today, the Byrd is known for being a second-run theater that shows older movies, along with special viewings and events. According to lifelong Richmond resident Andrew Ascoli (’24), this shift has given the Byrd a “nostalgic feel” every time he goes and watches a flick there.

Until 2007, Byrd was run by a series of private owners, but for the past 17 years, The Byrd Theatre Foundation, a non-profit organization, has operated the theater. Under this leadership, the team has led several projects to restore the theater so that people can enjoy it for many years to come.

Thousands of people still go to the Byrd every month. The Byrd Theater’s Director of Development, Jan Hatcher, said there were “lines down the block” in March when the Byrd hosted the world premiere of William Shatner’s self-created documentary You Can Call Me Bill. Shatner was there, center stage, doing a Q and A session with fans. 

The Byrd’s aura evokes feelings of the past, connecting generations of people across Richmond. Collegiate Senior Vivian Boyd (’24), a patron of the Byrd, loved that the experience was a “full immersion into the 20th century.” From the drapes to the marquee, the whole atmosphere of the Byrd “breathes elegance” and “reflects” the same aura from almost a century ago. 

Byrd Theatre house view. Photo credit: Jan Hatcher.

Byrd Theatre Executive Director Ben Cronly takes pride in the fact that the theater has not changed much in the past century, remaining “very much similar to the way it has been since 1928.” Hatcher cited that the theater still has “all the elegant elements” from its original design.

The Byrd’s decor can only be explained with one word: opulent. Cronly cited the style of architecture as a blend, but primarily French Empire with a mix of Georgian and accompanied by some “flowery work.” However, while the chairs and columns are incredible, the main attraction is the 5000-piece Czechoslovakian crystal chandelier in the auditorium. Turkish and Greek marble fill the walls and floors of the Byrd. Hatcher credits the incredible architecture to the two original owners, who “spared no expense” in creating a beautiful theater. Helping to build the astonishing beauty of the Byrd was designer Arthur Brounet, who painted the three murals in the lobby and handled the entire original interior of the theater. His works helped to create the artistic marvel that is the Byrd.

Another fascinating aspect of the Byrd is the mighty Wurlitzer organ. Starting in 1928, the organ was used to play the background music in silent films. Today, the mighty Wurlitzer is still operational and in its original form from almost a century ago. Another ancient artifact in the Byrd Theatre is the “spring room,” home to one of Richmond’s natural water springs underneath the theater.

The Byrd Theatre facing Cary Street. Photo credit: Bill Dickinson via flickr.

In 1977, the Byrd became a state historic landmark, and in 1979, it officially became a national historic landmark. As what Hatcher referred to as a “grand movie palace,” the Byrd is one of few theaters with such distinctions. 

The current Board of Directors hopes to set an example of how the film-watching experience should be. As such, Hatcher said they want to create an “inclusive” environment for everyone to enjoy watching movies. So on Saturdays, they hold specific events for those with disabilities and special needs, designed so that moviegoers might not get “sensory overload.” Hatcher said she wants the Byrd community to be a “convening spot for all types of people.” 

Along with the goal of making an enjoyable experience for people of all backgrounds, the staff at the Byrd also have their eyes set on several restoration projects. According to Hatcher, these include “replacing the roof and bringing the mechanical systems up to date.” The goal of these renovations is not to make the theater something new entirely but rather to maintain the elegant charm that it has acquired over the years. Now, the team at the Byrd is looking for a new restoration campaign focused on the marquee and chairs within the theater itself. Hatcher said the “board and staff are committed to a full restoration.”

The curtains at the Byrd. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons user: Amart008. 

Along with the restoration, another of the board’s goals at the Byrd Theatre is to further create an “intergenerational” meeting spot for everyone to enjoy the arts. As a cultural monument to how far Richmond has come within the past century, the Byrd has the opportunity to bridge generations of families. Hatcher said she grew up “going to the Byrd” and saw it change and grow over the years, yet in some ways it has stayed the same as it was when she was a child, which has profoundly impacted her.

One way the Byrd keeps in touch with the Richmond community is by hosting special screenings, such as the annual Christmas Eve screening of It’s A Wonderful Life. This past fall, from September 26 to October 1, 2023, the Byrd played host to the Richmond International Film Festival. 

Despite streaming services dramatically changing the film-watching industry, the Byrd has remained firm as an iconic Richmond landmark.