Central Business District in Lynchburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Academy of Music (1905-1958)

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 23, 2020

1. The Academy of Music (1905-1958) Marker

Inscription. The Academy of Music was a regional center of entertainment early in the 20th century. Its neo-classical facade and elaborate interior date from the rebuilding following a fire in 1911. The theater featured local talent, vaudeville acts, and performances by national and international luminaries such as Maude Adams, Sarah Bernhardt, Eubie Blake, George M. Cohan, W. C. Handy, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Anna Pavlova, Will Rogers, and John Philip Sousa. Primarily a movie house after 1928, the Academy closed in 1958 and was vacant for decades. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and, after restoration, reopened in 2018 as the theater of the Academy Center of the Arts.

Erected 2018 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-6-49.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 37° 25.072′ N, 79° 8.693′ W. Marker is in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street

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. The building is now the Academy Center of the Arts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 524 Main St, Lynchburg VA 24504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lynchburg History (a few steps from this marker); The Ladies Relief Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Ladies Relief Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen Weir Freeman, M.D. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Douglas Southall Freeman (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Lynchburg History (about 400 feet away); Court Street Baptist Church (about 700 feet away); Elizabeth Langhorne Lewis (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynchburg.

Also see . . . Academy Center of the Arts. (Submitted on January 23, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 23, 2020

2. The Academy of Music (1905-1958) Marker

Looking north

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.

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