Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Attucks Theatre

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 2, 2026

1. Attucks Theatre Marker

Inscription.
The Attucks Theatre, known as the "Apollo of the South," was built in 1919 in Norfolk's thriving Black business district. It was financed, constructed, and operated by African Americans and was designed by Black architect Harvey Johnson. Named for Crispus Attucks, regarded as the first casualty of the American Revolution, the theatre was a venue for concerts, movies, plays, and community events. Performers here included Ruth Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dizzy Gillespie. Rooms upstairs served as offices for Black professionals. The theatre, known as the Booker T. from 1934 until it closed in 1955, was listed in the Green Book, a guide for Black travelers. It reopened in 2004 after renovations.

Virginia Green Book Location
1938 - 1967 The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guidebook for African American travelers, was published by New York City mail carrier Victor Hugo Green in response to pervasive and widespread racial discrimination during the pre-Civil Rights era. Green's guide featured hotels, restaurants, service stations, and other places where African Americans could count on being served.

Erected 2025 by Department of Historic Resources.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 36° 51.424′ N, 76° 16.72′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Henry Street and Church Street (U.S. 460), on the right when traveling east on Henry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 715 Henry St, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Attucks Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Attucks Theater Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); First Cavalry Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Plummer Bernard Young Sr. (1884-1962) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cedar Grove Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lower plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 2, 2026

2. Lower plaque

(approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 2, 2026

3. Attucks Theatre Marker

Attucks Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Attucks Theatre

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on March 16, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.