Paramount Center for the Arts
518 State Street,
Bristol,
TN
37620
518 State Street,
Bristol,
TN
37620
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From the 1950s a newsprint photo of the Paramount Theater in Bristol.
Very Nice.
2009 photo of the Paramount Theatre.
View link
Here is a 2009 photo.
1983 photo of the Paramount Theatre.
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1984 photo of the Paramount Theatre.
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I was in Bristol on Saturday and saw this lovely theatre. I have taken a picture to post, but unfortunatley I don’t know how to do it since the add a photo link is offline.
A 1992 view of the Paramount Theater in Bristol.
You can read about the theatre and the organ with lots of pictures of the renovation and the theatre today at
http://www.piedmont-theatre-organ-soc.org/
Nice photos Jack. The Related Websites link doesn’t work. Try this link instead.
Without question the Paramount is one of the most beautiful theatres on this planet! Support it, visit it. It is a true gem. The following photos from August 2008 do not do justice to the Paramount, but a least give a taste of what it has to offer: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
View link is a slide show on the theatre and the present organ, which does rise from the pit. This organ came from the Paramount Theatre in Charlottesville, Va., which due to the renovation lost their organ chambers and can no longer support a theatre organ.
I’ll look around and see if I have any.
Anyone have any interior photos of the Paramount?
Nothing on their website.
Thanks.
Theatre Bristol is a performing group not an actual theatre. The building in question at 512 State Street, just up from the Paramount, contains the offices for Theatre Bristol as well as a smaller venue (about 125 seats) know as the “Art Space” created for smaller productions.
Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1985
Paramount Theatre and Office Building (added 1985 – Building – #85000701)
516 State St., Bristol
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: McDonald & Co.
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture, Work In Progress
Here are photos of the Paramount 1, 2, 3
The Bristol Paramount has had another Wurlitzer organ installed: not the original instrument but one of similar design.
“….the Paramount contained a Mighty Wurlitzer, which was lifted hydraulically from the orchestra pit to stage level…..” and I’m sure the residents of Bristol wish that this Mighty Murlitzer were still in residence at the Paramount!
“In the 50s, when a CinemaScope screen was installed, the ornate proscenium arch was damaged and its organ taken out.” So many theatres were changed due to the word….CinemaScope and in this case the ornate proscenium arch damaged which is such a shame along with the fact that the Wurlitzer was ‘taken out’! I’ve been in Bristol, but at the time did not have the old movie palace bug so didn’t make note of its presence.
There is a Theatre Bristol listed at 512 State Street. I don’t know if it is an actual theater or an office for the Theatre Bristol performers. Theatre Bristol is listed as:
Theatre Bristol
Appalachian Regional Theatre
512 State Street Bristol, TN 37620
P.O. Box 1447 Bristol, VA 24203-1447
e-mail us at
or call (423) 968-4977
As to whether the Theatre Bristol is an actual theatre and a performing group, I do not know. I came across an old listing of properties on State Street and happen to notice that the only building noted as a theatre was the Bristol. I have yet to travel to the area and haven’t had much luck to date locating anyone with an exacting knowledge of this theatre.
Jack….Is the Theatre Bristol an actual theater or a performing group? On the Paramount website it reads “The Paramount’s "Home Companies” including Theatre Bristol, presenting extraordinary theatre and educational outreach; The Piedmont Chapter of the Theatre Organ Society who restored, maintains and entertains on the Mighty WurliTzer Organ; the accomplished Bristol Ballet Company and the expressive voices of the Bristol Concert Choir. Additionally, visiting lectures, music, dance, films and shows complete the goal of having “something for everyone”.
On the Theatre Bristol website which is here, it reads “Most Theatre Bristol productions take place on the stage of the beautifully restored Paramount Center for the Arts in historic downtown Bristol. Occasionally, performances occur in Theatre Bristol’s alternative ARTspace & Gallery”.
There is a Bristol Theatre (currently the Theatre Bristol) which was built in 1900 in the 506-510 block of State St. Are the Bristol and Paramount one of the same?
Color photo of the Paramount Theatre.
http://www.roadsidenut.com/para103.jpg
A recent picture of the facade can be found at View link