Lennox Theatre

The Lennox Theatre was a post-War Quonset Hut style movie theatre and was the third African American venue in Washington, North Carolina’s history (the other two were the Ritz Theatre and the Victoria Theatre). Operator William H. Duke opened the Lennox Theatre on July 17, 1947 with Bobby Breen in “It Happened In New Orleans” (aka “Rainbow on the River”).

In an era of post-War material shortages, Quonset Hut style theatres adorned with more traditional movie house fronts were commonly constructed especially in the late-1940’s. Many of these theatres were challenged when projection transitioned to widescreen in the mid-1950’s to better compete with television. The Lennox Theatre did not make the shift to widescreen projection and Smith appears to have passed away in 1956 with the family likely closing the theatre.

The former Lennox Theatre was quickly converted to an auto garage for Washington Auto Sales. In the 2020’s, the building was still home to auto sales and services though still recognizable as a former theatre.

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