The Elba Theatre sits directly across from the courthouse in downtown Elba.  This 5,000 square foot, art deco-inspired cinema building served the community throughout the 40s, 50s, and 60s, hosting musical performers, movie stars, civic events, and introducing film to a number of generations.  After a decline of its audience in the late 60s, it was converted to business space, and then a series of floods in the 90s left it vacant.

In recent years, there has been a large push from various groups in the area to revitalize the historic downtown (much in the vein of Creative Placemaking).  As a part of that effort, local nonprofit Restoration 154 bought the Elba Theatre building, succeeded in getting it listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, procured $60,000 of design work to lay out its future, and raised (and spent) $75,000 for facade, alley wall, and structural improvements.

The ultimate goal is to help reinvigorate downtown through the preservation and ongoing operation of this special space, securing it for the future presentation of film, small theatrical productions, musical events, and art exhibitions.  The remainder of the work needed to make the theatre usable once again is $427,770 and it is exciting to share that 79% of that is in the bank!  As we push to complete this round of fundraising, we hope that you will take a part in making this happen!