The Alhambra Theatre in Hopkinsville is celebrating the big 9-8 Thursday, and it was a party at the theater as officials honored the historic arts facility that calls downtown home.
Speaking with WHOP Radio, Pennyroyal Arts Council Executive Director Margaret Prim says they couldn’t be prouder to have this prized jewel right here in Hopkinsville, bringing music, movies and the arts to the community for very nearly 100 years. It started as a movie theater and was one of the first building’s in the city to boast of having air conditioning.
Over the years, the Arts Council has been present for numerous renovations and storage upgrades, and have unearthed history while doing so, finding movies reels, original furnishings and all kinds of memorabilia.
Built in 1928, the Alhambra was not always called by that name—Prim says it started out as the Thomas Jefferson Theater, but community was not a fan of that name and worked to quickly change it.
The Arts Council was handing out popcorn, cupcakes and party favors from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday, if anyone wanted to join in the celebrations, as the Alhambra gets ready for its next Live Season of showings, still bringing the sights and the sounds to Hopkinsville.