Скачать или смотреть Paramount Theatre earns historical landmark status, highlighting its rich history

Since 1930, the Paramount Theatre in downtown Abilene has stood the test of time, surviving shifts in culture and technology.

Now, after nearly a century, it has gained its historical landmark status.

"People are going to walk down Cypress and they're going to see that and they're going to get that connection to history," George Levesque, the executive director of the Paramount, said.

Architectural drawings, newspaper clippings and hours of research at the library, Levesque said it took the paramount about three years to gain the historical landmark status.

"We are so lucky to have the Paramount," Levesque said. "Somewhere between 1920 and 1935, they built hundreds of these movie palaces that were built like atmospheric theaters... So when the stars are twinkling and the clouds are drifting on the ceiling, and you see that sunset and you're transported to a Spanish courtyard, they don't do that anymore, and they haven't done that since 1935."

After years of change and many industries evolving, the Paramount has been a constant.

"I think it stands because it's dead center of the city for one reason, like it's in the middle of Cypress Street, which is kind of a somewhat iconic street in Abilene," Levesque said. "So it has this kind of keystone, you know, it's right here. It's part of the bedrock of the city."

Inevitably, things have to be replaced and upgraded over time.

"So we were really excited to put in ergonomic seats, even though, again, you see, they kind of look like they would have looked back then," Levesque said. "There's no cup holders. There's nothing like that. They feel wonderful, but they are true to the style from 1930."

Levesque said preserving the Spanish style of the building over the years is crucial.

"We feel like that as a nonprofit, that is our number one task is to protect the building," Levesque said. "Number two is to make sure that it's available for people to come in and see and have events and that sort of thing. But number one is to protect the building, and that is a nonstop job.

The historical landmark is proof that the Paramount is here for years to come.

If you haven't made it to a show yet, you can find out more about upcoming performances on the Paramount Theatre Website.

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