BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A significant historical site located in South Baton Rouge is undergoing extensive repairs and will soon be welcoming visitors again.
The Lincoln Theatre, established in 1949, remained unused for many years. The venue hosted numerous plays, community gatherings, employment opportunities, and featured some of the most notable Black individuals. Today, it will not only resume its role as a theatre but also receive some modern upgrades.
“It is located at a historic site, and it truly serves as a historical monument for this community and the Baton Rouge region,” said Dr. Thomas J. Durant, Jr., Vice President of the Lincoln Theatre Board.
Durant mentioned that Brenda Dunn, the founder and director of the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame, bought the building in 2009 and began renovations in 2010. He noted that the process involved numerous challenges, including securing funds from state officials, local authorities, and the community. Overall, the renovation expenses reached approximately $3 million.
“We were almost forced to begin from scratch in some respects,” said Durant. “The structure was present, but it had been left unused for two or three decades, making the process quite challenging. And it remains a journey. You need to apply historical methods when restoring it and also locate the required materials for the renovation,” he added.
The theater will be a two-level structure, featuring a brand-new performance stage, with the Louisiana Black Hall of Fame located on the upper floor. Durant mentioned that they have retained some of the building’s original elements such as the ticket counter, seating, and specific design features. He stated that faith has been their driving force in continuing the project, striving to revive history.
“This reflects the history of Baton Rouge, and it’s a reflection of the history of African American communities in Baton Rouge,” said Durant.
Currently, they are still collecting funds for additional improvements in the theater. He mentioned that the board hopes to reintroduce some of the services the theater previously provided, such as barbershops, dining establishments, and children’s activities throughout the region, in order to maintain community involvement.
“We hope to revive the enthusiasm we had in the sixties and seventies when this was a vibrant part of the community,” said Durant.
The board expressed their hope to have the theatre’s soft opening before Christmas.
Latest News
- Historic site in South Baton Rouge scheduled to reopen
- A Louisiana legislator introduces legislation aimed at streamlining tax mistakes and addressing the drug epidemic.
- Hundreds come together to show support for Front Yard Bikes’ Youth City Lab improvements
- Thieves break into a Los Angeles barber shop and take a much-loved cat.
- Republican candidate wins a tightly contested special election in Tennessee
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content cannot be published, aired, altered, or shared again.
For the most recent updates, weather forecasts, sports coverage, and live video streaming, visit Louisiana First News.
