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Then (left): Built in 1921, the Lincoln Theatre at 1215 U Street, NW was designed by Reginald W. Geare. It was a 1,200 seat theatre, and hearkens to the days of segregation, when it was used exclusively by black audiences. The Lincoln Theatre was eventually converted to a movie theater, which it remained until 1983, when it closed. (Photo ca. 1937 from the Smithsonian.)

Now (right): In 1994, the theatre was purchased and once again converted into a venue for live theatre. Occasional film use continues as it was used for the Reel Affirmations 17th Annual International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in October 2007.

Tagged: arts, dc, history, u street

Kent Boese posts items of historic interest, primarily within the District. He’s worked in libraries since 1994, both federal and law, and currently works on K Street. He’s been an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner serving the northern Columbia Heights and Park View neighborhoods since 2011 (ANC 1A), and served as the Commission’s Chair since 2013. He has a MS in Design from Arizona State University with strong interests in preservation, planning, and zoning. Kent is also the force behind the blog Park View, DC.