We shape our buildings, thereafter our buildings shape us, Winston Churchill said just five years before Capitol Theatre opened in 1949, lending its state-of-the-art craftsmanship and bringing Technicolor movie technology to the downtown Lebanon blueprint. Constructed by Marvin Head, a contractor known for his quality, many still call the masterpiece the best built building in town.
The charm and architecture were not lost on Bob and Pam Black when they landed in middle Tennessee in 2001. He recalls being mesmerized by the building, purchasing it as soon as it became available in 2012, following years of vacancy.
“I spent years growing up traveling with our family as my father was in the Air Force, and most Saturdays I could be found in any local theatres where we were stationed,” Bob Black reminisced, “I immediately fell in love with the Capitol.”
“The Lebanon people are the friendliest of anywhere we have lived,” says Mr Black, explaining that before choosing Wilson County his family had settled in Texas to complete school and began working in the retail industry. He later took a senior position in the merchant credit card industry before moving back to middle Tennessee and starting another company in the same industry that he sold in 2014.
Since 2012 the Blacks have been lovin’ on Lebanon through Capitol Theatre, whether it’s through restorations and renovations to keep the building in shape, or supporting as many causes and organizations as they can.
“One of our favorite things about Lebanon is the giving spirit here. We try to focus on the needs by giving to groups such as CAC, WCBHC, Habitat, Sherry's Hope, New Leash on Life Community Foundation of Wilson County and CU,” he says, continuing to explain an exciting new community focused men’s group.
“Shawn Smith and I have formed a group of Gentlemen called One Hand Up, similar to the ladies group 100 Women of Wilson County, to make it easy for individuals to make giving a natural part of their budget without the need to get actively engaged in a non-profit,” he explained, “ We are excited where it will go in supporting local community non-profits.
We couldn’t close out an interview with an old building owner without asking everyone’s burning question, is it haunted?
Bob just says, “As in many old buildings there are sounds that you would swear are not just an old building talking to you.” So we will have to let readers and visitors decide that one for themselves.
Looking for entertainment this winter season, definitely mark your calendars for January 27, when The Last Five Years Musical comes to the stage, followed by February 9-18 when the Bonnie and Clyde Musical set up residency. Plus Heather Land brings her sarcastic southern comedy tour for one night only, February 2.
You can stay up with Capitol Theatre events at capitoltheatretn.com, but those of you who like to plan ahead, mark your calendars for these upcoming dates:
- 3/8 Concert: The Sternwheelers
- 3/10 Nashville Irish Step Dancers
- 3/15 Concert: Domine Pink Floyd Tribute
- 3/28 Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- 4/13 Comedy and Magician Stephen Bargatze
- 4/25 Movie: Wizard of Oz
- 4/27 Brainiac Trivia and Movie: 80s Night
- 5/18 Concert: The Everly Brothers Experience
- 5/23 Movie: The Goofy Movie
- 5/25 Brainiac Trivia and Movie: 90s Night
- 6/13 Movie: National Lampoons Vacation
- 6/27-30 Newsies Jr. Musical
- 7/18-28 Fiddler on the Roof Musical
- 9/27 Concert: Shake Rattle and Roll
- 10/3-6 Macabre Film Festival
- 10/8 Movie: The Shining
- 10/19 Brainiac Trivia and Movie: Halloween
- 10/26 Audience of One Gala
- 10/29 Movie: Hocus Pocus
- 11/9 Brainiac Trivia and Movie: Disney
- 11/26 Movie: Elf
- 11/30 Small Business Market
- 12/1 Doowops Concert
- 12/5-15 White Christmas Musical
- 12/10 Movie: Polar Express
- 12/17 Movie: It's A Wonderful Life
- 12/21 Brainiac Trivia and Movie: Christmas
Historic preservation is investing locally, conserving and enhancing buildings and neighborhoods. -unknown
I immediately fell in love with the Capitol.
