419 Main Street

Franklin, Tennessee

The Franklin Theatre is an historic 1937 Art Deco landmark on Main Street known as the "Crown Jewel" of downtown Franklin. Opening in the Great Depression, the theatre served as a beloved local movie house and community hub before closing in 2007.  Restored and reopened June 3, 2011 after an $8.5 million investment by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.  It features intimate vintage charm with restored architectural details, a classic neon marquee, 300-seat venue and a 44-seat balcony lounge.

 

The theatre's enduring romance with the Franklin Theatre began in the summer of 1937 when the marquee first illuminated Main Street, invited middle Tennesseans to buy a ticket and laugh, cry and dream.  Inside the theatre walls, moviegoers enjoyed fresh popcorn, afternoon matinees and first kisses.  They walked away with a lifetime of memories.

Over the next 70 years the world changed, but the Franklin Theatre stood as a testament to a simpler way of life though time eventually took its toll on the venerable movie house and the doors closed under rising rents and the trend toward mega-theatres.  

Enter the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.  Rather than lose the hear of Main Street, the nonprofit preservation group stepped in to buy and rehabilitate the historic landmark.  After three years of work, the historic Franklin Theatre re-emerged better than ever.

The new Franklin Theatre continues the cherished tradition of showing movies, but also adds a new dimension to Main Street .. live music.  With a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system and undeniable charm, the Franklin Theatre is destined to be an entertainment and cultural icon for years to come.