Volume 6, Issue 1 - Williamson County Schools

News
2 October 2010
Attempt to save the Franklin Cinema
ends in success
By Bethany Mathias
Staff Writer
The Franklin Theatre
opened its doors in the summer of
1937 where both young and old
crowded the sidewalks of Main
Street in downtown Franklin to
watch the premiere of “Night Must
Fall” starring Rosalind Russell. In
the seventy years that followed,
generations continued to line the
streets for a late night movie with
their friends. The Franklin Cinema
became infamously known as a
timeless landmark and one of the
South’s most beloved small town
silver screen of its time. Unfortunately,
to the cities dismay, owners
were pressed to shut down because
of a rising property rent in January
of 2007.
Grand Ole Opry continues recovery from flood
By Thea Erskine
Section Editor
A flood took place during
the first week of May 2010 that
was the single largest disaster to
hit Tennessee since the Civil War.
After the devastation estimating
21 deaths and million of dollars in
damage, the historical landmark
of Tennessee was destroyed. “The
Grand Ole Opry was our pride and
glory,” says Junior Nikki Davenport,
“and to hear it being washed
away was tragic. It was an unexpected
set back that will be remembered
for many years.”
Nearly 15-16 inches in less
Over three and a half years
have passed since the closing of
the once vibrant and lively family
hangout on Main Street, but happy
times are here again for many locals,
as the theatre is set to reopen
in the spring of 2011. Put in charge
of this new renovation is Steven
J. Greil, one of Tennessee’s highest
acknowledged arts and events
executives. Greil, former leader
of the Tennessee Performing Arts
Center and the Nashville Symphony,
has joyously taken the position
as new managing director for the
cinema. When asked about the
project, Greil remarked to Savethefranklintheatre.org,
“I am excited
to join the team at Heritage Foundation
in bringing back the classic
Franklin Theatre, and I believe the
Franklin Theatre will be ‘the hub’
of the arts in Williamson County.”
Not knowing if the downtown’s
prestigious landmark would
ever be able to live up to its former
glory days, The Heritage Foundation
set off on a massive fundraising
campaign led by Emily Magid,
Cal Turner and the Martin Foundation.
They ended up raising over $6
than 48 hours led to flooding across
Tennessee and ruined numerous
buildings in Nashville. However,
nothing compares to the closing of
the Grand Ole Opry that has been
there since 1974. The building was
filled with over 3 feet of water,
which resulted in ruining the stage
that’s been shared by so many
legendary singers. “We’ve all been
affected by it”, explained Dierks
Bentley, a country singer and a
Grand Ole Opry member, “There’s
devastation all over the city. But to
see the Grand Ole Opry affected,
that just really hit home for me,
even more than having water in my
house.”
The history of the Grand
Ole Opry began in 1901 when C.A.
Craig, who at the time was the
state’s insurance deputy, along with
several insurance investors, built
the building as a tool for selling insurance,
but was later transformed
to one of the greatest country
million to purchase and renovate
the deteriorated building on Main
Street. According to Greil, “The
citizens of Franklin and Williamson
County have already demonstrated
their commitment to historic
cultural preservation and to the
downtown vitality.” The fundraiser
took nearly two and half years of
planning, public protests, and petitioning
to get residents and leaders
to recognize the help needed in
order to bring life back into this
significant piece of Franklin history.
“So many people made this
project possible!” beamed David
Garrett, president of the Heritage
Foundation. “This is a big moment
for Franklin, and we are extremely
proud and humbled by the opportunity
to restore and expand this
fixture on Main Street.”
Once reopened, the theater
will be a LEED-certified project,
meaning it will meet national
standards for green buildings in the
country. The size of the original
Franklin Cinema is planned to be
increased by 50%, and will include
a catering kitchen, green room,
storage and backstage space. The
music radio shows in history. Soon
after, an Oklahoma businessman,
Ed Gaylord, bought the property
for $225 million and continued
operating the Grand Ole Opry that
Tennessee knows today.
The Grand Ole Opry officials
confirmed that they are
re-opening on September 28, 2010
just in time to host the special
shows all centered on the 85 th Anniversary.
“We can’t wait for the
curtain to go up as we launch a
new chapter in the Opry’s history
on September 28, just in time to
celebrate our 85 th birthday. There
is no doubt the next two months
are going to be some of the most
memorable and emotional ever
for our performers and fans,” said
Grand Ole Opry Group President
Steve Buchanan. “I’m so grateful
to hear that it’s re-opening” says
Sophomore Jessica Danner, “without
the Grand Ole Opry, Tennessee
felt empty. Where else would we
theatre will also operate as a 350seat
film, music, and event venue,
as well as represent the future
renovations now set in place for
downtown Franklin. Sam Kitchens,
a sophomore at Independence,
explained what he was looking forward
to about the grand reopening
of the Franklin cinema. He said,
“I am extremely excited about the
reopening of the Franklin Cinema.
Mostly, I believe it will be refreshing
to see this classic and irreplaceable
piece of Franklin’s history
brought back in a new light, and
am looking forward to experiencing
its cinematic value first hand.”
Junior Jessica Mathias,
agreed saying, “I can’t wait to
see what the designers are going
to do with the new renovations! I
am just really glad that we have
people in the area who understand
the importance of maintaining such
a wonderful place, and hopefully
generations to come will be able to
keep it going.” So everyone should
mark their calendars for the grand
reopening coming this spring.
go to hear such great music?”
Tennessee has been through
so much pain and suffering from
this unexpected flood, although it
will always be remembered, the
rebuilt Grand Ole Opry marks the
beginning of moving forward.
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