Tennessee’s Oldest Theater
The historical Bijou Theatre in Knoxville is one of the oldest, still operating theaters in the whole state of Tennessee. Built in 1817, it has a seating capacity of 800 and is well known for its impressive architecture and rich history. Today, it is an important part of Knoxville’s cultural identity and proves to be a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.
The theater’s stage has seen its fair share of legendary artists. From Harry Houdini, to John Philip Sousa and Sarah Bernhardt.
With 200 years of rich, star-studded history, there is bound to be hard times. The building was on the brink of decay in the 1970s – as were many buildings in downtown Knoxville at the time. When the then-owner was eventually kicked out for unpaid property tax, the building faced demolishing. Fortunately, a group of Knoxville residents jumped in and paved the way to have Tennessee’s oldest theater intensively restored to its former glory.
