HOLLYWOOD THEATRE MEMORY PROJECT
When we started doing research and found out that the Hollywood Theatre’s centennial was in February 2025, we knew that it was the perfect time to launch this organization and to create a community-focused record of the theatre’s history. The components of the Memory Project are still to be determined, but in essence it is a collection of stories, newspapers, and photos that tell the collective history of the theatre. This website is a major component, and we are also producing a short documentary. Maybe one day everything can be compiled into a book. As the community gets involved, the various components will become more clear.
Friends of the Hollywood considers this a “mapping project” where multiple perspectives covering multiple years are gathered together to tell the story of one important building. Cinema has been a vital part of our culture for some time, and although nothing tangible is produced from watching a film, the experience can have a lasting impression. For us, this is the reason that no memory is considered “too small.” We want to know about the movies you cried at, the smell of popcorn, the laughs you had in the lobby.
For many years the Hollywood was the center of the neighborhood. By honoring and preserving the history of the building, we can celebrate its impact on the community, but also by looking back, we hope to be a positive influence on the building’s future. Your memories matter, no matter how small, because it is the collective story that paints the picture of how important community art spaces matter to a neighborhood and its residents.
We are also interested in stories of when the theatre was House of Joy, the church that occupied the building for many years, because although it was not operating a cinema, the community that utilized the building has important memories to share and stories to contribute. If you attended House of Joy or know anyone who did, please consider contributing to the project!
TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY PROJECT:
Please fill out the form below. You may upload still images if you have any photographs or scans of any ephemera. Don’t have a scanner? No problem! We can make arrangements to scan anything you may have. Please consider signing up for “news and updates” to stay informed of any developments or events.
If you prefer a paper copy of the form, DOWNLOAD AND PRINT HERE. Feel free to mail to the address listed on the printable form.
This is an on-going project, so there is no deadline! We would love to include your story at anytime!