This is one of the first African-American vaudeville theaters in the US. Morton Theater opened in 1910 and is fully restored.
The Morton Theater is the only remaining vaudeville theater on the National Register of Historic Places that was built, owned, and operated by an African-American, Monroe "Pink" Morton.
In its heyday, the Morton featured headliners such as Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Blind Willie McTell, and Duke Ellington.
The landmark building and community cultural center also housed black professionals' offices, where doctors, dentists, pharmacists, jewelers, barbers, and insurance companies served the black community throughout the first half of the 20th century.
The Morton Theatre hosted early acts such as classical pianist Alice Carter Simmons, Butterbeans and Susie, Blind Willie McTell, Curley Weaver and Roy Dunn.
Restored and adapted as a performing arts space, the Morton now caters to local community and touring groups hosting live musical concerts, musicals, dramas, church services, weddings, dance concerts, receptions, poetry readings, and pageants. Call in advance for free tours.
The Morton Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our stage lighting system is state of the art with an ETC Express 72/144 light board and Source Four lighting instruments. Our audio system allows for the broadcast of both live and pre-recorded sounds and our fly system has 24 rigging lines.
It is available for rentals, seminars, small banquets, meetings, conferences and receptions.
For more information, feel free to contact us and if you are in the area, drop by for a tour. We are more than happy to show off Athens' Historic Showplace!
A unit of the Arts Division of Athens-Clarke County's Leisure Services Department, Managed by the Morton Theatre Corporation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit.
Amenities: Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Food and Party Facilities. There is meter parking at the road.
Tours are available Monday throug Friday at 10am until 6pm. Call in advance for free tours.
Phone: 706-613-3770 – Address: 195 W. Washington St., Athens GA 30601
It is available for rentals, seminars, small banquets, meetings, conferences and receptions.