Discover the Morton Theater -It is one of the first African-American vaudeville theaters in the US. Morton opened in 1910 and it is fully restored. Stay and Play in GA!
General Info
Free admission for tours.Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Food and Party Facilities.
About the Morton Theater
The Morton Theater, completed in 1910, 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.
We seat 500 and are 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.
We are available for rentals, seminars, small banquets, meetings, conferences and receptions.
We hope you find our website informative and entertaining. 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.
Office and Tour Hours
Office Monday through Friday at 9 am to 6 pm. Call for tours.
Phone & Address
Phone: 706-613-3770 – Address: 195 W. Washington St., Athens, GA 30601
