Theatre Gems: Woodstock Theatre Recognized by National Register of Historic Places

Classic Cinemas’s Woodstock Theatre received a plaque from the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior for the work on the historic theater, which opened in 1927, Willis Johnson said.

“It was a frosting on the cake” receiving the plaque, Willis Johnson said. “You put all this effort into it and then you get recognized, and I think that that was really a thrill for us.”

Before renovations started about three years ago, Woodstock Theatre owners Willis and Shirley Johnson did not know a dome was hidden underneath a drop ceiling.

But once they discovered it, renovation plans changed so the dome would be visible, Willis Johnson said, and what was previously two theaters would be restored into one main auditorium.

Willis Johnson said he and his wife decided to restore the dome and parts of the original ceiling because the theater, originally the Miller Theater, was an important part of Woodstock.

“I think back in 1927 there we didn’t have all the entertainment options that we have today, so an important part of a family’s social life was going to the movies,” Willis Johnson said. ” … It was just an important part. First date, first job, first kiss.” Enjoy the NW Herald’s article here.

About Classic Cinemas: Classic Cinemas, based in Downers Grove, Illinois, is a family-owned business, run by Willis, Shirley and Chris Johnson. It was started in 1978 with the operation of the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. Willis always says he got in the movie business by default when the largest tenant in the Tivoli Building closed the theatre for “remodeling”.  He had been a partner in a printing business for over 20 years and was ready for a new challenge — the rest as they say is history. The company today operates 13 theatres in 12 communities. Along with the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Gove, IL, the company has restored such older downtown movie theatres as the Lindo in Freeport, the York in Elmhurst, the Lake in Oak Park, the Woodstock in Woodstock and the Paramount in Kankakee.

ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

Learn more about historic theatres on our website at historictheatres.org