The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame at The Historic Lincoln Theater
“An official preserver, protector and keeper of the chronicles of Louisiana’s great black achievers” – June 12, 1992
THE LINCOLN THEATER FEASIBILITY STUDY: GUIDE
POINTS OF PROGRESS
I. The Lincoln Theater historical role is a critical cultural asset in OSBR, representing the cultural, civil rights, and everyday history of the African American community.
Accomplished: We submitted Capital Outlay Funding Application to obtain funds and met with members of The LLBC and secured a new Project Endorser/SWB.
Accomplished: The following contributed to exceeding the State Required Match: The Solar System Installation, the Environmental Abatement Project, the New Roof and St. Martin Brown & Associates Design & Construction Administration of the New Roof Project, enabled The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame to qualify and meet this requirement.
Accomplished: Met with the Executive Director Carolyn Bennett of The Foundation for Historical Louisiana to seek Sponsorship of the project’s state required $3,000.00 Appraisal Fee.
Accomplished: MEL, Inc. led by Morgan Watson and Dr. Press Robinson, sponsored the project’s $3,000.00 fee for its initial environmental inspection requirement ensuring the project’s state compliance and planning with St. Martin Brown & Associates Architects provision as in-kind consultations.
Accomplished: The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame Board of Directors approved the vision and Staff submitted all state requirements. With collaboration of LLBC Member office of State Senator Sharon W. Broome as Project Endorser, The LBHHF Board of Directors received the appropriation of funds from the Louisiana Legislature to purchase The Lincoln Theater in 2009 as a permanent site to house the museum and restore the facility and its historical significance. It will serve as The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame Museum and Cultural Center at The Lincoln Theater. The State Partnership was established.
Accomplished. The Lincoln Theater Historic Preservation Designation Committee 2010 – it is now officially listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Lincoln Theater stage hosted entertainment of films and performers, its offices held leaders who met there who helped to shape local and national civil rights history and businesses that served the community with pride and purpose. Joining prior efforts and contributions led by Geri Hobdy, this Committee ensured that this landmark would become a national certified historical monument on December 7, 2010. This committee’s achievement was conducted by Fricker & Associates, The Foundation for Historical Louisiana, State of Louisiana Office of Historic Preservation, The East Baton Rouge-Re-Development Authority and The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
II. Structure capital investments to ensure there is no debt burdening the owner/operator.
Many repairs/renovations are needed for this facility to accommodate the vision of having The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame Museum and Cultural Center with Exhibitions and The Lincoln Theater Programs and Services. This Restoration will be conducted in different renovation and construction phases to ensure the facility is safe and operable. We must obtain the funds to address the repairs so that it will not be a financial burden for the future operations.
Accomplished: We received the appropriation of funds from the Louisiana Legislature to purchase The Lincoln Theater.
Accomplished: Public Bids and Awarding and Implementation of Contract conducted in 2013/2014. With collaboration of LLBC Member office of State Representative Patricia Haynes Smith as Project Endorser, we secured funds to replace the Roof through The Louisiana Division of Administration/State Office of Community Development/LGAP.
PROTECT THE FACILITY: SECOND PRIORTY – Ensure the environmental safety
Accomplished: We applied and received (1) The RLF/South Louisiana Brownfield Coalition Clean Up Grant and (2) The LA Department of Environmental Quality to ensure the facility is environmentally safe and protected by addressing identified remediation projects. Coordinated by The EBR-RDA under the Office of The Mayor President Melvin “Kip” Holden endorsement to work with The East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority on this project.
Accomplished: The LBHHF Received the Award Letter from The City of Baton Rouge/Office of Community Development under the Office of The Mayor President Sharon Weston Broome and the Baton Rouge Metro council in support of this historic project – 2016. The City Partnership was established.
Accomplished: The Capital Region Legislative Delegation outlined this project as one of its priorities for 2012 with the request of $1 million for The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame at The Lincoln Theater Project, in collaboration with the Community and State Leaders Steering Committee of State Senator Yvonne Dorsey, State Senator Sharon W. Broome, State Representative Patricia Haynes Smith and State Representative Regina Barrow.
III. Drive “consumer” demand of the historic Lincoln Theater through relevant program offerings and Identify creative expertise to unlock the possibilities of this unique community asset.
Accomplished. We will provide unique programmin
Such programming will include:
A. The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame Museum is a unique presentation of successful African American achievements.
Mission – To Educate and Inspire Achievement.
Inductee “Torches of Life” Award – This award symbolizes the successful passing on of knowledge, education, opportunity and desire; to instill faith and determination to succeed no matter what obstacles try to stop you. From generations to generations, we must continue to pass on these symbols so others can achieve success. The “Torch” forever burns in history to educate and inspire achievement as their stories of success are featured.
B. The LBHHF Civil Rights Event Inductions
The UDL – We Documented The Lincoln Theater as “a civil rights planning site through the Announcement of their Office was located at The Lincoln Theater by Attorney Johnnie Jones, one of the Legal Minds behind this event. The Chairman of The Board, Evelyn Augustus Dumas worked with a committee (which included Media Consultant Mada McDonald, Attorney Walter Dumas, board member Peggy Bates and Kia Bickham of the Mayor’s Office) to ensure that we had Baton Rouge Leaders of Law and Civil Rights help identify certain rooms on the 2nd floor of The Lincoln Theater that were used for the pursuit of equality and peace and helping to promote voting rights especially during the years 1954-1956.
In July 2015, that committee coordinated special “Dedication Photographs” of those leaders…who worked and were inspired on the strategies that later became the famous “civil rights blueprint” that helped to shape our nation. Those photographs will be a permanent display in our 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott Exhibition as we join other bus boycott historical monuments around our community, state and nation.
C. The Lincoln Legends Recognition Program of Events and Activities
The Lincoln Legends Events and Activities Highlighted at The Lincoln Theater reflect the community’s passions for music, the arts, history and culture. Lincoln Legends are performers, musicians, entertainers, artists and leaders who have performed or professionally presented on the Lincoln Theater Stage or at the historic facility. The recognitions are presented in three ways: commemorative seating, auditorium performers showcases and the annual musicians’ festival:
(1) LINCOLN THEATER COMMEMORATIVE SEATING
On designated seats in the Auditorium on the first floor and Balcony seating areas give recognition to performers, musicians, state and national leaders who have performed on The Lincoln Theater Stage, were Guests of The Lincoln, impacted the legacy of The Lincoln Theater and/or its sustainability as Honorary Lincoln Legends that helped to provide programs and services for generations to come through sponsorship or donations.
(2) THE LINCOLN LEGENDS AUDITORIUM EXHIBITS
The Board of Directors and Lincoln Legends Research Committee chose Lincoln Legends to be displayed on the walls of the auditorium and/or throughout the facility as a Special Honor to the Industries of Arts, Entertainment and History.
(3) THE ANNUAL LINCOLN LEGENDS MUSICIANS’ FESTIVAL
(Celebrating & honoring music and those who love it)
Event Planning: This is a weekend event of musicians, performers, dancers, various entertainment presentations that will be done on an annual basis to preserve and celebrate music and entertainment, the Lincoln Legends, the Chitlin Circuit performers and so much more of performers and entertainers that stopped by The Lincoln Theater, other community venues and the City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
D. The MUSICIANS PLAZA At The Lincoln
… Honoring and Celebrating Music & Musicians
Why Call It The Musicians Plaza? On the side of The Lincoln Theater’s Green Space, near its basement door, once was a shotgun house with steps where some of the performers visited. According to Mrs. Geraldine Ellis of South Baton Rouge, “Ms. Bert House was a stopping place for performers to get a little something to eat”. You know they couldn’t go some places to eat and sometimes sleep, so Ms. Bert took care of them. It was this little house right next door to the Lincoln Theater, then the Johnson House, then my father’s house. Some of the performers would come to my father’s store which was at the corner of South 14th and Myrtle”. This little house, its steps and its spirit of welcoming performers will be a dedicated site called “THE MUSICIAN’S PLAZA” for the community to enjoy, honor and celebrate music and musicians.
Source: Personal documented testimony of Ms. Geraldine Ellis, resident of 1341 Myrtle Street/2013.
E. THE LINCOLN THEATER MURAL
THE LINCOLN THEATER MURAL is located at the corner of Eddie Robinson Sr Drive and Myrtle Walk. It was dedicated to inspiring imaginations and dreams 24/7 to the Youth and Community in August 2013 by The Lincoln Theater Performing Arts Program Committee and The LBHHF Board of Directors. The Mayor’s Office, City of Baton Rouge, The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and The MOPA Program Director Dr. Kevin Harris with designated Artists sponsored the painting of this historical mural that promotes: HISTORY-ART-MUSIC-CULTURE.
To date, visitors pass it every day; some take pictures and others stop to view it with inspiration. It is part of our planning to have the mural to have lighting and landscape added to its presentation.
IV. Achieving economic sustainability for “the Lincoln” will take the support of the whole community and a wide array of stakeholders and innovative partnerships. Creating a sustainable model means achieving several things at once to ensure no financial burden/Blunt/Bennett:
To Ensure sustainability and innovation, we will develop two Gathering of Experts:
Accomplished: We developed (1) the CAP Team (CREATIVE ARTISTS & PROFESSIONALS)—Community Partners of Arts & Entertainment (2) the MUSEUM Scholars & Leaders Team —- Community Partners of Education, History & Culture
The Historic Site: A Treasure Restored
The Lincoln Theater is recognized as a critical cultural asset in Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR), documenting the cultural, civil rights, and everyday history of the African American community.
A Legacy of Firsts:
The facility was developed as a first-class theater in 1949 by Dr. A L. Chatman and his supporters. The theater stage hosted films and performers, while its offices housed leaders who helped shape civil rights history. The vision is to establish Two Historical Entities As One: The LBHHF Museum and Cultural Center at The Lincoln Theater.
National Historic Status:
The Lincoln Theater is a national certified historical monument. It is officially listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, certified on December 7, 2010. This achievement was a collaborative effort involving The Lincoln Theater Historic Designation Committee, The Foundation for Historical Louisiana, the State of Louisiana Office of Historic Preservation, and The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
Points of Progress: Restoring the Vision
The strategy guiding the facility’s capital investments ensures there is no debt burdening the owner/operator. The LBHHF successfully purchased the facility and is committed to renovation, restoration, and expansion without incurring financial burden or a mortgage.
About Us
The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame (LBHHF) was founded with the core mission: To educate and inspire achievement. This vision is being realized through the restoration of The Historic Lincoln Theater, serving as the permanent site for The LBHHF Museum and Cultural Center
Key accomplishments contributing to the restoration include:
Securing Funds for Purchase:
Capital Outlay Funding Application was submitted, and the LBHHF received appropriation of funds from the Louisiana Legislature to purchase The Lincoln Theater in 2009.
Meeting State Required Match:
The LBHHF exceeded the State Required Matching Funds, notably through the Solar System Installation, the Environmental Abatement Project, and the New Roof installation.
Protecting the Facility (First Priority):
Funds were secured, and the Roof Replacement contract was implemented in 2013/2014
Ensuring Environmental Safety (Second Priority):
The organization applied for and received two grants—The RLF/South Louisiana Brownfield Coalition Clean Up Grant and a LA Department of Environmental Quality grant—to ensure the facility is environmentally safe by addressing remediation projects.
Renovation Funding:
The LBHHF received an Award Letter for Community Development Block Grant Funding from the City of Baton Rouge in 2016.
The LBHHF Museum and Cultural Center
The LBHHF is developing unique programming and educational offerings guided by two expert teams: The Museum Scholars and Leaders Team and The CAP (Creative Artists and Professionals) Team.
The Museum: Educating and Inspiring Achievement
• The Inductee “Torches of Life” Award symbolizes the successful passing on of knowledge, education, opportunity, and determination across generations.
• Induction Gallery Categories include: Military Service, Community Service-Religion-Medicine, Business and Inventions, Education-Law, Art-Music-Entertainment, Sports, Politics and Governmental Leaders, Communications-Literature, and Civil Rights.
The Civil Rights Blueprint: EXHIBITION 1953
A major focus is The LBHHF Civil Rights Event Inductions. EXHIBITION 1953 documents The 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott as "A Local Event that Helped to Shape a Nation".
• Civil Rights Planning Site: The Lincoln Theater was documented as a “civil rights planning site,” where the office of Attorney Johnnie Jones (one of the legal minds behind the event) was located. Leaders who met there helped promote voting rights during the years 1954–1956.
• Artifacts: The exhibition includes collected items, such as a 1953 Baton Rouge Bus coin machine donated by CATS.
• Peace Park: The Peace Park will promote community efforts toward peace and will feature the famous Jemison-King photo as the “Peace Sculpture” center, introducing EXHIBITION 1953.
• Sit-In History: The museum also recognizes The Southern University Eight (Part 1 of 16), honoring those who participated in the Louisiana Civil Rights Sit-In at the Kress Store in Downtown Baton Rouge.
The Cultural Center: The Lincoln Legends Events and Activities
• Lincoln Theater Commemorative Seating: This program recognizes Honorary Lincoln Legends—performers, musicians, entertainers, artists, and leaders—who performed on the stage, impacted the legacy of The Lincoln Theater, or supported its sustainability.
◦ Honored Legends include Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, who met with community strategists in 1954/1955, as well as performers such as James Brown, Nat King Cole, Irma Thomas, Joe Tex, the Four Tops, and Louis Armstrong.
◦ The Name Your Seat Community Campaign allows community members to purchase the naming rights of seats in honor of a loved one or themselves, supporting the restoration.
• The Annual Lincoln Legends Musicians’ Festival: This annual weekend event celebrates and honors music, preserving the legacy of the Chitlin Circuit performers and entertainers who visited the area. The festival features genres such as Motown, Philly International, R&B, Soul, Gospel, Zydeco, Classical, Pop, Jazz, and Rock-n-Roll.
• The Musicians Plaza: This dedicated site honors and celebrates music and musicians, located on the side of The Lincoln Theater's green space where "Ms. Bert House," a shotgun house, once provided a stopping place for performers to eat and sometimes sleep.
• The Lincoln Theater Mural: Located at the corner of Eddie Robinson Sr Drive and Myrtle Walk, this mural promotes HISTORY-ART-MUSIC-CULTURE and was dedicated to inspiring the youth and community in August 2013.
Featured Programs and Services
• The LBHHF EBONY LETTERS Bookstore and Book Festivals.
• The Lincoln Auditorium and Event Spaces.
• Film & Video Productions and a Podcast Studio.
• Esports and The Ultimate Esports Tournament.
• SYI at The Lincoln Deli & Café.
• The Barbershop, which serves as a Social Justice Exchange.
• The Museum Volunteer/Intern Program.
Get Involved: Support the Strategic Plan
The LBHHF continues the ongoing effort to seek dedicated individuals and organizations that can enhance the mission and vision. The Initial Strategic Plan, established in June 2009, outlined several key areas that require sustained community and professional support: