BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house to celebrate the reopening of the historic Lincoln Theater following extensive renovations on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The event, which also commemorates the venue's 77th anniversary, will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the theater, located at 1305 Myrtle Walk Street.

The reopening comes after years of restoration and expansion aimed at preserving the historic building while transforming it into a community hub. Attendees will preview the newly updated facility, which includes a restored theater space, expanded community areas and the new home of the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame Museum.

“The community will have the opportunity to see a general overview of the project, which includes a major theater renovation, expansion, and the addition of the museum,” the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame Board of Directors said in a statement. “This vision represents an important investment in preserving our history while creating new opportunities for education, cultural enrichment, and community engagement for generations to come.”

First opened in 1949, the Lincoln Theater served as a premier entertainment venue for Black residents during segregation, hosting legendary performers such as James Brown, Louis Armstrong, and Cab Calloway. The venue also played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement, serving as a key meeting site during the 1953 Baton Rouge bus boycott.

“The Lincoln Theater represents an important part of Baton Rouge’s cultural heritage and community history,” said event coordinator Tara Wicker. “This celebration is not only about honoring our past, but also about embracing the future of the Lincoln Theater as a place for community connection and cultural enrichment.”

Local leaders, business partners, and community members are invited to attend. An RSVP is requested via the event flyer’s QR code.