Richmond relic Byrd Theatre gets an upgrade

Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor

The Byrd Theatre opened its doors in 1928 and has woven itself into the fabric of Richmond.

The theatre is currently in the process of replacing their auditorium seats.

The seats are made to be more comfortable, as they also plan to create two more accessible platforms, according to Ben Cronly, Byrd’s executive director. They finished the renovations for the middle aisle and balcony, and are now working on the side aisles. 

The seats stay true to their original designs, with purely functional updates. They plan to make the back of the seats thinner to give viewers the option to lean back further, according to Cronly. 

“The plan of our foundation is to restore the entire theatre back to the way it was in 1928,” Cronly said. “That includes redoing the marquee, we’re adding back the blade sign, which is the vertical sign that had ‘Byrd’ in vertical letters.”

Cronly feels that the Byrd helped Carytown make a name for itself.

“When the Byrd was built, that was just a residential neighborhood,” Cronly said. “There weren’t any shops or anything, so when the Byrd was built and was opened, many of the homeowners realized, ‘Hey, the Byrd is bringing in 200 people a night. We could start selling goods out in the front of our houses.”

Silent films were accompanied by the Mighty WurliTzer Organ, installed by the Randolph WurliTzer Company, according to The Byrd’s website. 

Cronly implemented the organ to be played at every show in 2023, excluding sensory-friendly and midnight shows. 

One man has been the house organist at the Byrd for 29 years: Bob Gulledge. 

Gulledge originally started playing the organ for his church. When he was 12, he visited the Byrd for the first time and fell in love with the WurliTzer. 

“We moved to Richmond in 1965, and Easter week, they brought a group of us to the Byrd,” said Gulledge. “I had never seen or even heard of a theater organ before. The big sound rolled across the theatre and the big bass note, and then the spotlight came on, and the console came up out of the pit. At that point, I was hooked.”

Gulledge trained under Eddie Weaver, who played on the Byrd’s organ from 1961-1981, according to Gulledge. 

“He came down here from the Loews, which is where he was from 1931 to 1961. He was around 50 years … I’m a short timer,” Gulledge said.

Gulledge enjoys his time at the Byrd and feels as though he’s gotten to know the audience. 

“I grew up here. I learned to play here. I like the people I work with. I really do enjoy the people,” said Gulledge. “I very much appreciate when they tell me how much they enjoy. This is probably the single most played theater organ in the United States.”

Pete Peterson, a manager and projectionist, loves the building for many reasons.

“I love film history, and it was built in such a cool time for films, where they were new,” said Peterson. “I love all the different movies we show, and we’re not just showing what’s coming out.” 

Peterson says the original characteristics of the building — the chandelier, organ, paintings and marble — help bring people in. 

“It kind of gives off the vibes of a prestigious theater, like a live performance theater, but you know, movies. It’s kind of fancy, but it doesn’t gatekeep the public,” Peterson said. “It keeps the tradition alive by showing movies, and I feel like it allows the public to experience a lot of movies that they wouldn’t otherwise.”