“Opening Night at The Rex,” a History on Tap program planned at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Hopkinsville Brewing Co., will explore the 1912 start of one of Hopkinsville’s early movie theaters.
Local preservationist and historian Grace Abernethy will give the program, which looks at the history of the building at 116 E. Ninth St. between Main and Virginia streets.
Most recently the building housed Blue Streak Printers. Constructed in the early 1900s, the building previously was home to two movie theaters — the Rex Theater from 1912 to 1929 and the Kentucky Theater from 1937 to 1956. The city of Hopkinsville nows owns the building, which is vacant.
At the Sept. 16 meeting of Hopkinsville City Council, Mayor James R. Knight Jr. said a pending inspection by a structural engineer would determine if the building should be demolished. Three city residents, including Abernethy, spoke during public comment at the council meeting and urged city officials to not demolish the building.
History on Tap is a monthly program that the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County hosts at the brewery on East Fifth Street. There is no charge to attend.
In addition to her preservation work and advocacy for historic properties, Abernethy writes the monthly column “Brick & Mortar Monthly” for Hoptown Chronicle.
