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Von Lee Theatre
2002 Photo from the Adam Martin collection.
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517 E Kirkwood Ave
Bloomington IN 47408
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| Record #5922 |
Opened: 1928
Closed: 2000
Current Use:
Demolished:
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Capacity:
Architect(s):
Architectural Style(s):
National Register:
Current Organ: none |
| Also Known As: Ritz |
| Previously operated by: Vonderschmitt Theatres, Kerasotes Theatres |
Information for this tour was contributed by Lloyd Suh. The Von Lee was opened in 1928 as the Ritz and was subsequently converted into a grocery store.
In 1948, the Vonderschmidt family converted the store on Kirkwood Avenue into the Von Lee Theatre. The cinema became a haven for art and foreign films in the university town. In 1976, the Kerasotes family purchased the theatre, bringing more mainstream commercial films with them. The theatre closed in May 2000, and that fall, Kerasotes announced the closing would be permanent.
Located in the geographical center of Bloomington, Indiana, right on the border of the Indiana University campus and the Bloomington downtown, its closing was met with a great deal of community disappointment. "Save The Von Lee" efforts have been happening since. Photos
Photos remain the property of the Member and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Member. |
November 2013 photos from the Darren Snow collection.
61 KB · 625x417 |
June 2002 photos from the Adam Martin collection.
57 KB · 625x469 |
2001 photos from the Darren Snow collection.
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Last featured 7/4/2002. Last edited 5/7/2023.
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