JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Jackson Theatre celebrated its 80th anniversary Sunday with a showing of the 1945 hit “The Kansan.”

With popcorn in hand, guests paid $1 to enjoy the nostalgia and reminisce about the theatre’s grand opening 80 years ago.

Channel 11 News joined the festivities and caught up with Lori Powell, the assistant operations director at the Jackson Theatre, who expressed gratitude for witnessing families across generations visiting Jonesborough.

“Originally, the theatre was a small-town venue that began in 1945 for locals to enjoy films and have a good time,” Powell shared. “It shut down in the early 60s, but both residents and town officials always wished for its revival. This ambition evolved into a decade-long project. In 2014, the building was acquired, and renovations kicked off. It took a while, but we eventually held our grand reopening in November of 2024.”

During the interview, Powell welcomed Marian Anderson, a historian and tour guide, who delved into the theatre’s past to uncover its 1940s screenings.

“[Anderson] guides tours and has extensively researched the theatre’s history,” Powell explained. “She discovered what films premiered when the theatre first opened in 1945. One such film is ‘The Kansan’. Throughout this week, we’ve been showcasing movies from the 1940s that featured during the theatre’s initial opening period.”

Powell said the throwback films are a way to remind the community that the ticket booths are open and the theatre is ready for a crowd.

After the movie, the theatre gave away 30 prizes and gift cards donated by local merchants.

The Jackson Theatre will host a grand opening celebration on Nov. 1. To view a calendar of scheduled films and live performances, click here.