2013 Lecture Series: 'Evening with History' on Marietta Square

Join author Janice McDonald as she recounts the history and memories of the Fox Theatre. Her Images of America: Fox Theatre book highlights rarely seen images of the Fox and its storied past.

The “Fabulous Fox” is seldom referred to by its legal name, the Fox Theatre. Constructed in the late 1920s as a temple for the Yaarab Shrine, the yellow-brick building was designed to “out Baghdad Baghdad” in its elaborate Middle Eastern appearance.

But the onion-domed exterior with its faux prayer towers is nothing compared to the elaborate interior. Movie mogul, William Fox leased the auditorium from the Shriners in 1929, transforming it into a movie palace like no other.

The theater became a place for premiers and performances until its very existence was threatened in the 1970s. The “Save the Fox“ campaign proved more dramatic than some of the performances that had graced the Fox’s own stage. Today the Fox is one of Atlanta’s best-known landmarks.

Atlanta author Janice McDonald grew up listening to her mother tell of watching the twinkling lights in the Fox's night sky ceiling. In her fourth book for Arcadia, she tapped not only her memories but also other Fox lovers' to help tell the rich history of this amazing theater.

In addition to The Fox Theatre for Arcadia, she has written The Varsity and co-authored Aiken and The Myrtle Beach Pavilion. She also has several published travel guides including Daytrips From Atlanta and Off the Beaten Path: Georgia.

When she is not writing, she is working in production. Janice worked for CNN for 20 years as a writer and producer before starting her own production company. Her videos have appeared on most major broadcast networks including the Travel Channel, Destination America, National Geographic and HGTV.

Join the Marietta Museum of History for an Evening with History (lecture and booksigning), on April 18 at 7 p.m.

Books are available in the Museum Store and will be on sale the night of the event. Light refreshments will be served.

"Evening with History" events are a part of the annual Lecture Series at the Marietta Museum of History. Admission is $5 per person or free for Museum members. Reservations are requested, call 770-794-5710 or visit online at MariettaHistory.org

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