Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Bessemer’s Lincoln Theatre added to “Places in Peril” list
Reading time: 4 minutes
Bessemer’s historic Lincoln Theatre has been added to the 2025 Places in Peril list, according to a press release from the Alabama Historical Commission. First opened in 1948, the Lincoln Theatre closed in the 1980s and is currently undergoing a renovation led by The Holland Project, a non-profit founded by the family of acclaimed actor and Bessemer native André Holland.
Lincoln Theatre added to 2025 Places in Peril list
In a recent press release, the Alabama Historical Society announced that the Lincoln Theatre has been added to the 2025 Places in Peril list. Created in 1994 to identify and preserve Alabama’s most endangered historic properties, the Places in Peril program aims to help raise awareness for a select number of historic and archaeological sites in the state.
“For over 30 years, the Alabama Historical Commission’s Places in Peril program has highlighted Alabama’s most at‑risk historic properties. Recognizing a site is our way of emphasizing its importance and encouraging the preservation efforts needed to ensure its future.”
Lisa D. Jones, Executive Director, Alabama Historical Commission and State Historic Preservation Officer
Other sites on the 2025 Places in Peril list include:
- Ariton Universalist Church, Dale County
- Burnt Corn Bethany Baptist Church, Conecuh County
- Georgiana Pedestrian Bridge, Butler County
- McCafferty House, Mobile County
- Whistlers Citizen Cemetery, Mobile County
About Bessemer’s historic Lincoln Theatre
Opened in 1948, the Lincoln Theatre was once a popular attraction and community hub in Bessemer, a Birmingham suburb about 20 minutes away from downtown. At the time, the Lincoln Theatre was one of the few places where African-American audiences could view first-run showings of new movies. The Lincoln Theatre was last used as a cinema in the 1980s; afterwards, the building was used for other businesses and for storage.
In 2017, acclaimed actor and Bessemer native André Holland purchased the Lincoln Theatre with plans to restore it as a public event space and cultural asset. To help with the restoration, André’s family—including parents Mary and Donald and sister Natalie—incorporated the non-profit Holland Project.
“Renovation of the Lincoln is the first major initiative of The Holland Project, the 501c3 that our family founded in 2017.”
Mary Holland, André’s mother and a founder of the nonprofit
Although exterior construction on the Lincoln has not yet begun, The Holland Project has had plenty going on behind the scenes. In March 2025, the organization received a $56,000 design grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts Creative Places program. Three months later, the Susan Mott Webb Foundation awarded a $10,000 project planning grant.
The Holland Project also added eight new board members in 2025:
- Bessemer Historic Commission member Melanie Bouyer
- Community activist Ann Griffin
- Filmmaker T. Marie King
- Producer Lanaria Johnson
- Attorney Randall Minor
- Alabama Power VP of customer relations Jonathan Porter
- Inventure Renewables CEO Rusty Sutterlin.
The Lincoln Theatre is only the fourth theatre building to receive an individual listing on the Places in Peril program. Others include:
- The Montgomery Theatre/Webber building (listed 2015)
- The West Blocton Theatre (listed 2020)
- The Lyric Theatre (listed 2009; later highlighted as a “Places in Peril success story”)
“The PIP listing gives the organization major statewide recognition. It sends a powerful signal about the future of historic Bessemer. What we have started with the Lincoln will reverberate throughout the Downtown Historic District.”
Glenny Brock, project consultant
The Hollad Project also owns Bessemer’s Albano/Woolworth building, located one block away from the Lincoln Theatre at 1900 2nd Ave N.
“The Albano/Woolworth building could easily be just as important for the community as the Lincoln. That was the first commercial lot sold in Bessemer and we have the opportunity to revive it as a seat for arts and culture.”
Mary Holland, Founder, The Holland Project
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