Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb

DeKalb, United States

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

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The Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb, Illinois, is a 1928–1929 Egyptian Revival cinema built in response to the national fascination with Ancient Egypt that swept the United States following the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Designed by architect Elmer F. Behrns, whose personal interest in Egyptology shaped the project, the building's interior and exterior ornament evokes Egyptian cultural symbols, including stained glass panels depicting Ra, the sun god, and the sacred scarab. The 1,430-seat auditorium remains DeKalb County's largest theatre. Nearly demolished in the 1970s, the structure was saved through a restoration effort by Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre (PET) and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today it operates year-round, hosting up to 125 events annually.

Movement

Egyptian Revival architecture

Type: theatre building, movie theater, Egyptian theatre
Heritage: National Register of Historic Places listed place
Place: DeKalb, United States

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Location

41.93095, -88.75257