The Kentucky Theatre, a cherished Lexington landmark, opened its doors in 1922 on Main Street. At the time, the city was dotted with cinemas. Tickets back then cost just 15 cents, and patrons were ushered to their seats by theater staff.
Fred Mills, the theater’s longest-serving employee, reflected on the history he’s come to know by heart, “There were ushers that seated you in this theater. Coming downtown, people were dressed up. Of course, this was the ’20s.”
The Kentucky Theatre faced its biggest challenge in 1987 when a restaurant fire next door forced it to close for five years. It eventually reopened, along with the adjoining State Theater, which remains in operation…