Headlines
The Lyric Oxford Erects New ‘Old’ Sign
By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com
The Lyric Oxford is doing renovations to the building that will greatly mimic how the theater looked in its early days.
On Wednesday, work began to replace the sign with a new marquee modeled after the one that was on the building in the 1940s.
The Lyric received permission from the Oxford Board of Aldermen Tuesday to lease eight parking spaces in front of the building to allow its sign contractor the space to replace the marquee.
The building was first constructed in the late 1800s and was originally a livery stable owned by William Faulkner’s family in the early part of the 20th century, according to the Lyric’s website. During the 1920s, it was converted into a theater for live performances and silent films. The Lyric was the first motion picture theater in Oxford. It stopped operating as a theater in the 1970s and sat vacant until the early 1980s when it was turned into office spaces and a health center.
The Lyric was purchased by Bradley Bishop in 2007 and reopened as a theater in 2008, featuring both live performances and the occasional movie. It also serves as a popular event venue.