The Florida Theatre in Jacksonville has been named the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Historic Theatre Award by the League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT). The announcement was made during a reception held at the nearly century-old venue, attended by over 100 people including board members, staff, volunteers, and LHAT representatives.
“Stewarding a historic institution and precious community asset like the Florida Theatre is a team effort, and on behalf of the board, the staff, and the volunteers, which is well over 400 people, it was an honor to receive this national recognition,” said Numa Saisselin, President of the Florida Theatre.
Don Cameron, Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center, Inc., commented on his personal connection to the venue. “My wife Holly and I love live music so much that we named our dogs after two members of the Eagles. I remember going to the Florida Theatre as a kid. It was a special place then, and it still is now. As a music lover and a Jacksonville native, I am proud to support the nonprofit Florida Theatre and bring this award home for our community.”
The Florida Theatre is recognized as one of America’s most attended theatres for venues with up to 2,000 seats. It has consistently ranked among the top five in its category according to industry publications Pollstar and VenuesNow. The theatre is known for its historical moments such as Elvis Presley’s performance in 1956 when he was told not to swivel his hips by a municipal judge, and for hosting an early appearance by Derek Trucks with the Allman Brothers Band in 1991.
The selection committee highlighted both preservation efforts and service to Jacksonville’s diverse community as reasons for choosing the Florida Theatre. Since opening in 1927 with 1,865 seats, ownership transitioned from private hands to public stewardship under various organizations. In recent decades, significant investments have been made in renovations—over $17 million since 2020—with additional funding planned through 2030.
Ken Stein, President and CEO of LHAT, emphasized the significance of this year’s award: “Considering the League represents hundreds of historic theatres, including all of the major Broadway houses, the community of Jacksonville should feel very proud of this recognition.” He also noted that there was a record number of nominations this year.
The annual Outstanding Historic Theatre Award recognizes excellence in community impact, programming quality, services offered, and restoration efforts. “It was apparent to the League that the Florida Theatre has remained true to its architectural history while remaining relevant to its changing audiences,” said Stein.
Nominations were reviewed by former LHAT Board Presidents along with industry leaders from across America. Previous recipients include notable venues such as New York’s City Center and Atlanta’s Fox Theatre.
Founded in 1976, LHAT works to sustain historic theatres throughout North America. Its membership includes nearly 400 theatres or organizations representing over 1,600 users. More information about LHAT can be found at www.lhat.org.
