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Silver Screens of the Golden Age

Downtown Movie Theaters 1900-1979
2026-09-14 17:30:00 2026-09-14 19:00:00 America/Chicago Silver Screens of the Golden Age Local historian Terry Hughes describes the development of motion picture exhibition in downtown Evansville as theaters grew from popups and storefronts to purpose built theaters. EVPL Central - Browning Meeting Rooms A And B

Monday, September 14
5:30pm - 7:00pm

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EVPL Central

Browning Meeting Rooms A And B

Local historian Terry Hughes describes the development of motion picture exhibition in downtown Evansville as theaters grew from popups and storefronts to purpose built theaters.

Follow the development of motion picture exhibition in downtown Evansville as theaters grew from popups and storefronts to purpose built theaters. Trace how developments in Hollywood's Golden Age is reflected in the movie-going experience in Evansville.

AGE GROUP: | Adults (18+) |

EVENT TYPE: | Community Interest |

TAGS: | Local History | EVPL Central |

EVPL Central
Phone: 812.428.8200
Hours
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Mon, Aug 10 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Aug 11 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Aug 12 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Aug 13 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Aug 14 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Aug 15 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Aug 16 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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About the branch

*Originally opened in 1932 and designated as Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s main branch, EVPL Central is located at 200 SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. With 145,000 square feet, the building contains areas for kids and teens, Maker Central, Education Central, Business Central, study rooms, and the Indiana Room, a special collection of materials that focus on local and regional history. Available for public use, EVPL Central also features the Browning Rooms, a conference room, and a large group room.

Upcoming events

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Design Time
Sat, Aug 15, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
READ Center - River Room
Kick-start your creativity with a different activity each month!
Concerts on the Lawn sponsored by the EVPL Foundation - Macro Geo with Nina Snoogans
Sat, Aug 15, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Concerts on the Lawn is a summer music series with local musicians in a diverse array of... more
Concerts on the Lawn is a summer music series with local musicians in a diverse array of genres. Events on Saturdays will be at the EVPL Central Greenspace, with others on Fridays at Oaklyn & East.
Teen Gaming
Mon, Aug 17, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
We offer a variety of video, board, and card games for you and your friends to play! Game... more
We offer a variety of video, board, and card games for you and your friends to play! Game consoles: Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox 360, Wii, GameCube and PlayStation 2.
Storytime
Tue, Aug 18, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and more as we build early literacy skills through... more
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and more as we build early literacy skills through storytime! For children ages 2-5 with a caregiver.
Christian Fiction Book Discussion
Tue, Aug 18, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Large Group Meeting Room
Join us on the 3rd Tuesday of each month for a Christian Fiction Book Discussion.
Cancelled
Science of Reading Series - Presented by EVSC
Tue, Aug 18, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Join us in a 3-part Science of Reading series for community partners and families. The... more
Join us in a 3-part Science of Reading series for community partners and families. The series is led by literacy experts in the EVSC.
Back to School Bingo
Wed, Aug 19, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Café
Celebrate the start of a new school year and get to know the library at Back to School Bingo!
Family Dance Party!
Thu, Aug 20, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Bring the whole family and join us as we move & groove to old classics and new favorites!
Drawing Club
Thu, Aug 20, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Café
Novices and seasoned artists alike are invited to Drawing Club, a space where you can let... more
Novices and seasoned artists alike are invited to Drawing Club, a space where you can let your creativity flow without pressure for perfection.
Recycled Ideas
Thu, Aug 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Browning Meeting Room B
Come enjoy a fun and casual crafting night featuring repurposed and recycled items!
Back-to-School Karaoke!
Sat, Aug 22, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
READ Center - River Room
Take control of the mic and sing some of your favorite jams! There'll be popcorn, games,... more
Take control of the mic and sing some of your favorite jams! There'll be popcorn, games, and a chance to win prizes!
Teen Gaming
Mon, Aug 24, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
We offer a variety of video, board, and card games for you and your friends to play! Game... more
We offer a variety of video, board, and card games for you and your friends to play! Game consoles: Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox 360, Wii, GameCube and PlayStation 2.
Paws for Tales
Mon, Aug 24, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
READ Center - River Room
Read to a therapy animal! Children can take turns reading to our therapy dog, Oakley.
Storytime
Tue, Aug 25, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and more as we build early literacy skills through... more
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and more as we build early literacy skills through storytime! For children ages 2-5 with a caregiver.
Minecraft
Tue, Aug 25, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
READ Center - River Room
Block out an hour of your day with a session of Minecraft! We will be entering the world of... more
Block out an hour of your day with a session of Minecraft! We will be entering the world of Minecraft to build and explore with others on laptops. Registration Required. Designed for ages 6-12.
This event is full
Cancelled
Science of Reading Series - Presented by EVSC
Tue, Aug 25, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Join us in a 3-part Science of Reading series for community partners and families. The... more
Join us in a 3-part Science of Reading series for community partners and families. The series is led by literacy experts in the EVSC.
Artist Trading Card Creation Studio
Tue, Aug 25, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Café
Artists of all experience levels are invited to create pocket sized works of art to trade... more
Artists of all experience levels are invited to create pocket sized works of art to trade and collect.
Family Dance Party!
Thu, Aug 27, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Bring the whole family and join us as we move & groove to old classics and new favorites!
Drawing Club
Thu, Aug 27, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Café
Novices and seasoned artists alike are invited to Drawing Club, a space where you can let... more
Novices and seasoned artists alike are invited to Drawing Club, a space where you can let your creativity flow without pressure for perfection.
Science of Reading Series - Presented by EVSC
Thu, Aug 27, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Browning Meeting Rooms A And B
Join us in a 3-part Science of Reading series for community partners and families. The... more
Join us in a 3-part Science of Reading series for community partners and families. The series is led by literacy experts in the EVSC.
Board Game Social Hour
Thu, Aug 27, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Small Group Room 2E
Take a break from the daily grind and enjoy an evening of board games, conversation, and... more
Take a break from the daily grind and enjoy an evening of board games, conversation, and connection.
What's Cooking? - Book Discussion
Thu, Aug 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Large Group Meeting Room
A book club, but for cookbooks! Try out a different recipe each month, and come to discuss... more
A book club, but for cookbooks! Try out a different recipe each month, and come to discuss with other passionate home cooks.
Teen Gaming
Mon, Aug 31, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
We offer a variety of video, board, and card games for you and your friends to play! Game... more
We offer a variety of video, board, and card games for you and your friends to play! Game consoles: Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox 360, Wii, GameCube and PlayStation 2.
National Trail Mix Day & EVV Trails Celebration
Mon, Aug 31, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Large Group Meeting Room
Come join us to learn about our local Evansville trails, trail mix recipes, and how to... more
Come join us to learn about our local Evansville trails, trail mix recipes, and how to build a bag of trail mix at our build-your-own trail mix bar.
Community Art Swap
Tue, Sep 01, All day
Popular Materials Center
Build your collection of local handmade art by trading some of your own! The community art... more
Build your collection of local handmade art by trading some of your own! The community art swap is designed for small, flat artworks no more than 4"x6".
Storytime
Tue, Sep 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and more as we build early literacy skills through... more
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and more as we build early literacy skills through storytime! For children ages 2-5 with a caregiver.
Play & Learn
Wed, Sep 02, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Grow early literacy skills with stories, group learning activities, and plenty of open play... more
Grow early literacy skills with stories, group learning activities, and plenty of open play time! For ages 0-5 with a caregiver.
Health Information Tables
Wed, Sep 02, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Lobby
Receive health information to help keep you and your family healthy.
Homeschool Hangout - Pink Eraser Stamps
Wed, Sep 02, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Browning Meeting Room B
Teens 12-18 are invited to make friends, build skills, and learn about the library through... more
Teens 12-18 are invited to make friends, build skills, and learn about the library through new activities the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
Pokémon Club
Wed, Sep 02, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
READ Center - River Room
Drifloon over to the library and join us the first Wednesday of every month to celebrate... more
Drifloon over to the library and join us the first Wednesday of every month to celebrate all things Pokémon! Intended for grades 2nd-6th.
Nonfiction Book Club
Wed, Sep 02, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Large Group Meeting Room
Join us on the 1st Wednesday of each month for an illuminating nonfiction book discussion!
Family Dance Party!
Thu, Sep 03, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Bring the whole family and join us as we move & groove to old classics and new favorites!
Drawing Club
Thu, Sep 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Café
Novices and seasoned artists alike are invited to Drawing Club, a space where you can let... more
Novices and seasoned artists alike are invited to Drawing Club, a space where you can let your creativity flow without pressure for perfection.
Classic Film Series
Thu, Sep 03, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Browning Meeting Rooms A And B
Come join us the first Thursday of every month for respected masterpieces, underrated gems,... more
Come join us the first Thursday of every month for respected masterpieces, underrated gems, and fan favorites, projected on a wall-sized screen. Free popcorn and soda at every film.
Friday Morning with Patchwork - Free Blood Pressure checks
Fri, Sep 04, 9:30am - 11:30am
Registered nurses provide free blood pressure screenings and simple health information.
Baby & Me
Fri, Sep 04, 10:00am - 10:45am
READ Center - River Room
Songs, rhymes, and playing with toys are great for learning and bonding with your baby! For... more
Songs, rhymes, and playing with toys are great for learning and bonding with your baby! For children ages birth to 24 months with a caregiver.
Origami Club
Fri, Sep 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Large Group Meeting Room
Learn and share the love of paper folding
Storytime
Tue, Sep 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and more as we build early literacy skills through... more
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and more as we build early literacy skills through storytime! For children ages 2-5 with a caregiver.
Play & Learn
Wed, Sep 09, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Grow early literacy skills with stories, group learning activities, and plenty of open play... more
Grow early literacy skills with stories, group learning activities, and plenty of open play time! For ages 0-5 with a caregiver.
Collage Bookmark Craft - for Teens
Wed, Sep 09, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Café
Create your own bookmark out of old book pages, magazines, pressed flowers, stickers,... more
Create your own bookmark out of old book pages, magazines, pressed flowers, stickers, ribbons, and other scrapbooking materials.
Family Dance Party!
Thu, Sep 10, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Bring the whole family and join us as we move & groove to old classics and new favorites!
Drawing Club
Thu, Sep 10, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Café
Novices and seasoned artists alike are invited to Drawing Club, a space where you can let... more
Novices and seasoned artists alike are invited to Drawing Club, a space where you can let your creativity flow without pressure for perfection.
Baby & Me
Fri, Sep 11, 10:00am - 10:45am
READ Center - River Room
Songs, rhymes, and playing with toys are great for learning and bonding with your baby! For... more
Songs, rhymes, and playing with toys are great for learning and bonding with your baby! For children ages birth to 24 months with a caregiver.
Candace Fleming Storytime
Sat, Sep 12, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
READ Center - River Room
This special storytime will feature books by Candace Fleming. She will be visiting EVPL... more
This special storytime will feature books by Candace Fleming. She will be visiting EVPL Central on September 17 at 6:00 pm, so learn about her and listen to wonderful stories before the visit!
Sensational Sensory Play
Mon, Sep 14, 10:00am - 11:00am
READ Center - River Room
Our Sensory Play Program offers fun, hands-on activities that stimulate children's senses.
Teen Gaming
Mon, Sep 14, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
We offer a variety of video, board, and card games for you and your friends to play! Game... more
We offer a variety of video, board, and card games for you and your friends to play! Game consoles: Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox 360, Wii, GameCube and PlayStation 2.
Silver Screens of the Golden Age - Downtown Movie Theaters 1900-1979
Mon, Sep 14, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Browning Meeting Rooms A And B
Local historian Terry Hughes describes the development of motion picture exhibition in... more
Local historian Terry Hughes describes the development of motion picture exhibition in downtown Evansville as theaters grew from popups and storefronts to purpose built theaters.
See all events