Press Release: Virginia General Assembly Honors Historic Academy Theatre’s Legacy and Community Impact

Senator Mark Peake and Delegate Wendell Walker Present Senate Commending Resolution at Academy Center of the Arts on June 11, 2026

Photos courtesy Academy Center of the Arts

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Community leaders, elected officials, supporters, and Academy Center of the Arts staff gathered at the Historic Academy Theatre this week as Senator Mark Peake and Delegate Wendell Walker presented a Virginia Senate Commending Resolution recognizing the theatre’s 120-year legacy and its contributions to arts, education, historic preservation, tourism, and economic vitality throughout the Commonwealth.

The presentation celebrated not only the history of the Historic Academy Theatre, but also its continued role as a place where people come together through shared experiences, creativity, and community engagement.

Originally opened in 1905, the Historic Academy Theatre has remained a fixture of downtown Lynchburg for more than a century. Following a community-supported $30 million restoration and reopening in 2018, the theatre has become the centerpiece of the Academy Center of the Arts campus and a catalyst for cultural, educational, and economic activity throughout Central Virginia.

Today, the Academy serves thousands of residents and visitors each year through performances, visual arts exhibitions, educational programming, outreach initiatives, and community partnerships.

“This is what it looks like when we care deeply about our shared humanity and the collective experiences that remind us we are united,” said Cyrus Pace, Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts, as he addressed the crowd on Thursday, June 11, during the Commending Resolution presentation.

Delegate Wendell Walker reflected on the Academy’s impact throughout the region.

“The Academy Center of the Arts is one of Lynchburg’s greatest assets,” said Walker. “It showcases the creativity, talent, and spirit of our community while drawing visitors from across the region to experience all that our city has to offer. We are proud to recognize the Academy for its continued commitment to enriching lives through the arts, supporting local artists, and serving as a gathering place for people of all ages. I am honored to join Senator Peake in celebrating the Academy’s many contributions to our community.”

Senator Mark Peake, who carried the resolution in the Virginia Senate, noted the Academy’s enduring importance to the region.

“For 120 years, the Academy Center of the Arts has enriched Central Virginia through cultural experiences, arts education, and community engagement,” said Peake. “As a cornerstone of our region’s cultural heritage, the Academy has inspired generations, supported local artists, and preserved a historic landmark for future generations.”

While the Senate Commending Resolution recognizes the Historic Academy Theatre’s remarkable history, the event also highlighted the ongoing work of the Academy Center of the Arts to expand access to the arts and strengthen community connections throughout Central Virginia.