Huntingdon Historical Society Visits The Dixie

Attendees at the September meeting of the Huntingdon Historical Society toured The Dixie and heard about its history and significance.

HUNTINGDON (September 17) Huntingdon Historical Society’s September meeting was held at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center and provided a recap of the 26-year history of the center from concept, construction, and 20 years of performances.

Susan Cary and Jean Newsome provided some highlights of the history of the building. 

It was a bold move by the late Mayor Dale Kelley, who had dreamed of a performing arts center in Huntingdon after his service in the military, where he had  seen one in a small community in Europe.

Hal designed the Hal Holbrook Theater and he and Dixie performed at The Dixie and other 

The Center has served to enrich the arts - performing and visual. An annex Mudslighers converted an old automotive service station and now serves for training in pottery.

In 1999, Mayor Dale Kelley and business leaders met to address the revitalization of Huntingdon’s Central Business District, placing an emphasis on bringing in a new restaurant and a theater for citizens of Huntingdon and its surrounding area to enjoy. That December, Mayor Dale Kelley revealed plans for the theater to be called The Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center. The Dixie is na17med after Dixie Carter, a famous actress and known resident of Carroll County.

The Dixie was to be housed in four of the original buildings downtown that were 125 years old. However, in 2004, during construction, a portion of the south wall collapsed. For safety reasons, it was decided that the original buildings would be demolished and a new building erected. Bricks from the original building have been used throughout The Dixie.

The theater within the Arts Center was named after actor Hal Holbrook, Carter’s husband. Both Holbrook and Carter supported The Dixie through fundraisers and live performances.

The Academic Enrichment Center provides educational and cultural opportunities for area children. The Dixie provides the following programs for children: dance classes, Dixie Youth Theatre, Dixie Children’s Chorus, Mudslinger’s Pottery Studio and summer camps. The Dixie also partners with Huntingdon Middle School to offer after-school classes.

Mayor Kelley proposed to Dixie and Hal Holbrook the naming of the performing arts center and theatre within the performing arts center in honor of Hal Holbrook. Both Dixie and Hal were visibly moved and graciously accepted. We were delighted to include this honor for Mr. Holbrook, who was an invaluable consultant to the architect in designing the theatre at the Center. Both Dixie and Hal graciously supported The Dixie throughout these 12 years by performing fundraisers. Dixie performed her Cabaret show in 2002, and Hal has performed numerous Mark Twain Tonight! shows all to full houses and overwhelmingly grateful audiences. The Dixie has  presented hundreds of performance  and education Series events in the Hal Holbrook Theatre to over 200,000 patrons!

Additionally, The Academic Enrichment Center plays a vital role in providing opportunities for arts and culture to our children in our rural area through dance classes, Dixie Youth Theatre, Dixie Children’s Chorus, Mudslingers Pottery Studio and Summer Camps. The Dixie also partners with Huntingdon Middle School in providing after-school classes including photography, cooking, and pottery at no cost to the students.  

Some of the performances include the New York City Ballet, Nashville Symphony, Richard Marx, Lady Antebellum, Ronnie Milsap, Midtown Men, Carol Channing, Jason Isbell, Sara Evans and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The Dixie is also home to The Dixie Players, a community theatre troupe. The Dixie hosts numerous free events every season for the region, which have included the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit, U.S. Army Field Band Concert, Huntingdon Heritage Day Music and Arts Festival, Derby Day, and Main Street Christmas, to name a few. The Ballroom Gallery provides art exhibitions for various media, honoring Tennessee artists. The Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center, Home of the Hal Holbrook Theatre, has become a premier cultural venue of West Tennessee.