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Those visiting the Southwest Georgia Regional Library will be greeted with a new pop-up display showcasing the history of the Fox Theatre. The display covers the theatre’s origins with the Shriners, funding by William Fox, its history during the Civil Rights Era, and the campaign to save it from demolition.

According to marketing and programming librarian Beth Jones, the display was the result of a partnership between the Fox Theatre Institute and the Georgia Public Library.

“I believe it was part of the Fox Theatre Institute wanting to branch out and use the public library to move it around the state, and not keep it around Atlanta,” Jones said.

The exhibit was originally supposed to be displayed in libraries starting in April of last year, but was ultimately put on hold due to the pandemic. Now, having been on display for a little more than a week, Southwest Georgia Regional Library is the second library in the state to have hosted it.

“There seems to be an interest, people wanting to see it,” Jones said. “Parents have brought their kids to see it.”

According to Jones, the exhibit, which also covers the theater’s layout and Arabian and Egyptian architectural influences, is intended for kids from kindergarten to fifth grade, with education packets available for teachers.

“As someone who used to live in Atlanta and has been to the Fox multiple times, I’m glad this allows people who might not be able to visit to see the theatre,” Jones said, “I hope it motivates them to go see it. It’s definitely something people should see once.”