Bama Theatre Wins $75,000 Grant for Window Replacement & More

The historic Bama Theatre in downtown Tuscaloosa has been awarded a $75,000 state preservation grant to replace windows and fund other building updates.

In a letter to state Rep. Norman Crow, whose district includes the landmark, the Alabama Historical Commission said the money comes from the 2026 Historic Sites Grant Program. The State Legislature funds that pool, with $3.5 million for preservation and educational programming at historic sites across Alabama.

The program drew more than 80 applications requesting over $6 million in total funding. Crow said the Theatre's winning application will make a visible impact.

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"I am proud to announce that our historic Bama Theatre has been awarded a grant to help replace windows and make important updates to the building," Crow said. "This investment will help preserve one of Tuscaloosa's most treasured landmarks for future generations to enjoy."

As the Thread has previously reported, the Tuscaloosa County Commission agreed earlier this year to purchase the Bama Theatre from the Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority, ensuring the nearly 90-year-old Greensboro Avenue landmark remains under civic ownership.

The theatre opened in 1938 following construction by the Public Works Projects Administration as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal. Its auditorium was designed to evoke a Mediterranean courtyard under a starlit sky, with Italian murals accentuating the theme. The Arts and Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County continues to manage programming at the venue.

Crow credited collaboration between his office, the County Commission, and PARA in securing the grant.

"I am grateful to the Alabama Historical Commission for awarding this important grant and for its commitment to preserving Alabama's historic places," he said. "This funding will have a lasting impact on our community and the continued vitality of the Bama Theatre."

Formal award letters from the Alabama Historical Commission will be issued soon.

For more exclusive coverage of community and development news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.