The Polk Theatre Restoration Foundation

03/20/2026

Hi everyone! Fundraising planning for 2027 has officially begun! One event we’re planning is a run and we need YOUR help to make it amazing:
1️⃣ What run length would you love—5K, 10K, half-marathon, or another distance?
2️⃣ Is there a specific route you’d enjoy?

And don’t worry—if running isn’t your thing, there’s still a place for you! 🎉 At the finish line, we’ll have a fun gathering for all participants, supporters, and friends to celebrate, enjoy refreshments, and connect as a community. [*stay tuned because we’ll need vendors for that portion]

💬 Comment with your ideas, tag friends, and share this post to help us plan a run everyone can enjoy!

02/28/2026

We’re thrilled to introduce the amazing group of people helping lead our effort to save and restore The Polk Theatre! Their passion, skills, and love for this community are what will make this dream a reality!

Say hello to our Board of Directors:
Alisa Gillis, Founder, President & Secretary
Elijah Gillis, Founder & Vice President
Adam Baker, Treasurer
Robert Foriest, Board Member
Aimee Foriest, Board Member
Susan Rosalbo Callahan, Board Member
Brian Huff, Board Member

A huge thank you to this team for believing in our vision — stay tuned to get to know them better!

01/21/2026

Greg Bailey is our FIRST donor!! So excited that this journey has officially begun. This is going to be such a fun adventure!

01/21/2026

We officially have a donations page!! Click below to donate and share the link with EVERYONE you know. Let’s get this party started!!

Reviving History. Inspiring Creativity. Uniting Community.

01/18/2026

In Downtown Columbia, TN, The Polk Theatre opened October 18, 1951 by the Crescent Amusement Company with a showing of “I Can Get it for You Wholesale”. It held 1250 “retractable” seats, a “cyclorama screen” and a cry room. It was the first and only wide screen theater in Maury County up until it was twinned (split to two screens) in 1977.

At some point, the building was later sold and turned into a mattress store. It is currently being used as a warehouse for mattresses. The Polk Theatre Restoration Foundation was created to raise funds to buy the building and turn it back into an operating movie theater, live music venue, comedy club and art gallery.

Our mission is to purchase, preserve and revitalize The Polk Theatre, a historic landmark in our community, by fostering a vibrant cultural hub where the arts, history, family and friends can come together—and where every resident feels a true sense of ownership and pride. By offering diverse programming, encouraging collaboration, and celebrating local creativity we aim to inspire meaningful connections, promote local talent, create jobs and ensure this cherished venue remains an accessible, welcoming, gathering place that enriches the lives of current and future generations.

Follow along on our journey, we’re happy you’re here!

01/18/2026

We are an organization dedicated to restoring The Polk Theatre (most recently known as Alexander's Mattress World) in Downtown Columbia. Follow along for updates, to share thoughts, information, advice or encouragement. The theater is a wonderful memory for so many and I know there can be more memories made. Help bring it back to our city!

Our mission: To preserve and revitalize The Polk Theatre, a historic landmark in our community, by fostering a vibrant cultural hub where the arts, history, family and friends can come together-and where every resident feels a true sense of ownership and pride. By offering diverse programming, encouraging collaboration, and celebrating local creativity we aim to inspire meaningful connections, promote local talent, create jobs and ensure this cherished venue remains an accessible, welcoming, gathering place that enriches the lives of current and future generations.

*Reviving History. Inspiring Creativity. Uniting Community.*