Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium is a historic performance venue built between 1922 and 1924 to honor veterans of World War I. Designed by renowned architect R. H. Hunt, who also designed Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theatre, the auditorium cost $700,000 to construct. The large main theater seats 3,866 people, while a smaller upper theater accommodates 1,012 guests. Since its opening, Memorial Auditorium has hosted religious festivals, political rallies, debutante balls, operas, musicals, and concerts, making it a central hub for the city’s cultural life.

Over the decades, the Memorial Auditorium underwent multiple renovations to preserve its grandeur. The auditorium also played a role in a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 1975, when its board of directors denied permission for the controversial musical Hair due to its nudity, leading to the case Southeastern Promotions, Ltd. v. Conrad. The court ruled that the prohibition was an illegal prior restraint, setting an important precedent for freedom of expression in public venues.

One of the auditorium’s most treasured features is its historic concert pipe organ, dating back to the building’s original construction. After a 21-year restoration effort led by the Chattanooga Music Club, the organ was rededicated in 2007 and remains a key part of the venue’s legacy. Today, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium continues to serve as a vibrant cultural landmark, attracting performers, audiences, and history enthusiasts alike.