HR937: HR937 Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre; 90th anniversary; recognize

This House resolution from the Georgia General Assembly commemorates 90 years of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre on the Historic Marietta Square in Cobb County. The theatre opened in 1935 as an Art Deco movie palace and later closed before being restored and reopened in 2009 through community fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Strand. The resolution formally honors the theatre's anniversary, thanks its board, staff, volunteers, and supporters, and encourages Georgians to take part in celebrating the milestone. It also directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send an official copy of the resolution to the theatre. The measure does not change any Georgia law; it is a ceremonial statement of recognition.

• Formally honors the 90th anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
• Extends thanks to the theatre's board, staff, volunteers, and supporters for their role in its history.
• Encourages Georgians generally to participate in celebrating the theatre's milestone and supporting its preservation.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the theatre.

The resolution directly names the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, its board, staff, volunteers, and supporters, as well as the Friends of the Strand organization. It also addresses Georgians broadly by encouraging participation in the theatre's anniversary celebration.

The resolution carries no legal or funding effect, but it gives official state recognition to a historic Marietta landmark, which can boost public awareness, community pride, and support for the theatre's continued preservation and programming.

• The preamble recounts the theatre's 1935 opening as a 1,000-seat Art Deco movie palace and its 2009 restoration led by the Friends of the Strand.
• The resolving clause honors the 90th anniversary and thanks the theatre's board, staff, volunteers, and supporters.
• The resolution encourages all Georgians to celebrate the milestone and help preserve the theatre's legacy.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the resolution to the theatre.

1. 2025-04-02House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-04-02House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Hopper (House)

• Devan Seabaugh (R, HD-034)Primary sponsor
• John Carson (R, HD-046)
• Ginny Ehrhart (R, HD-036)
• Don Parsons (R, HD-044)
• Mary Williams (D, HD-037)
• Jordan Ridley (R, HD-022)

• historic preservation
• Marietta
• arts and culture
• Cobb County
• ceremonial resolution