Historic Avalon Theatre Switches to Digital Projection

Chevy Chase neighborhood gem Avalon Theatre (5612 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC) is beloved for its classic look and for its distinction as one of the city's last remaining movie houses from the early 20th century.

And, it just received an upgrade that will make watching movies there even more enjoyable: It recently replaced its 35-millimeter film projectors with digital projectors, WTOP reported.

The first movie digitally projected in the c. 1923 theater was Star Trek Into Darkness, on May 16, WTOP added.

Last fall, the theater announced that its fundraising campaign was complete.

The Avalon Legacy Campaign——reached its goal last fall of raising $2 million to restore the theater, according to an email campaign leaders sent to supporters of the historic theater.

"The campaign dollars were most recently put to work installing an updated, energy-efficient HVAC system in the downstairs theater. At the same time, finishing touches are being made to the design of the long-awaited elevator project. Renovation of the downstairs lobby of the Avalon 2, including new restrooms, is part of this project, which will begin in 2013," the email message stated, Patch reported.

Read more about the theater's restoration on WTOP's website.

Will you miss seeing films via 35-millimeter projectors? Will digital projection take away from the historic character of the theater? Tell us in the comments.