By DON NAPIER
When the original Palace Theatre was built in the 1930’s, it opened as a traditional movie theater and served the community well. For years it was known as the Movie House on Main Street, and for many, it was where they saw their first motion picture. 
After years of neglect, the old Palace Theatre became an eyesore for many, and in 1997 became the center of debate. Save it for the future, or tear it down?  A campaign to save the “Jewel of Main Street” ensued and it was put on the ballot for the public to decide.
Voters spoke. The decision was to save the old girl! 
The City of Crossville approved $550,000 initially for the renovation, but it needed additional funds to complete, once the adjoining “Mitchell Building” was included. The historic Palace Theatre reopened in 2001, and since the first day, its popularity has been on a steady incline.

Now fully restored, it is a multi-use community auditorium and visitors’ center. “We host concerts of Jazz, Blues, Country, Bluegrass and Rock,” said  Palace Administrator Terry Ashburn. The facility has a 302 seat auditorium with lobby and concession area. It has a 22’ x 25’ stage with full lighting and professional sound system.
“The Palace provided the public with a distraction from everyday life during the difficult war years,” Ashburn added. “And it still provides a high quality “something to do” for fun seekers of all ages in the Crossville, Cumberland Plateau and the East TN area. Our newly renovated auditorium and premium sound system ensures that you will enjoy whatever show you see here.”
The Palace Theatre is not only what it used to be . . . it is much more. The Palace is also a wonderfully functional community center, meeting hall and multi-media facility, suitable for sales or training presentations, committee meetings or even regional trade shows. 
If you need a centerally located place to hold your seminars or professional classes, the Palace has the projectors for your PowerPoint presentation, as well as a concession stand for class breaks or lunch, and the friendly staff to support all your training needs. If your business needs a larger area, for large scale lectures or awards ceremonies, the auditorium itself, can be utilized in conjunction with some of the other common areas to give your business function plenty of room and a professional atmosphere. 
Some of the benefits include:
• Professional sound system
• Theatre class lighting
• A newly acquired Baby Grand Piano
• Acoustic surfacing
• Full Kitchen
• Pleasant, well lit café
• Internet connectivity and Wireless
The Palace does hold regular functions, but their schedule is quite flexible and management will do everything within their power to accommodate the customer. 

Theatre Stats past 4 years
31 – Average number of groups per month using the Theatre over the last four years.
367 – Average number of groups per year using the Theatre over the last four years. 
2,100 – Average attendance per month for past four years.
25,403 – Average attendance per year over the last four years.
59% – Since 2007, attendance at the Theatre increased by.  
63% – Since 2007, revenue at the Theatre has increased by.

The Palace Theatre by the numbers for 2010:
30 – Fundraiser events
48 – School sponsored events
59 – Other events: rehearsal, birthday parties, receptions etc.
90 – Musical concerts
89 – Movies: schools and other groups
120 – Meetings: businesses, government, and other groups