Chief Theatre memorabilia goes on display Saturday

A lost Pocatello icon’s history will come alive Saturday as memorabilia from the historic Chief Theatre goes on display at the Bannock County Historical Museum.

The exhibit coincides with the museum’s 25th anniversary.

Before it burnt down in 1993, the Chief was one of Idaho’s premier theatres.

“Invitations were sent out to the president of the United States and things when it opened, and it was really something,” said museum director Lynn Murdock, of the theatre’s 1938 opening date.

Among the many things you’ll see at the exhibit are an original art deco drinking fountain, the theatre’s light box, an arrow-handle door and a pair of reupholstered seats.

“The fabric is from the curtain that was hanging in there that was treated with a fire retardant and didn’t burn,” said Murdock.

When you enter the exhibit, you’ll be greeted by some of the same sights that greeted moviegoers back in the day: two hand-carved medallions that used to flank the lobby doors of the Chief.

The medallions are on loan from the city of Pocatello, but much of the items in the exhibit come from the collection of Pocatello resident Randy Dixon.

“Pretty much the largest collection that I know of of memorabilia is going to be on display here,” said Murdock.

The exhibit opens Saturday at 6 p.m. and runs through Labor Day.