Hull's
Drive-In
| location | US 11 north of Lexington, Va. |
| telephone | (540) 463-2621 |
| year opened | 1950 |
| capacity | 319 cars |
| booking policy | double features |
| admission | $5; under 12 free with adult |
| screen size | 50 by 90 feet |
| sound | FM, speakers |
| website | www.hullsdrivein.com |
Opened on August 5, 1950 as the Lee Drive-In by Waddy C. and Virginia Atkins of Roanoke; in August 1957, changed to present name under new owner Sebert W. Hull, who operated it for 41 years before passing away in early 1998. In 1999 it went dark; however, a group of local citizens, calling themselves "Hull's Angels", incorporated and mobilized in order to save their beloved drive-in from oblivion. They leased the property and put into effect their plans to revive the drive-in, and eventually purchase it outright. Thanks to their tireless efforts, it reopened in July 2000 -- the only non-profit, community-owned drive-in theatre in America. Recently the Angels completed their purchase of the business, but help is still accepted from all to make needed upgrades to the drive-in and keep it running (i.e., you too can be a Hull's Angel). Details are on the Hull's website (see above link).
Some articles on Hull's:
American Profile magazine, 6/12/2005
The Roanoker, May/June 2005
View a recent NBC Nightly
News segment on Hull's.
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| Rate/comment on this drive-in If you've been to Hull's and would like to submit your opinions, enter your name and your rating from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), and some comments if you'd like (keep any criticism constructive, please). If you just want to leave a comment, you can leave the rating space blank (but please enter your name). Please note that we are not actually affiliated with this drive-in. |
| Average rating: 4.86 (7 votes) "I live in Ohio and visit my family several times a year in Covington. Everytime I come in during the summer I have to come to the drive in. All of the family gets together and drives over. We have a great time and enjoy coming every year. You guys are doing a great job and I hope you keep this going for many years to come." 5 -- Tammy "I love this drive-in, a cheap family outing on a weekend, would like to see maybe one night a week committed to children with movies like Cars. Other than that this place is awesome, I live in Callaghan which is about 50 mins away." 5 -- JANET "Visited Hull's for the first time to see Cars with my husband. It brought back great childhood memories of going to the drive-in - the sights, smells, sounds. Awesome! The only problem is, it was sooo relaxing, I fell asleep during the movie! We drove in from Botetourt County." 5 -- Gina "Enjoy drive-in a lot. Some of the speakers need a little work." 4 -- Esther "Keep up the good work, hope it stays open for other generations" 5 -- Eddie "We come from Altavista, VA and we love the atmosphere and a good drive-in movie. It's worth the trip and it's fun. We've been coming to Hull's for 3 years and will keep coming back." 5 -- Mike Creasy "Very nicely maintained and operated. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes classic Drive-Ins." 5 -- Stan Sheridan |
Click here to see the 1990 USGS map depicting the drive-in and
surrounding area.
Click here to see a 1998 aerial photo of the drive-in.
Thanks to Joe Smith for the pictures below, taken on 6/2/2000, as the Hull's Angels were preparing the drive-in for its reopening:
More photos:
On the next page are photos of Hull's taken on reopening night, July
7, 2000.
Click here for a spectacular photo
of the then-Lee Drive-In and surrounding area, taken
shortly after the theatre's 1950 opening. Thanks
to David Atkins, grandson of the founders, for providing
the photo.
Got some additional information, or some pictures or stories about this drive-in you'd like to share? Email me -- thanks!
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