Newly Updated Newtown Theatre To Host Public Open House

NEWTOWN, PA — Closed since August for a major renovation, the Newtown Theatre is reopening in December and has invited the public to take a look at the changes and enjoy a free bag of popcorn.

An open house at the theatre will take place on Dec. 5 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors will experience a new hardwood floor, new vintage-style seats on the first floor, repaired plaster, a new coat of paint, a new fully accessible toilet room on the first floor, a wheelchair lift, a rebuilt front porch, new acoustic tiles in the auditorium, and a new sprinkler system for fire protection.

In the coming years, additional renovation phases will address the basement restrooms and the balcony, according to a news release.

Since the theatre has largely been untouched for more than 50 years, the renovation by Mershon Builders brought the building up to modern standards of comfort, convenience, and accessibility.

Originally built in 1831 as a hall for town gatherings and a non-sectarian church for traveling ministers, the Newtown Theatre soon became the town's center of entertainment. By the early 1850s, the then "Newtown Hall" was used regularly for performances, from social dances and concerts to theatrical productions and magic lantern shows.

The building hosted anti-slavery meetings throughout the 1850s, including sermons by Lucretia Mott and Frederick Douglass.

In 1883, the still-standing building was reconstructed and designed with stage performances in mind. The theatre showed its first movie in 1906, making it the nation’s oldest continuously operating movie theater.

In 1936, the interior of the building was renovated and new equipment was purchased to enhance the movie-going experience. Rescued in 1953 by the Newtown Community Welfare Council, which now serves as the theatre’s trustee, the community landmark survives and now hosts concerts, comedy shows, live theatre, movies and more.

Those interested can learn more about Newtown Theatre, located at 120 N. State Street, online.