Augusta Colonial Theater

Augusta Colonial Theater The Augusta Colonial Theater represents an important piece of Augusta history - that of the early film (silent and sound) industry in this country. Coombs.

The mission is to restore and operate the historic Augusta Colonial Theater in the downtown of Augusta as an arts and cultural center for the artistic, educational and charitable benefit of the community. The Theater was opened in downtown Augusta in 1913 to plans by the Maine architect Harry S. The building exhibits the lingering influence of Beaux Arts design, coupled with Georgian Revival deta

ils and a retrained, geometric patterning that anticipated the Art Deco style. The building suffered extensive damage in a 1926 fire, and the theater was rebuilt and expanded. It featured silent films with live music until sound pictures were introduced in the late 1920s. In its heyday, the Colonial was a center for entertainment before the age of abundant automobiles, videotapes and cable TV. The Colonial was one of two theaters in Augusta; its competitor, the Capitol Theatre, was at the other end of Water Street. The Capitol was demolished in 1983 after a third major fire in the building. It has a long history as a gathering place for the community. Local filmmakers stored their movies in the film rooms and debuted movies at the theater. Community members were employed as actors, carpenters, and managers. During World War II, bond drives were held at the theater. In 1969, the Colonial Theater closed and sat abandoned for decades. In the mid-1990s a group of individuals formed the nonprofit, Colonial Theater, Inc. and saved it from demolition. In 2014, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Colonial Theater, Inc. is resurrecting the Augusta Colonial Theater as an arts and cultural center for the community. Our major goal is the restoration of the historic theater, though our vision has expanded to include not just the theater, but an entire arts and cultural center in the Downtown Historic District of Augusta. We engage professionals and local tradespeople in historic restoration and are actively fundraising to make this vision a reality. In 2017, the Board began physical work on the ACT. The roof was repaired, toxic coal ash was abated in the basement, and structural supports for the auditorium floor were rebuilt. In 2019-2020, the beautiful 1926 Art Deco façade was recreated. In 2023-2024 the original doors and windows along the facade were restored. Our “new-old” public face has caused a great deal of excitement in the community. As part of our plan, we will engage the community in programming while using as much of the theater as possible for workshops, lectures, community gatherings, tours and events. We are not yet operational and amenities inside are limited, but we welcome programming that will "work" in our "construction zone" and eagerly await the day when our doors will reopen for good!

05/25/2026
This position is still open, though the hiring process is progressing. If you're interested in joining our Quest, don't...
05/19/2026

This position is still open, though the hiring process is progressing. If you're interested in joining our Quest, don't wait - reach out via e-mail today! Please see our website for more information www.augustacolonialtheater.com. If interested, please submit a letter of interest and resume to: [email protected]

Check us out in today's Kennebec Journal. Thanks to our Board Chair and Vice Chair, Alicia Gaudet and Gary Peachey for c...
05/03/2026

Check us out in today's Kennebec Journal. Thanks to our Board Chair and Vice Chair, Alicia Gaudet and Gary Peachey for contributing to the story. Also thanks to the Parkhurst Family, Senators Collins and King, and all those who have supported-and continue to support-our mission over the years. As the article states, we're ready to get this done!!!

The historic theater hosted its first ticketed event in more than 50 years back in 2022, and new renovations and additions to the building aim to bring it back to the center of downtown Augusta life.

Just a sneak peek...the stage is coming along well and the stage left/right access walkway over the river is looking goo...
05/01/2026

Just a sneak peek...the stage is coming along well and the stage left/right access walkway over the river is looking good. The KJ was out today so look for an article in the Sunday paper!

We'd like to take this moment to thank Andrew Silsby for serving three terms on our Board in a number of capacities incl...
04/20/2026

We'd like to take this moment to thank Andrew Silsby for serving three terms on our Board in a number of capacities including as Chair and Vice Chair. Andrew was recently made an Emeritus Board member. We'd also like to congratulate Gary Peachey for his election as Vice Chair of the Board and Alicia Gaudet for being elected to another term as Chair. Board members from left: Gary Peachey, Keith Luke, Bob Dube, Andrew Silsby, Alicia Gaudet, Caroline Saban, and Kathi Wall. Not pictured, Amanda Taylor.

If you come across the Calumet Bridge in Augusta today, you will see the JF Scott crew "flying in" pre-fabricated sectio...
04/09/2026

If you come across the Calumet Bridge in Augusta today, you will see the JF Scott crew "flying in" pre-fabricated sections of the cantilevered walkway along the back wall. This walkway will be entirely enclosed and will provide stage left-right backstage access for performers using our newly expanded stage.

Sand Hill Bagel Co. is just up the hill from the Colonial and a great place for a lunch meeting. Guess who we met with t...
04/03/2026

Sand Hill Bagel Co. is just up the hill from the Colonial and a great place for a lunch meeting. Guess who we met with today? Thanks for the info and the swag Boo Fighters Paranormal. By show of hands (likes or comments I suppose) how many of you would be interested in doing another Ghost Hunt at the Colonial later this year?

Address

139 Water Street, PO Box 2267
Augusta, ME
04338

Telephone

+12072093525

Website

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