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!

Thank you University of Maine at Augusta for your ongoing support and partnership! Farber Forum in Jewett Hall was the p...
08/31/2026

Thank you University of Maine at Augusta for your ongoing support and partnership! Farber Forum in Jewett Hall was the perfect venue for our 4th annual Silent Movie Festival this weekend.

Our 4th annual Silent Film Fest was brought to you, in part, by Kennebec Savings Bank. Thank you so much for helping us ...
08/30/2026

Our 4th annual Silent Film Fest was brought to you, in part, by Kennebec Savings Bank. Thank you so much for helping us bring quality programs like this to the community!

08/29/2026
Next weekend, catch three silent films, shot in Maine, screened for you with live musical accompaniment at UMA https://w...
08/22/2026

Next weekend, catch three silent films, shot in Maine, screened for you with live musical accompaniment at UMA https://www.eventbrite.com/e/up-in-maine-silent-movie-festival-tickets-1986015689389?aff=oddtdtcreator The Augusta Colonial Theater presents our 4th annual Silent Film Festival. Because we're under construction, we've partnered with UMA to use their beautiful Farber Forum in Jewett Hall. Tickets are only $10 or $5 if you're a UMA student or faculty member. There will be popcorn, waters, soda and candy.

Please join us this afternoon in honoring the life and legacy of Kathi Wall. We appreciate the outpouring of support th...
08/16/2026

Please join us this afternoon in honoring the life and legacy of Kathi Wall. We appreciate the outpouring of support thus far and would love to have those who knew and loved Kathi join us in celebrating her life and legacy. The program begins at 2 pm, but doors will be open at 1:30. https://www.facebook.com/events/1784689442888631?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D s Thank you!

We're screening three films shot in Maine and not seen for over 100 years! Join our host, Ed Lorusso, and accompanist Je...
08/02/2026

We're screening three films shot in Maine and not seen for over 100 years! Join our host, Ed Lorusso, and accompanist Jeff Rapsis for silent films as they were meant to be screened, with live musical accompaniment. The Colonial is under construction, but UMA has stepped in to provide a beautiful air conditioned comfortable place - the Farber Forum in Jewett Hall. Tickets are only $10! Concessions will be available. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/up-in-maine-silent-movie-festival-tickets-1986015689389?aff=oddtdtcreator

Address

139 Water Street, PO Box 2267
Augusta, ME
04338

Telephone

+12072093525

Website

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