Colonial Theater

I remember walking around the interior of a theatre in Laconia the weekend I was on a camping trip nearby in May of 1973. I don't remember what it was being used for then, perhaps a shop, but a friend who summered in Laconia took me inside. I don't know if it was this place. Was there any other theatre in Laconia?

Yes there was a "Garden Theater" which is now used by http://www.christlifecenter.org/

I'll add that right now.

Thanks. There are two photos of the Colonial on the Cinema Tour website. www.cinematour.com

I visited the Colonial often when vacationing at Lake Winnespaukee in the 1970s and 1980s and have many fond memories of that theater. Much more atmospheric than the twin cinema in nearby Gilford.

By the mid 1980s the Colonial had been subdivided into at least four auditoriums. The above reference to the Colonial being a single screen is wrong, unless the theater had been renovated subsequent to the subdivision.

The Historical Society excerpt used for the above summary states that "the Colonial is once again operating as a movie house" but the theater is listed as closed. Which is correct? If the Colonial is now closed, does anyone know when the Colonial closed and what the plans are for the site?

I located an article on the Laconia Citizen website (article dated June 2, 2006) that discusses the status of the Colonial and the attempts by the owners to sell the shuttered venue. Here's an excerpt:

"When it opened in 1914, the Colonial was a live-performing center with 1,400 seats. The space was divided 69 years later into four — and eventually, five — separate movie screening rooms. The theater, save for one brief period in 2003 when a New Durham couple attempted to operate it as a cinema, has been largely vacant since August 2002 when it last functioned as a combination movie house and pizzeria."

I drove by yesterday. The marquee says "for sale or lease"

-John

Before this movie theater was divided up into a bunch of theatres it was a beautiful setting not unlike the Crest theatre near where I live now in Sacramento CA.
The backstage of the theatre was still intact with backdrop ropes and 'original' lighting equipment. Behind the stage was also the dressing rooms for actors, and at that time was storage for a natural foods store and restaurant located on the side street to the left of the theatre.
I met the owner as a young kid and he offered to train me running the equipment part time (hard to get good help perhaps). I never took him up on it though I did get a tour of the projection room, very cool.

Here is a recent photo of the Colonial Theater.

i live in laconia, and the theater is currently a run down building with apartments above. it has been closed for years, and though the city talks or restoring it, nothing is being done. the building sits in the center of town and is basically ignored. from what i understand, the interior is still split up into multiple movie theaters inside.

Does the city own it or is it privately held? I'd like to get some more information on this theatre. Guess a drive up to Laconia is in my future. :)

Just an update for those interested: I've been in the theatre twice in the last few weeks and just today got a copy of the original blueprints from the owner. The building is indeed for sale but would require significant work to return it to a live performance space. This should be done and I hope to be the one to do it. If you are interested, contact me through http://www.colonialnh.com

I meant to post this a while ago...I was unable to close a deal with the current owner. As far as I know, it is still for sale or lease. I am still looking for a project, my preference is something that has a decent stage for live performances.

Save the Colonial Theater Nice photos on that site.

1983 photo of the Colonial Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c29%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=29854