Harte Theatre

481 Main St
Bennington, VT 05201

The Harte Theatre opened in 1915 and was built for Drama,vaudeville and movies. It was re-modeled in the 1950's

Here is an article from a local paper on 7/19/61 re the conversion from theater to films:

"Bennington is going to have a movie theater", John R. Harte,
attorney for Harte Realty Corp. announced yesterday. Projected
opening date is after Labor Day.
Harte said the Harte Theater at 481 Main St. has been leased to
Lloyd H. Bridgham of Dover, N.H., a theater-chain owner and operator who has theaters in the Vermont cities of Rutland and Barre.

Two weeks ago Bridgham stored 250 movie theater chairs inside the Harte Thealer in anticipation of completing negotiations with Harte.
"We are going to completely modernize the theater," Harte said. He described renovating and refurbishing the theater as "a joint venture."

Harte said he was happy to announce signing of the lease agreement and said it was a result of "the insistence of the public. We are going into this with our fingers crossed since we are opening a theater when people are still closing movie houses all around the country," Harle said. Bridgham, as leasee of the theater, will have complete control, Harte said, "from the marquee straight on through."
"I am sure he desires to make every effort to supply people with
first-class entertainment," Harte added.

Harte said his efforts to secure a lease for the theater were influenced "by an honest attempt to provide a place for young people
to have an entertainment outlet". Picking up the current slogan
of movies, Harte added, "after all, TV leaves a lot to be desired."

The Bennington Evening Banner reported on 2/10/59 that the entire Harte Theater block had been leveled in a fire the night before. I assume the theater was rebuilt after that conflagration.

Ken, the building that burned in 1959 was on the north side of Main Street, just east of the intersection with North Street; it was also known as the Opera Block.

1986 photo of the Harte Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c45%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=34732

The Harte Theater is listed in the 1935 Film Daily Yearbook as closed with 1,000 seats.

1983 Photo

LM, you stated that in the 1935 FDY that the Hart was listed as closed, is this the same theatre all through the comments or were there two Hart Theatres. Some of the info is confusing unless it is me again. PS it was 92 degree in Waikiki yesterday.

That's a good question Chuck. It could be the same theater and probably opened again after 1935 although I can't find a Harte Theater listed in later editions. Another mystery.

Well we at least know it was open in 1983. LOL I noticed that Ken Roe said in his comment that it was remodeled in the 1950's. Like you said another mystery.

I wonder if this theater had another name. In 1940 there is an Uptown Theater listed with 1,000 seats which is the same seat count given for the Harte Theater in 1935. The Uptown is still listed in 1950. In 1955 only the General Stark Theater is listed for Bennington. Could this theater have operated as the Uptown until the 1950s and then the name changed back to the Harte Theater?

It must have been the same theatre with a new name, the address for the Uptown Theatre is the same as the General Starke Theatre, 481 Main St.