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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » Maine » Portland » State Theatre

State Theatre

Portland, ME
609 Congress Street
, Portland, ME 4101 United States
(map)
Status: Closed
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Atmospheric, Spanish Renaissance
Function: Unknown
Seats: 2058
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Herbert W. Rhodes
Firm: Unknown
Add a photo for this theater!
The State Theatre opened on 8th November 1929 and was designed in a semi-Atmospheric/Spanish style. The original seating capacity was for 2,300. It operated as a first run movie house until the late-1960's, when it became a porn theater.

In 1989, the theatre was closed and fell into disrepair. By the mid-1990's, the theatre was saved and restored. It closed for a brief time after its restoration and was reopened by new owners as a performing arts and concerts venue.

Closed again in early-2007, it was the last of the movie palaces left in the city of Portland, Maine.
Contributed by Michael Mitchell

YOUR COMMENTS

 
In my thoughts this is one of they best places to go to a concert. I have seen lots of bands there like, George Clinton, Third eye Blind, System of a down, Black eyed peas(BEFORE they got big), and just verious others. It is just an all around good time.

HEATH
posted by ILLSON on Feb 13, 2004 at 8:17am
official website [tickets etc] at http://www.liveatthestate.com/
posted by G.E. Nordell on Jul 15, 2004 at 10:13am
http://www.mainememory.net/bin/Browse

type in "state theater" in the search bar for some old photos.
posted by TC on Apr 15, 2005 at 6:42am
Opening night feature was Gloria Swanson's first all talking film "The Trespasser".
posted by TC on May 18, 2005 at 5:57am
The State has a 2/8 Wurlitzer theatre organ, which is one of the few original installations remaining. I knew the manager back in the late 60's to early 1970's and used to enjoy playing there at times when the theatre was closed, usually early in the morning. The theatre was showing only pornography then and opened at 10 AM most days. The organ is still playable, although I understand that the console lift no longer works. The organ is almost never heard today and is never serviced. The last time I saw it was about 1976.
posted by DMLeight on Oct 17, 2005 at 7:24am
Here are a few photos, circa 1930:
http://tinyurl.com/qv4qk
http://tinyurl.com/opzog
http://tinyurl.com/neqdv
http://tinyurl.com/mbar5
posted by ken mc on Aug 26, 2006 at 8:52am
sad to say the state theatre is closed and up for sale.
posted by darklight on Mar 27, 2007 at 4:18pm
Could someone please update the status of The State Theatre? Is it still closed? Is it still up for sale? If it's for sale, any idea on the asking price? How about the name of the brokerage company, if any, and if you know the owner's name I would appreciate that as well. Thanks for any information you can share.
posted by stevepatrick on Nov 23, 2007 at 6:08pm
State Theater is currently owed by Stone Coast Properties, www.stonecoastproperties.com They own the entire Congress Building and have been making improvements and upgrades to the building since they bought it. They are currently looking for the right tenant for the State Theater, and if you are interested, you should call them. The State is a great place to see a show!
posted by tas9 on Dec 4, 2007 at 5:46pm
This is a modern (undated) photo of the State Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 28, 2008 at 8:48am
just watched the guster concert film 'guster on ice', which was filmed at this theatre in 2004.

sad to see that it is closed.
posted by uptownjen on Jun 27, 2008 at 7:24pm
The State Theatre, photographed in the snow in January 2008;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10532026@N03/2223526500/
posted by KenRoe on Aug 15, 2008 at 4:19pm
1979 photo of the State Theatre. I believe this should be listed as two screens.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c19%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=27973

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 12, 2009 at 9:18pm
1976 Night Photo

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 20, 2009 at 6:01pm
Chuck 1231 when the state theatre started showing porn movies they
made a 2nd screen in the balcony.Thats why in the pic it says state 1 and state 2.When they restored the state theatre that screen was removed during that time.Its a One screen theatre like it was before it was a porn theater.You should find out the facts before you make your comments.
posted by maleman on Aug 6, 2009 at 12:54pm
Being a little critical aren't we? I was only going by what was obvious in the photo. No where in the comments section does it say that the second screen was removed. Thus my comment about two screens.
posted by Chuck1231 on Aug 6, 2009 at 2:01pm
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