State Theatre
609 Congress Street,
Portland,
ME
4101
609 Congress Street,
Portland,
ME
4101
6 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
State Theatre, Portland (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: AMT (American Movie Theaters)
Architects: Herbert W. Rhodes
Functions: Concerts, Live Performances, Movies
Styles: Atmospheric, Spanish Renaissance
Nearby Theaters
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 was equipped with a Wurlitzer 2 manual 8 ranks organ. It operated as a first run movie house until 1969, when it became a porn theatre. On September 9, 1970 a second screen was added.
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.
The State Theatre re-opened in October 2010 as a concert and live performance venue.
Contributed by
Michael Mitchell
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
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!
just watched the guster concert film ‘guster on ice’, which was filmed at this theatre in 2004.
sad to see that it is closed.
The State Theatre, photographed in the snow in January 2008;
View link
The state has reopened! According to their new website they have undergone extensive renovations and they have a variety of events coming up. Movies are included among their events – Dec. 3 has a special showing of the Wizard of Oz.
I was there the other day on a bike trip. It was my last nite in town and I really wanted some interiors. The staff was nice enough to let me roam the place, even though a huge band was about to take the stage, and unaccompanied, no less. I got about 15 minutes of pix everywhere, including orchestra and both balconies. Upstairs is NOT ornate in the balconies at all. Love looking at atmospheric. No crazy ceilings or chandeliers. I’ll post pix sometime soon.
4 images added to Photos Section.
The Theatre Historical Society archive has the MGM Theatre Report for the State; it’s Card # 431. Address is 603 Congress St. There is an exterior photo taken May 1941. Condition is Good. The report says it’s over 15 years old (incorrect), was showing MGM movies, and had 2,041 seats.
I added two photos I took today.
The State opened on the eighth of November 1929. ad:
State Theatre opening 03 Nov 1929, Sun Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine) Newspapers.com
In 1969 the State started to show adult movies including “I Am Curious (Yellow)” (Jag är nyfiken – en film i gult). The second screen opened on September 9th, 1970. Ads posted.