Park Theatre

The Park Theatre at 72 Main Street in downtown Nashua dated back to 1834/5 when it was the First Congregational Church followed by the First Freewill Baptist Church. In 1870, the church was largely destroyed in a fire and the rebuilt structure became part of Nashua commercial realty in 1872 when it was incorporated into a larger structure extending to Pearson St. That retail space would have with long-running retail stores attached including a hardware and supply store opening in the 1870s which would take over the theater in 1955.

The church became a movie theater on July 3, 1918 as the Park Theatre and closed in 1955. The entire structure was known as the Park Theatre Building even after the theater closed. The theater was probably best remembered for two things: 1) giveaways and cash nights and 2) a massive fire causing between $200,000 and $300,000 in damage in 1947.

The fire on September 28, 1947 looked like it would be the end of the theater. But 11 months later on August 28, 1948, the Park was back with a grand re-opening and ran until Sept. 1, 1951 when business was very poor. Dormant for three years, the Park would get one more shot as a Cinema Treasure relaunching under Joseph G. Kennedy on Christmas Day 1954. Despite inexpensive double features, cash nights, and dish and glass giveaways, the era of movie palaces was behind it and the theater closed on May 2, 1955 and converted away from theatrical purposes. Its final screening on May 2, 1955 with a double feature of “King of the Khyber Rifles” and “Walking My Baby Back Home.” The final Cash Night prize amount was $185.

The property has since been demolished.