Artcraft Theatre
57 N. Main Street,
Franklin,
IN
46131
57 N. Main Street,
Franklin,
IN
46131
5 people
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The Artcraft Theatre was opened on November 1, 1922 as a vaudeville house, seating 879. They later began showing movies. It was the center of the small town of Franklin and was designed by architect Roy C. Bryant. The Artcraft Theatre holds one of the first “air conditioners”: cool water from a well in the basement would be pumped past a large fan which would extract the cold from the water and blow it through the theatre.
The Artcarft Theatre was remodeled in 1948, to the plans of architect Alden Meranda. Franklin Heritage bought the theatre in April of 2004 and is working to restore this Art Deco style theatre back to its original glory.
Contributed by
Rob Shilts
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
The official website is now at: http://www.artcrafttheatre.com
Photos of this theater can be found HERE
Drove by yesterday. Marquee says they’re open during renovation. Huge scaffolding covers front above canopy.
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Just attended a showing of “It Happened One Night” at the Artcraft. Still undergoing renovation. I was glad that it is still alive and kicking.
Nice photos.
The theater celebrates its 90th birthday: View article
Here is an item about the Artcraft Theatre from the March 5, 1921, issue of The American Contractor:
Architect/builder Roy C. Bryant also designed the Masonic Lodge in Franklin, now the Johnson County Museum of History, which is listed on the NRHP.Great curved marquee and handsome brick building.