Bar Harbor in Hancock County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Criterion Theatre
⎯⎯⎯
Le Théâtre Criterion

Bar Harbor, Maine

— The Museum in the Streets —

Criterion Theatre/ Le Théâtre Criterion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel

1. Criterion Theatre/ Le Théâtre Criterion Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Criterion Theatre opened June 6, 1932 with a vaudeville and picture show. The building was built by George McKay at a cost of $150,000. The original Art Deco interior is one of its most outstanding features. The “flying” balcony is among the longest attempted in the United States. It is unsupported by posts but instead is hung by slanting beams secured in the wall. Over the years members of the Astor Vanderbilt and Rockefeller families could be seen relaxing in their balcony seats. The theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Le Théâtre Criterion a ouvert ses portes le 6 juin 1932 avec un vaudeville et un film. Le bâtiment est l’œuvre de George McKay et coûte 150.000$. L'intérieur Art Déco en est le trait le plus remarquable. Le balcon « suspendu » est l’un des plus longs aux États-Unis. Il n'est pas soutenu par des colonnes mais suspendu à des poutres en biais prises dans les murs. Au cours des années, les families Astor, Vanderbilt et Rockefeller s’affichent dans leurs places au balcon. Le théâtre figure au Registre National des Bâtiments Historiques.

Erected 2013 by The Museum

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in the Streets. (Marker Number 28.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Bar Harbor, Maine series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1932.

Location. 44° 23.378′ N, 68° 12.365′ W. Marker is in Bar Harbor, Maine, in Hancock County. It is on Cottage Street east of Rodick Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor ME 04609, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Mount Desert Island

and in Downeast Maine. It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also Acadia.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cottage Street (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Steve Stoessel

2. Criterion Theatre/ Le Théâtre Criterion Marker

United States Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bar Harbor Fire Department / Les Pompiers de Bar Harbor (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mt. Desert Island (about 500 feet away); The Waterfront / La Front de Mer (about 600 feet away); Village Center Tours (about 600 feet away); Donald A. Wood Band Stand (about 700 feet away); Village Green (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bar Harbor.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 16, 2024

3. Criterion Theatre / Le Théâtre Criterion marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 16, 2024

4. Criterion Theatre / Le Théâtre Criterion marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2021, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2021, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?

Criterion Theatre⎯⎯⎯Le Théâtre Criterion

Bar Harbor, Maine

— The Museum in the Streets —

Criterion Theatre
⎯⎯⎯
Le Théâtre Criterion