Newtown in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Newtown Theatre

— Newtown Heritage Walk —

Photographed by Pete Skillman, December 23, 2024

1. Newtown Theatre Marker

Inscription.

Newtown Theatre has an extensive history dating back to 1831, being the oldest movie theater in the United States, with the first movie being shown in 1906. Originally built to be a hall for town gatherings and a non sectarian church for traveling ministers, the building soon became a center of entertainment in Newtown. By the early 1850's, "Newtown Hall" (as it was then called) was used regularly for live performances including social dances, concerts, theatrical productions, and magic lantern shows. During this period, anti-slavery meetings were organized at Newtown Hall, which included sermons by Lucretia Mott and Frederic Douglass, major figures in the reform movements of the 19th century.

In 1883, the building was reconstructed, larger than the first, and designed with stage performances in mind. The balcony was added a short time later. With the coming of television and modern movies, Newtown Theatre movies were becoming outdated. In 1936, The Newtown Exhibitors renovated the interior of the building and new equipment was purchased to enhance the movie-going experience. The theatre was originally owned by the Borough of Newtown, and then by the Trustees of Newtown Hall, and now by the Newtown Community Welfare Council.

The theatre survives today, complete with the flavor and posters of a bygone era. The old two-projector system was rearranged in 1999 to accommodate a newer xenon lamp system. In 2002, air conditioning was installed for the showing of "Signs" that was filmed, in part, in Newtown. Old play props once covered with dust behind the screen, relics of another era, found new life in 2006, when the movie screen that had been fixed in place for many years was modified so it could be moved. Once again the stage has come to life with live performances. The theatre today still shows first run movies, along with classic, and art films and has begun to feature live jazz, swing, rock, and stage shows to round out it's schedule for audiences of the next century.

Site Sponsor: The Knights of Phythias and Mr. and Mrs. James M. Baniewicz and Family

Design and layout donated by Mike DiFiori, www.BuzzGraphicDesign.com, Newtown, PA.

[Captions]:
View of Newtown Theatre, 1944.

A play at the Newtown Theatre, circa 1900.

Ticket from 1941.

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of Newtown, and then by the Trustees of Newtown Hall, and now by the Newtown Community Welfare Council.

The theatre survives today, complete with the flavor and posters of a bygone era. The old two-projector system was rearranged in 1999 to accommodate a newer xenon lamp system. In 2002, air conditioning was installed for the showing of "Signs" that was filmed, in part, in Newtown. Old play props once covered with dust behind the screen, relics of another era, found new life in 2006, when the movie screen that had been fixed in place for many years was modified so it could be moved. Once again the stage has come to life with live performances. The theatre today still shows first run movies, along with classic, and art films and has begun to feature live jazz, swing, rock, and stage shows to round out it's schedule for audiences of the next century.

Site Sponsor: The Knights of Phythias & Mr. & Mrs. James M. Baniewicz & Family

Design & layout donated by Mike DiFiori, www.BuzzGraphicDesign.com, Newtown, PA.

[Captions]:
View of Newtown Theatre, 1944.

A play at the Newtown Theatre, circa 1900.

Ticket from 1941.

Erected 2007

Newtown Theatre Marker - wide view with theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, December 23, 2024

2. Newtown Theatre Marker - wide view with theatre

by Newtown Historic Association. (Marker Number 22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Entertainment • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, Newtown Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 40° 13.873′ N, 74° 56.195′ W. Marker is in Newtown, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. It is on North State Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 N State St, Newtown PA 18940, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Newtown Common & Creek

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Daniel Dolohan House (about 400 feet away); The Dolohan House (about 400 feet away); Newtown Borough Hall (about 400 feet away); North State Street (about 400 feet away); Newtown War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Elinor Slack Campbell (about 500 feet away); Old Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newtown.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.