The Forgotten History of the Hampton Theatre in Hampton, NH

The Hampton Theatre occupied the second floor of the former Oceanside Grange Hall at 69 High Street in Hampton, New Hampshire. The building itself has an unusual history. It was originally Frank Mason’s barn, which had previously served as a sawmill. The structure was moved from its original location near Dearborn Avenue in 1928–1929 and converted into the Grange Hall. More than a decade later, the upstairs hall was adapted for use as a movie theater.

The theater opened on October 2, 1942, as the Winter Barn Theatre. Bernard H. Stevens and his wife, Van, managed the operation. The opening feature was This Above All, starring Tyrone Power and Joan Fontaine. It was accompanied by newsreels and short films, including Power for Defense. Evening screenings began at 6:45 and 8:45, with additional matinees during the week. Admission was 39 cents for evening performances, while children paid 17 cents for matinees. Women attending opening weekend screenings received promotional photographs of Tyrone Power.

The Winter Barn Theatre was initially intended as a seasonal business, but Stevens decided to remain open throughout the year. On October 8, 1943, the theater reopened under its new name, the Hampton Theatre. The upstairs auditorium offered double features, newsreels, cartoons, trailers, and serial adventures. A popcorn stand operated in the downstairs hallway, where a box cost 10 cents. Jackie Cate, who worked at the concession stand, eventually moved into the box office and learned to operate the projection equipment. By the late 1940s, adult evening admission had increased to 50 cents.

The Hampton Theatre closed on March 31, 1951, after nearly eight and a half years of operation. Stevens attributed the closing to declining attendance, particularly the growing number of television sets in local homes. The building was subsequently used by American Legion Post 35, which continues to occupy the property. The second floor still contains an event hall and small stage. Unlike many of the region’s early movie theaters, the former Hampton Theatre survives, although its original theatrical use has long since ended.