State Theatre - Portland, Maine
The State Theatre opened on Congress Street on November 8, 1929, designed by architect Herbert W. Rhodes in a mix of Spanish, Moorish, and Art Deco styles. Built for movies and stage shows, it seated nearly two thousand people and featured a Wurlitzer organ, an ornate plaster ceiling, and a grand lobby lined with marble and tile. It debuted just as the Great Depression began, but for decades remained one of Portland’s busiest theaters, showing first-run films and hosting community events.
By the 1960s, audiences had dwindled and maintenance lagged. The balcony was divided off in the 1970s to create a second screen, and for a time the State showed adult films. The ornate details faded under neglect, and in 2006 the theater was closed for fire-code violations and safety issues.
A full restoration began a few years later, returning the space to a single auditorium and repairing the original decorative plaster, lighting, and stage. The State reopened in 2010 as a live performance venue, with updated seating, sound, and backstage facilities designed for concerts and touring acts.
Today, the State Theatre is one of Portland’s busiest cultural venues, hosting national performers, local musicians, and film events. Above the auditorium, the rest of the building houses offices, studios, and small businesses. Nearly a century after its opening, the State remains a centerpiece of downtown Portland’s arts scene—rebuilt, but still doing the work it was designed for: bringing people together in the dark to watch the stage come alive.
Matt Lambros ME Portland Oct 06, 2025 History Theaters
Oct 06, 2025
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