The Criterion Theatre is a historic performance space at 35 Cottage Street in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine. Built in 1932 when Bar Harbor's summer scene was at its height, it is one of only two Art Deco theaters in the state of Maine.[2] The theatre has in recent years struggled for financial solvency but was purchased in 2014 by a nonprofit organization. After a major renovation, the theater reopened for business in May 2015. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[1]
The theater building occupies 85 feet (26 m) of frontage on Cottage Street, which houses the theater's entrance and two storefronts, and directly abuts the adjacent buildings. Its marquee is a typical Art Deco, projecting over the sidewalk in front of the recessed entry. The flanking storefronts originally also had Art Deco style elements, but these have been lost. The building is 154 feet (47 m) deep, with its front section one story in height, while the rear, housing the auditorium, is two stories. The lobby area of the theater opens to the full width of the building behind the stores.[2] The capacity of the theater is 877 seats in the main floor and balcony.[3] The Art Deco decoration of the interior was executed by D.H. Pickering of Boston, Massachusetts. Backstage spaces include six dressing rooms and equipment for mounting theatrical productions.[2]
Historyedit
The Criterion was built in 1932, at a time when Bar Harbor was at its height as a summer resort area catering to the very wealthy. It opened on June 6, 1932, featuring vaudeville performances and movies.[2] During the height of prohibition, the basement of the Criterion was operated as a speakeasy, serving Canadian alcohol smuggled into the United States. Over the years the theater's fare was reduced to showing films during the summer. A succession of owners broadened its offerings to include live performances, but none were financially successful, and the building has since 2000 suffered from a lack of maintenance and problems with mold.
It was purchased in 2014 by a nonprofit organization for $1.2 million, with the goal of rehabilitating the structure.[3] A major renovation was undertaken with the theater reopening in May 2015. The theater currently runs movies, live theater, and music performances year round.
^ abcd"NRHP nomination for Criterion Theatre". National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-01-25.
^ ab"$2 million donation enables Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor to reopen". Bangor Daily News. October 13, 2014. Retrieved 2015-01-25.
External linksedit
Official website
3D Virtual tour
October 28, 2023
criterion, theatre, harbor, maine, criterion, theatre, historic, performance, space, cottage, street, downtown, harbor, maine, built, 1932, when, harbor, summer, scene, height, only, deco, theaters, state, maine, theatre, recent, years, struggled, financial, s. The Criterion Theatre is a historic performance space at 35 Cottage Street in downtown Bar Harbor Maine Built in 1932 when Bar Harbor s summer scene was at its height it is one of only two Art Deco theaters in the state of Maine 2 The theatre has in recent years struggled for financial solvency but was purchased in 2014 by a nonprofit organization After a major renovation the theater reopened for business in May 2015 It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 1 Criterion TheatreU S National Register of Historic PlacesCriterion Theatre Bar Harbor MaineLocation in MaineShow map of MaineLocation in United StatesShow map of the United StatesLocation35 Cottage St Bar Harbor MaineCoordinates44 23 24 N 68 12 23 W 44 39000 N 68 20639 W 44 39000 68 20639Area0 3 acres 0 12 ha Built1932 1932 ArchitectBunker amp SavageArchitectural styleArt DecoNRHP reference No 80000222 1 Added to NRHPApril 23 1980 Contents 1 Architecture 2 History 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksArchitecture editThe theater building occupies 85 feet 26 m of frontage on Cottage Street which houses the theater s entrance and two storefronts and directly abuts the adjacent buildings Its marquee is a typical Art Deco projecting over the sidewalk in front of the recessed entry The flanking storefronts originally also had Art Deco style elements but these have been lost The building is 154 feet 47 m deep with its front section one story in height while the rear housing the auditorium is two stories The lobby area of the theater opens to the full width of the building behind the stores 2 The capacity of the theater is 877 seats in the main floor and balcony 3 The Art Deco decoration of the interior was executed by D H Pickering of Boston Massachusetts Backstage spaces include six dressing rooms and equipment for mounting theatrical productions 2 History editThe Criterion was built in 1932 at a time when Bar Harbor was at its height as a summer resort area catering to the very wealthy It opened on June 6 1932 featuring vaudeville performances and movies 2 During the height of prohibition the basement of the Criterion was operated as a speakeasy serving Canadian alcohol smuggled into the United States Over the years the theater s fare was reduced to showing films during the summer A succession of owners broadened its offerings to include live performances but none were financially successful and the building has since 2000 suffered from a lack of maintenance and problems with mold It was purchased in 2014 by a nonprofit organization for 1 2 million with the goal of rehabilitating the structure 3 A major renovation was undertaken with the theater reopening in May 2015 The theater currently runs movies live theater and music performances year round See also editNational Register of Historic Places listings in Hancock County MaineReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 a b c d NRHP nomination for Criterion Theatre National Park Service Retrieved 2015 01 25 a b 2 million donation enables Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor to reopen Bangor Daily News October 13 2014 Retrieved 2015 01 25 External links editOfficial website 3D Virtual tour Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Criterion Theatre Bar Harbor Maine amp oldid 1171608250, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
