Artcraft Theatre
 The Artcraft Theatre | |
  Artcraft Theatre Location within Indiana | |
| Address | 57 N. Main St Franklin, Indiana United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°28′52″N 86°03′18″W / 39.481161°N 86.055017°W |
| Owner | Franklin Heritage, Inc. |
| Type | Movie theater |
| Current use | Movie theater and concert venue |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1922 |
| Closed | 1972 |
| Years active | 1925 - 1972 |
| Architect | John Eberson |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
The Historic Artcraft Theatre is a movie theater in Franklin, Indiana in the United States. The theater operated continuously for 75 years before closing. Today, the theater shows classic movies and hosts concerts.
History
It was built in 1922 on November 1, in an Art Deco style, and was used for Vaudeville and silent movies.[1] The theater was one of the first in the area to feature cool air when it installed a swamp cooler.[2] It served as a full-time movie theater until 2000.[3] The theatre operated continuously for 75 years before closing due to the popularity of multiplex theaters.[1]
Architecture
The building includes a full stage and orchestra pit originally intended for Vaudeville performances. The theater was purchased by Trueman Rembusch, who facilitated the theaters first renovation in 1936. In 1948, it underwent a second renovation in the Art Deco style.[4]
Today
Today, the theater is owned and operated by the non-profit, Franklin Heritage, Inc. (FHI). FHI purchased the building in 2004 and launched a $500,000 campaign to renovate the building.[5] In 2006, FHI received a state historic preservation grant towards the restoration of the theater.[3] The theater hosts bi-weekly movie showings of classic films. Films shown at the theater include The African Queen, Father of the Bride, Ben-Hur, and American Graffiti.[1][6] In 2015, the theater was chosen as one of the "4 Favorite Restored Small-Town Cinemas" by Midwest Living.[5]
References
- ^ a b c "Artcraft Theatre". Heritage Travel. Indiana Landmarks. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Artcraft Theatre", Cinema Treasures
- ^ a b Malia Savarino, "DHPA Awards 21 Preservation and Archeology Grants", Preserving Indiana, Fall/Winter 2006, p. 4, accessed 18 Aug 2010
- ^ "The Historic Artcraft Theatre/Franklin Heritage, Inc". Members. Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ a b Beaty, Candace. "Group to restore Artcraft Theatre in Franklin for live performances". Indiana Economic Digest. Daily Journal of Johnson County. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "1959 Ben-Hur Screening at Historic Artcraft Theatre". General Lew Wallace Study & Museum. Retrieved 1 April 2015.