State Theatre

609 Congress Street,
Portland, ME 4101

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Related Websites

State Theatre, Portland (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: AMT (American Movie Theaters)

Architects: Herbert W. Rhodes

Functions: Concerts, Live Performances, Movies

Styles: Atmospheric, Spanish Renaissance

Nearby Theaters

State Theatre

The State Theatre opened on 8th November 1929 and was designed in a semi-Atmospheric/Spanish style. The original seating capacity was for 2,300. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer 2 manual 8 ranks organ. It operated as a first run movie house until 1969, when it became a porn theatre. On September 9, 1970 a second screen was added.

In 1989, the theatre was closed and fell into disrepair. By the mid-1990’s, the theatre was saved and restored. It closed for a brief time after its restoration and was reopened by new owners as a performing arts and concerts venue.

Closed again in early-2007, it was the last of the movie palaces left in the city of Portland, Maine.

The State Theatre re-opened in October 2010 as a concert and live performance venue.

Contributed by Michael Mitchell

Recent comments (view all 18 comments)

tas9
tas9 on December 4, 2007 at 5:46 pm

State Theater is currently owed by Stone Coast Properties, www.stonecoastproperties.com They own the entire Congress Building and have been making improvements and upgrades to the building since they bought it. They are currently looking for the right tenant for the State Theater, and if you are interested, you should call them. The State is a great place to see a show!

uptownjen
uptownjen on June 27, 2008 at 7:24 pm

just watched the guster concert film ‘guster on ice’, which was filmed at this theatre in 2004.

sad to see that it is closed.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on August 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm

The State Theatre, photographed in the snow in January 2008;
View link

spectrum
spectrum on November 15, 2010 at 9:33 pm

The state has reopened! According to their new website they have undergone extensive renovations and they have a variety of events coming up. Movies are included among their events – Dec. 3 has a special showing of the Wizard of Oz.

bicyclereporter
bicyclereporter on August 4, 2012 at 11:35 am

I was there the other day on a bike trip. It was my last nite in town and I really wanted some interiors. The staff was nice enough to let me roam the place, even though a huge band was about to take the stage, and unaccompanied, no less. I got about 15 minutes of pix everywhere, including orchestra and both balconies. Upstairs is NOT ornate in the balconies at all. Love looking at atmospheric. No crazy ceilings or chandeliers. I’ll post pix sometime soon.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 27, 2015 at 10:51 am

4 images added to Photos Section.

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on August 8, 2015 at 11:16 am

The Theatre Historical Society archive has the MGM Theatre Report for the State; it’s Card # 431. Address is 603 Congress St. There is an exterior photo taken May 1941. Condition is Good. The report says it’s over 15 years old (incorrect), was showing MGM movies, and had 2,041 seats.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on August 22, 2018 at 4:25 pm

I added two photos I took today.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 14, 2022 at 12:28 pm

In 1969 the State started to show adult movies including “I Am Curious (Yellow)” (Jag är nyfiken – en film i gult). The second screen opened on September 9th, 1970. Ads posted.

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