1772 Grant Recipient: The Colonial Theatre, Bethlehem

The Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem is one of sixteen grantees in 2023 for funds through The 1772 Foundation

The Colonial Theatre was built in 1914 in Bethlehem (known at the time as a premier summer destination for its clean air) and is considered the oldest operating movie theater in the United States. This $10,000 grant to the Friends of the Colonial Theatre will help fund a stand-alone roof replacement project that will preserve this historic theater. Historic preservation is one of three goals of the Friends’ strategic plan. Since the Friends group formed in 2000 and secured a lease to save the building, they have raised over $1.5 million, purchased the building, and incrementally carried out the theater’s full restoration. Today the theater is an economic driver on Main Street and a significant architectural link to the history of motion pictures and the region’s era of grand hotels.

“We are so thankful for the partnership of the N.H. Preservation Alliance and The 1772 Foundation. Their generous support is critical in helping The Colonial Theatre maintain the thoughtful up-keep of our historic building and enables The Colonial to leave a lasting legacy of cultural enrichment and historic preservation in our community,” said Christine Etter, Executive Director, Friends of the Colonial Theatre.