Strand Theatre
National Register of Historic Places

Strand Theatre

Rockland, Knox County, Maine
Listed
December 2, 2004
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
04001284

About this property

The Strand Theatre is a historic performing arts venue at 345 Main Street in downtown Rockland, Maine. Built in 1923 in the wake of a fire that destroyed part of the downtown, it is a rare example of Egyptian Revival architecture, and the only one of three theaters built in Rockland in that period to survive. Now owned by a non-profit, it continues to present films as well as musical and theatrical productions. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The Strand Theatre stands near the southeastern end of Rockland's downtown area, on the east side of Main Street. It is a large multisection brick building; its front section is two stories in height, and houses the main lobby and balcony. The middle section houses the main seating area, and has a roof that slopes down toward the stage. The rear section houses the stage, and is three stories in height, allowing for a large theatrical backdrop fly system. The front facade of the building is divided into three sections, articulated by brick pilasters. The outer sections, originally constructed as independent storefronts, are now part of the theater; each has a recessed entrance flanked by display windows. The theater's main entrance is at the center, consisting of recessed double doors. The wall above the outer sections has recessed panels, while that above the main entrance has a segmented-arch multi-part window, and is capped by a segmented parapet. Projecting in front of this window is the theater's marquee and sign. The theater was built in 1922-23, on the site of a building destroyed in a 1920 fire that swept through the southern part of Rockland's downtown. It was the first building to go up in the fire-devastated area, and its Egyptian-themed motifs include that of the phoenix, reborn from the ashes. The theater was run by the Dondis family for many years, successfully adapting to changing motion picture technology and tastes, and presenting musical and theatrical productions. It was sold by the Dondises in 2000, and has since undergone restoration of its interior and exterior. It is now owned by a local nonprofit, which continues to offer similar entertainment choices. National Register of Historic Places listings in Knox County, Maine

Location

345 Main St.
Rockland, Knox County, Maine
44.10296, -69.10877

Categories

ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Security Trust Building
Industrial
0.1 mi
Farnsworth Homestead
Early Republic
0.1 mi
Main Street Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Knox County Courthouse
Industrial
0.2 mi
Rockland Railroad Station
Industrial
0.2 mi

Questions about this property

When was Strand Theatre listed on the National Register?

Strand Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 2004.

What type of historic resource is Strand Theatre?

Strand Theatre is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Strand Theatre?

The period of significance for Strand Theatre is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1923.

Can I research the history near Strand Theatre?

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