Bank Street Theater

Bank Street Theater is a movie theater located at 46 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut, United States. It is one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in the region, with a history dating back to the early 20th century. The building originally housed The New England House hotel from 1902 until 1919, when it was sold to William G. Mock, owner of the silent movie house The Star Theater. Mock commissioned the design firm Buckingham & Taylor to create a state-of-the-art cinema, which opened in 1920. In 1937 the theater was remodeled, adding much of the art deco facade that remains today, and at some point during this period its name changed to The Twentieth Century New Milford Theater. In 1950 the theater was sold to A.J. Smith, owner of Newtown's Edmund Town Hall theater, who operated it until his death in the 1960s. In 1976 Steven Barry purchased the theater and reopened it as the Bank Street Theatre. Barry reconfigured the single auditorium into two in 1982 (seating 126 and 260), and in 1997 renovated again to three auditoriums seating approximately 120 each, upgrading wall surfaces, fixtures, and audio systems. The exterior was restored to show its black and white Carrara glass facade, and a pressed tin ceiling with soffit lights was revealed under the marquee, likely unseen since the 1937 renovation. The original terrazzo lobby floor featuring the 4-pointed star of The Star Theater was also uncovered. In 2005, after nearly 30 years, Barry sold the theater to Stamford-based Garden Homes Cinemas. In mid-2007 a local Sherman resident purchased the building and established a new business, The Bank Street Theater (with an "-er" at the end). The theater continues to operate, showing first-run films, with weekly showtimes, news, and specials available via its newsletter. It remains a local landmark and a gathering place for the community.

The building at 46 Bank Street in New Milford, Connecticut, originally housed The New England House hotel from 1902 until 1919. In 1919 the property was sold to William G. Mock, owner of the silent movie house The Star Theater. Mock hired the design firm Buckingham & Taylor to create a new, state-of-the-art cinema, which opened in 1920. In 1937 the theater was remodeled to add much of the art deco facade that is still seen today, and at some point during this time the theater's name changed to The Twentieth Century New Milford Theater. In 1950 the theater was sold to A.J. Smith, owner of Newtown's Edmund Town Hall theater. Smith operated the theater and kept its doors open until his death in the 1960s. The theater was purchased in 1976 by Steven Barry, who reopened the business as the Bank Street Theatre. In 1982 Barry reconfigured the single auditorium into two, one seating 126 and the other 260. In 1997, the theater was again renovated, this time to three auditoriums seating approximately 120 in each. Wall surfaces and fixtures were replaced and audio systems were upgraded. The exterior had also been restored to show off its black and white Carrara glass facade. A pressed tin ceiling with soffit lights was revealed under the marquee, most likely not seen since the 1937 renovation. Also uncovered during this round of renovations was the original terrazzo lobby floor featuring the 4-pointed star of The Star Theater. In 2005, after nearly 30 years in the business, Barry sold the Bank Street Theatre to Stamford-based Garden Homes Cinemas. In mid-2007 a local Sherman resident purchased the building and established a new business, The Bank Street Theater (with an "-er" at the end). The theater continues to operate as a movie theater in New Milford, Connecticut.

• 2007

  Local Sherman resident purchases building and establishes The Bank Street Theater.

• 2005

  Barry sells theater to Stamford-based Garden Homes Cinemas.

• 1997

  Renovated into three auditoriums; original terrazzo floor and tin ceiling uncovered.

• 1982

  Single auditorium reconfigured into two (126 and 260 seats).

• 1976

  Steven Barry purchases theater and reopens as Bank Street Theatre.

• 1960

  A.J. Smith dies; theater operations cease temporarily.

• 1950

  Theater sold to A.J. Smith, owner of Edmund Town Hall theater.

• 1937

  Theater remodeled, adding art deco facade; name changes to The Twentieth Century New Milford Theater.

• 1920

  New state-of-the-art cinema designed by Buckingham & Taylor opens.

• 1919

  Property sold to William G. Mock, owner of The Star Theater.

• 1902

  The New England House hotel occupies the building at 46 Bank Street.

A historic, community-oriented movie theater offering first-run films in a restored art deco setting.

• Movie tickets

• Concessions

• Private screenings

• Special events

1. 1Bank Street Theater - New Milford, CTbankstreettheater.com
2. 2Our History |bankstreettheater.com
3. 3Bank Street Theaterwikidata.org