Lincoln Theater

Lincoln Theater is a historic, year-round entertainment venue in Damariscotta, Maine, describing itself as the community's "living room." Its building, originally known as Lincoln Hall, was financed by local residents David Chapman, Addison Austin, Elbridge Norris and others, with construction beginning in the spring of 1875 and the roof completed by July 13, 1875. The hall was dedicated on January 26, 1876, with a gala celebration featuring the Chandler's Military Band of Portland, a grand march and a fancy-dress ball. The theater has operated in that building ever since, making it one of the oldest continuously used entertainment venues in the region. Today Lincoln Theater presents approximately 500 events each year and welcomes more than 20,000 visits annually. Its programming spans first-run films, HD opera and theater broadcasts (including The Met: Live in HD), in-house produced plays, educational discussions and live performances. The venue also hosts community events such as C.A.S.T. productions and seasonal film series. Its mission is to present diverse, high-quality programs that provide entertaining, artistic, educational and social experiences to enrich the community. The theater is supported by memberships, donations and local business sponsors, and it maintains an active membership program with benefits such as free popcorn and drinks. In 2026 it celebrated its 150th anniversary with a year of events, including a birthday celebration on February 2, 2026, the dedication of The Fenniman Lobby, a historical presentation and a screening of Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights." A 150th fundraising campaign, with donations matched up to $50,000 through October 31, 2026, supports the anniversary and ongoing operations. The theater continues to serve as a cultural anchor for Damariscotta and Lincoln County.

Lincoln Theater traces its origins to the spring of 1875, when local residents David Chapman, Addison Austin, Elbridge Norris and a few others banded together to finance the construction of a public building for Lincoln County. Excavation began on a plot of low land tangled with alder and burdock. Bricks were brought upriver by scows from the Page brickyard about a mile down in Newcastle, selling at $6 per 1,000. By July 13, 1875, the roof was on, and the building was named Lincoln Hall. The total cost was $28,500, and construction took about 10 months. The hall was dedicated on Wednesday, January 26, 1876, with a gala celebration that included a concert by the Chandler's Military Band of Portland, followed by a grand march at 9:30 PM and a fancy-dress ball. Tickets sold for $5 per couple, a hefty price at a time when a song sheet cost 30 cents and coffee went for 25 cents. This date is regarded as the theater's founding. Over the following decades Lincoln Hall served as a central venue for public functions in Lincoln County. The building has a rich and storied history that continues to the present day. It was later renamed Lincoln Theater and evolved into a year-round entertainment venue. Today it presents approximately 500 events each year, including first-run films, HD opera and theater broadcasts, in-house produced plays, educational discussions and more, exceeding 20,000 visits annually. In 2026 the theater celebrated its 150th anniversary. A birthday celebration was held on Monday, February 2, 2026, with birthday cake and bubbles, historic artifacts on stage including pieces of original chandeliers and theater seats, the dedication of The Fenniman Lobby, a presentation of 150 years of history, and a viewing of Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights." A 150th fundraising campaign offered matching donations up to $50,000 through October 31, 2026. The theater also invited community members to share their memories for possible inclusion in pre-film slide reels during the anniversary year.

• 2026

  150th anniversary celebrated on February 2 with events including The Fenniman Lobby dedication and a screening of "City Lights."

• 1876

  Lincoln Hall dedicated on January 26 with a gala celebration.

• 1875

  Excavation begins in spring; roof completed by July 13; building named Lincoln Hall.

A historic, community-focused year-round entertainment venue offering diverse, high-quality programming for Damariscotta and Lincoln County.

• First-run films

• HD opera and theater broadcasts

• In-house produced plays

• Educational discussions

• Live performances

1. 1Lincoln Theater | events happening in Damariscotta | 2 Theater Street, Damariscotta, ME, USAlincolntheater.org
2. 2ABOUT | Lincoln Theaterlincolntheater.org
3. 3Celebrating 150 years! | Lincoln Theaterlincolntheater.org
4. 4Lincoln County Community Theaterwikidata.org