Windsor Theatre

The Windsor Theatre is a historic, nonprofit movie theatre in Hampton, Iowa, United States. According to the theatre's own history, the building was constructed in 1913 as an opera house for vaudeville acts and road shows, and also served as a lodge for Windsor Lodge No. 71 of the Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias, known as "The Windsor Company." The building cost $37,000 to construct on a site previously occupied by the Phoenix Hotel. It has been a landmark of the Hampton community for more than a century. The Peterson family owned and operated the Windsor Theatre for 57 years, from 1917 to 1974. Charles Peterson came to Hampton in 1917 and began operating the theatre; his son Walt joined him in 1930 and became a full partner in 1945. The Petersons sold the theatre business in 1974 to Hampton Amusement Corporation. In 1977, Bob and Shirley Erickson purchased the theatre's equipment and facilities from Iowa United Theatres, and that same year Dick, Verla and Mark Waugh purchased the theatre building and, in 1985, took over its operation. The theatre ceased operations in May 1996, a closure attributed to declining attendance, outdated movie selections, inadequate heating and cooling, and a perceived lack of community support. The last movie shown before the closure was "Up Close and Personal." The decline of Main Street theatres nationwide was driven by factors including the rise of television, shopping malls with multiple-screen cinemas, cable television, satellite dishes, and home video. Today the Windsor Theatre operates as a nonprofit organization and presents itself as "A Historic Landmark Reborn." It sells tickets online, offers movie pricing and gift certificates, accepts donations, and posts schedules and announcements. Recent announcements include a temporary closure for ceiling repairs and a ceiling repair fundraising effort, reflecting its ongoing role as a community-supported venue.

The Windsor Theatre was constructed in 1913 as an opera house for vaudeville acts and road shows, as well as a lodge for Windsor Lodge No. 71 of the Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias, also known as "The Windsor Company." The building cost $37,000 to construct. The Phoenix Hotel previously occupied the site. It has been a landmark of the Hampton, Iowa, community for more than a century. The Peterson family owned and operated the Windsor Theatre for 57 years, from 1917 to 1974. Charles Peterson came to Hampton in 1917 and began operating the theatre. His son, Walt, joined him in 1930 and became a full partner in 1945. The Petersons sold the theatre business in 1974 to Hampton Amusement Corporation. In 1977, Bob and Shirley Erickson purchased the theatre's equipment and facilities from Iowa United Theatres. That same year, Dick, Verla and Mark Waugh purchased the theatre building and, in 1985, took over its operation. The Windsor Theatre ceased operations in May 1996. The theatre eventually closed because of declining attendance, outdated movie selections, inadequate heating and cooling, and a perceived lack of community support. "Up Close and Personal" was the last movie shown before the theatre closed. Several factors contributed to the decline of Main Street theatres nationwide, including the rise of television, shopping malls with multiple-screen cinemas, cable television, satellite dishes, and home video. The Windsor Theatre is now a nonprofit organization and describes itself as "A Historic Landmark Reborn." It offers online ticket sales, movie pricing, gift certificates, employment applications, and accepts donations. Recent announcements include a temporary closure for ceiling repairs and a ceiling repair fundraising effort.

• 1996

  The Windsor Theatre ceases operations in May; "Up Close and Personal" is the last movie shown.

• 1985

  The Waugh family takes over operation of the theatre.

• 1977

  Bob and Shirley Erickson purchase the theatre's equipment and facilities from Iowa United Theatres; Dick, Verla and Mark Waugh purchase the theatre building.

• 1974

  The Petersons sell the theatre business to Hampton Amusement Corporation.

• 1945

  Walt Peterson becomes a full partner.

• 1930

  Walt Peterson joins his father in operating the theatre.

• 1917

  Charles Peterson comes to Hampton and begins operating the theatre; the Peterson family era begins.

• 1913

  The Windsor Theatre is constructed as an opera house and lodge for Windsor Lodge No. 71 of the Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias.

A historic, community-supported nonprofit movie theatre and landmark.

• Movie screenings

  The theatre shows movies and sells tickets online.

• Gift certificates

  Gift certificates are available for purchase.

1. 1The Windsor Theatrewindsortheatre.com
2. 2The Windsor Theatre - Historywindsortheatre.com
3. 3Windsor Theatrewikidata.org