Worm Creek Opera House

The Worm Creek Opera House is a historic movie theater and live-performance venue in Preston, Idaho, United States. Built in 1930 and originally known as The Grand Theatre, it has served as a cultural anchor for the small community of Preston and the surrounding Franklin County area for nearly a century. The building was purchased in 1986 by a committee of citizens using private donations as part of a community development effort, and it was subsequently deeded to Franklin County. From 1986 until 1995, the theater operated under a committee appointed by the county commissioners. In 1995, that committee incorporated as a nonprofit organization called the Franklin County Theatre/Arts Council, which then leased the Worm Creek Opera House from the county at the request of the County Commissioners. The theater's dual identity—showing movies between live productions—makes it the only movie venue in Preston. Its name was chosen to honor the town's original settlement name, Worm Creek, and the early community building known as the "Opera House" where cultural activities took place. The first major renovation was completed in 1993 with private donations. Today, the Worm Creek Opera House continues to operate as a nonprofit community arts center, offering first-run movies, live theater productions, children's theater programs, and facility rentals for private events. It is governed by a volunteer committee and supported by donations, sponsorships, and advertising. The theater also offers concessions, including a popular bring-your-own-bucket popcorn discount. With its rich history and ongoing community focus, the Worm Creek Opera House remains a beloved local institution in Preston, Idaho.

The Worm Creek Opera House was built in 1930 in Preston, Idaho, and was originally known as The Grand Theatre. It served as a movie theater and community gathering place for decades. By 1986, the building had been vacant for several years. A committee of citizens, recognizing its architectural soundness and historical value, purchased the building entirely with private donations as part of a community development effort. The building was then deeded to Franklin County. From 1986 to 1995, the theater operated under a committee appointed by the county commissioners. In 1995, the committee incorporated as a Nonprofit Corporation under the name Franklin County Theatre/Arts Council. The Arts Council then leased the Worm Creek Opera House from the county at the request of the County Commissioners. The theater has been used for live theater productions and the arts from the beginning, and between live productions, it shows movies, providing the only movie venue in Preston. The name Worm Creek Opera House was chosen to reconnect with the town's roots: Preston was first settled as Worm Creek, named after a creek on the east side of town, and the early settlement had a building called the "Opera House" where cultural activities took place. The first major renovation of the theater was completed in 1993, funded by many private donations and generous contributions. The theater continues to operate as a nonprofit community arts center, governed by a volunteer committee and supported by donations, sponsorships, and advertising. It offers first-run movies, live theater, children's theater programs, and facility rentals.

• 1995

  The theater committee incorporates as the Franklin County Theatre/Arts Council, Inc., and leases the theater from the county.

• 1993

  First major renovation completed with private donations.

• 1986

  The vacant building is purchased by a committee of citizens with private donations and deeded to Franklin County.

• 1930

  The theater is built in Preston, Idaho, originally known as The Grand Theatre.

A nonprofit community arts center and the only movie theater in Preston, Idaho, offering affordable entertainment and cultural programming.

• Movie screenings

• Live theater productions

• Children's theater programs

• Theater rentals

• Concessions

1. 1wormcreek.orgwormcreek.org
2. 2History of Worm Creek Opera House – wormcreek.orgwormcreek.org
3. 3About the Theatre – wormcreek.orgwormcreek.org
4. 4Worm Creek Opera House – Wikidatawikidata.org