Watch a new movie in a grand theatre

Washington's local movie theatre, the State Theatre, is the perfect combination of old and new. There are very few places where you can sit in the grandeur of a historic theatre (the State Theatre was originally built as an opera house back in 1893) and watch a newly released movie with digital projection and full surround sound.

Rest assured, locals don't take this gem of a movie theatre for granted. Located just east of the downtown square, the State Theatre could have gone down in flames when a small fire erupted in the projection booth back in November 2010. Thanks to a quick response by the local fire department, the fire was quickly extinguished, but there was smoke and water damage throughout the entire building.

Making the best of a bad situation, the theatre was cleaned and renovated, maintaining the historic details that make it so unique, while upgrading the theatre with the latest technology. When talking about how close they could have come to losing this local landmark, “I call it divine intervention,” says Dick Shepherd, manager of the theatre

You'll feel the sense of history as soon as you walk through the doors. “We've been in continuous operation basically since 1893,” Shepherd says, “making this one of the oldest movie houses in the world.” It's interesting to note that movies were shown at the State Theatre very early in the history of film, before the turn of the 19th century, just a few years after the theatre was built. “We are quite certain, because we've found ads from the paper advertising that they were showing movies here by 1897,” Shepherd says. He notes that the theatre was mixed use, used for both movies and live shows, up until 1930.

The theatre includes some artistic touches that will take you back in time including a sizable balcony and a gold waterfall curtain that rises before the start of the show. Shepherd describes the theatre's interior as “a bit eclectic,” meaning not everything is original to the theatre's earliest days. For example a set of art deco lights date back to 1938.

Don't expect to see over-the-top gilding or architectural details, but a more subdued elegance. “It's very nice,” Shepherd says. “They didn't skimp on the architectural design of the place, but they kept it more functional, which kind of fits the town.”

Today the theatre seats 309, including the balcony. As the theatre was renovated after the fire, the theatre seats had to be replaced. “When we did the remodel, we tried to give it more leg room, to go for the quality of it rather than quantity,” Shepherd says.

With a single screen, the State Theatre usually shows one new movie a week, but sometimes will show different movies at an early and a late show. This week and next “The Hunger Games” is playing, with tickets reasonably priced at $7, and $5 for a matinee.

You may notice the exterior of the State Theatre is also getting an upgrade. Shepherd notes that work is under way to remove an outer layer of brick that was added some years ago, returning the building to more of its original appearance.

Shepherd and the town of Washington are quite proud of the historic ambience of the theatre, inviting anyone to come in whenever the theatre is open to take a look around. “It doesn't matter if you come to a show or not, just come in,” he says. “That's ok with me.”

The State Theatre

123 E. Washington St., Washington, Iowa

(319) 653-4023

www.fridleytheatres.com/washington.html