The Lincoln Theater Story

Present Day

 

Film, Musicals, drama, live music, community talent, and more! The sky is the limit for The Lincoln!

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The Lincoln Theater is now a member of the League of Historic American Theatres. As a member, The Lincoln has access to forums and guidance which help when restoring an historic theater. If you go to their website, you can see the "Historic Theatre Rescue, Restoration, Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse Manual". 

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The plan is to bring the old building back to life and guide The Lincoln as it begins its new journey, to move with the times, and make the transition into a versatile, intimate venue for film, live music, theatrical performances and inspiring programs which will entertain, inspire, enrich and educate the local and extended community, while preserving The Lincoln as a key historic landmark for generations to come.

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The theater is a raw canvas, ready for the next stage. More funding is needed to upgrade and remodel the interior. 

 

2019

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Ghostlight Productions joined the restoration effort and dream of making The Lincoln their future home! They are The Lincoln's principal resident theater company.

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"The Lincoln is a place of wonder, magic and escape", and "its demise leaves a hole in the community and in everyone's hearts" The Peninsula Daily News c.2014

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2018

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The theater temporarily re-opened as "Lincoln in the Rough" and hosted its first theatrical performance, "Snow White and the Five Housemates" 

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This was a collaborative effort put forth by many folks in the Port Angeles community. It was a sell-out! This gave a glimpse of the future possibilities...

 

Restaurants were hopping and Port Angeles was buzzing!

2016 

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The process of renovations began. Over the course of two years, the roof was repaired, the old three screen interior was removed, the original seating was taken out and stored.

 

Engineering was completed for electrical and HVAC, interior structural drawings produced, and renderings completed for the facade and the interior.

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The goal is to save, and preserve history. There is original lathe and plaster, original stenciling, and original fabric. These will be seen in The Lincoln for future generations to marvel at and enjoy.

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2014

 

The Lincoln Theater has generated many fond memories for Port Angeles and Olympic Peninsula residents alike. Originally built as a single screen playhouse, The Lincoln has seen much change during its lifetime. Its most recent use was as a three-screen movie theater.

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The old building sells to a local family who dream of restoring the theater to its former glory. 

 

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1916

 

On its opening night, the theater looked beautiful, and was filled with flowers. According to newspapers at the time, “over the pretty bay window is placed a life-size bust of Lincoln in bronze, which for the evening, was draped in flags”. The pipe organ was played, “Somewhere a Voice is Calling”, and "To a Wild Rose" .

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"America's sweetheart Mary Pickford graced the screen for The Lincoln Theater's opening in The Foundling. Spell of the Yukon was on the next bill. The newspaper article concluded, “Port Angeles will look forward to much enjoyment out of the new playhouse”.

1916

 

G.M. Lauridsen built The Lincoln Theater for Ed Halberg in 1916. The building was then under a long lease to the Halberg brothers by the G.M. Lauridsen Foundation.

 

"Edwin and Evan Halberg, company managers of Port Angeles Theaters, Inc. opened The Lincoln Theater for its first night's performance on September 4, 1916. The Lincoln was said to be the finest and most artistic small town theater on the Pacific Coast complete with its five-thousand-dollar Kimball Symphony Orchestra Pipe Organ. They had costumes for the attendants of the theater. An excerpt from a 1916 newspaper review follows: "Everything about The Lincoln tends to make one sit back in his seat in a contented mood..." 

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Built in 1916, The Lincoln Theater has already celebrated its 100th year anniversary!