November 1922 witnessed the opening of the Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana. It was first utilized for vaudeville shows. The theater was also the first in town to show silent movies, which it did from 1922 until 1929. The orchestra pit was perfect for the musician(s) accompanying the silent movies.
The Artcraft Theatre exterior
Restored ticket booth and theater entrance/exit doors
The Artcraft operated as a venue for first-run movie showings for 78 continuous years before closing in 2000 after the development of multi screen theater complexes drastically reduced patron business.
Through the front doors, looking towards the lobby
Concession stand and exit aisle
Over the years the theater saw many changes and improvements including a 1929 sound system for “talkies”. Franklin’s first ever air- conditioning “swamp box system” was installed in 1935. The first marquee was erected in the 1940’s.
We want to come back when it is open to see the whole theater.
A local historic preservation group, Franklin Heritage, Inc. bought the theater in 2001. Restoration work began immediately to save the building from condemnation. Currently the theater regularly offers showings of classic movies. The Historic Artcraft Theatre website has information about events and shows. (It lists the times for senior citizen free movies!)
Roadtirement 
Beautiful!
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Thanks, Anne. It is a visual delight!
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I love this! We mentioned before American Pickers when they roll into a small town with all of its old buildings and rich history. So, multiplex theaters pretty much ended the era of these old, single-screen movie houses, but at what cost? Preserving our heritage is much more valuable than perhaps the convenience of having 20 screens in a theater with no charm or character.
Theaters like this were so very important to the generation who grew up during the Depression. It respects our past that these old buildings still have life.
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The Franklin Heritage group continues to do wonderful work in restoration of several buildings in Franklin. They are such a blessing! Thanks for your comment…
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Love the photo of you two – a couple of kids off to the cinema! 😀
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TYVM!!
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Thank you for the glimpse inside! I was fascinated with this theater when I visited Franklin but couldn’t get in that day. Would it be silly to drive 3 hrs, 23 minutes back just to see a movie there? Why yes it would but I wouldn’t put it past me!
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