Park Theatre

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Park Theatre existed from 1856 to 1930. It was known as Smyth’s Hall before the change of name in 1899. The theater cycled through the names Gorman’s Theatre, the Music Hall, and New Elm Street Theatre before settling on Park Theatre. In 1930, the theatre closed and in 1970 it was demolished in order to build the Hampshire Plaza. It was part of a vibrant set of movie theatres in the city now known only in memories.

Images

Park Theatre Photograph

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

From 1856 to 1899, the Park Theatre was known as Smyth’s Hall, named after the owner, Frederick Smith. Smith was governor of New Hampshire and four-time mayor of Manchester. Before becoming Park Theatre in 1899, the theater cycled through the names Gorman’s Theatre, the Music Hall, and New Elm Street Theatre before settling on Park Theatre. Managers of park theatre elected to bring in a projectionist booth, changing the theatre from a performance hall to a motion picture showing. Additionally, Smyth introduced Abraham Lincoln as “the next president of the United States,” which gave the theatre a lot of fame. In 1930, the theatre closed and in 1970 it was demolished in order to build the Hampshire Plaza.

Sources

Accessed April 28th 2021. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=ff6646933877433080e6850e0eecdc23.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/62611