The Garden Theatre Opened March 11, 1929 The Garden Theatre was built by brothers Samuel and Nathan Goldstein. The two were the owners of the Springfield, Mass. based Broadway Theatre Co. They owned many theatres in the Pioneer Valley: The Calvin in Northampton, The Paramount in Springfield and perhaps a dozen others. The Garden is the only one that remains as a first run motion picture house. Garden Marquee 1979
The Garden Theatre was built as a Vaudeville Theatre, there are still dressing rooms in the basement of the theatre today. With the advent of "takies" in 1929 Vaudeville shows went out in the early 1930's From the book American Picture Palaces by David Naylor "Before the golden age came to an end, a tremendous variety of atmospheric (movie theatres) sprang up, some reflecting their locales, other transporting patrons to exotic lands. A white-steepled church with lighted clock tower presides over the quiet New England town painted on the sidewalls of the Garden Theatre." And, indeed, The Garden did transport it's patrons. With stars twinking on the ceiling and clouds over head it was as if one was in a country garden. Also, there was a pipe organ that was used as recently as the 1980's. Whatever happened to the organ is not known. Vertical Marguee 1986
Theatre House 1986
In the mid 1980's the theatre was sectioned into seven cinemas, as it is today. Naturally, the changes were unpopular. Lost are the stars, the country garden, the 1887 seats~only to be replaced by 2x4 ceiling tiles and drab fabric. Upper Lobby 1986 Except for a one year period in 1999-2000 the Garden has been in continues use. For 80 years it has been doing what it was built to do~show movies. In fact in recent memory, the film Titanic played at the theatre for over a year. It would be impossible to know just how many movies have played at the Garden. Certainly, tho', given the age of the theatre, some of the greatest films of all time.
Since July of 2001, George Gohl has been the owner of the business, Greenfield Garden Cinemas. On Oct 24, 2008 he and his partner Bill Gobeille purchased the building from Ron Goldstein (son of the Samuel Goldstein). The Garden draws, conservatively, 90,000 patrons each year. The theatre is open 365 days a year.
Poster Case. Photo from 1986
THE GARDEN THEATRE TODAY Historial photos from the collection of Peter Miller, Greenfield Historian Thank you Peter~
"Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.
THIS AREA IS UNDER CONTRUCTION National Registry of Historic Places Garden Theater Block (added 1983 - Building - #83000591) |
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