Downer Theatre – Movie Theatre
Built in 1915, the building has continuously housed Downer Theatre, although its ownership changed several times. It is the oldest existing commercial building on this retail strip along Downer Avenue.
What people think of Downer Theatre
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Architectural Change – Accomodation of Modern Technology and Needs
Interior
Downer Theatre originally showed silent movies with a Weickhardt pipe organ, a Sohmer piano, or an in-house orchestra. It was acquired by Landmark Theatres in 1989 and remodeled into a two-screener with a digital sound system. Upon this remodeling, the interior decoration was restored, and an espresso bar was added. Now a two-house theatre, moviegoers can still enjoy the elegant terra cotta ornament along with the films. |
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Exterior
Apart from the Art Deco marquee and the green enameled steel panels on the front dating from the 1930s, the theatre now has new poster frames, which were installed within the last 12 years. However, as its appearance has remained quite intact for approximately 80 years, Downer Theatre provides a sense of stability to this district. It is now the oldest functioning movie theatre in Milwaukee. |
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- City of Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission, "Final Historic Designation Study Report: North Downer Avenue Commercial District" (Milwaukee: Historic Preservation Commission, 2001), 5, 10–12, 15.
- Thomas P. Donegan, "HEREAS Downer Theatre," May 8. 1990.
- Margaret Howland, interview by Daniel Cho and Yuko Nakamura, Milwaukee, June 19, 2013.
- Cynthia Sommer, "History of Downer Theatre," accessed July 3, 2013.
- Landmark Theatres, "Downer Theatre," accessed July 2, 2013.
- Susan Willets, interview by Fran Assa, Daniel Cho and Yuko Nakamura, Milwaukee, June 18, 2013.
More Place-Based Stories
Go back to the map of the places. Or choose one from the list below.
Sendik's | Downer Hardware | Mulkern's Garage | Coffee Trader | Popcorn Wagon | St. Mark's | Downer Garage
Sendik's | Downer Hardware | Mulkern's Garage | Coffee Trader | Popcorn Wagon | St. Mark's | Downer Garage