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HALLOWELL — A committee charged with documenting and preserving those memories in Hallowell is inviting those who attended movies at the Second Street theater to share their reflections at a Remembering the Rialto Roundtable at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the Hubbard Library.
“There was a time when enjoying the film industry’s Hollywood’s finest offerings didn’t require a trip across town to a multiplex or a subscription to a high-priced cable service,” said Hallowell resident Bob McIntire. “All it took was a walk downtown and as little as 10 cents. Movie theaters could be found in even the smallest cities like Hallowell, where the Rialto was the gateway to adventure.”
The project grew from an inquiry by the current owner of the building who wondered about the theater and what it looked like. The only known photograph of the theater appeared in a Kennebec Journal article announcing the opening. The building was constructed in 1843 to be the home to the Universalist congregation worshipping in the city. It served as a church until the local congregation merged with Augusta Unitarian Church.
The building was remodeled prior to the opening, as the Kennebec Journal article described: “The interior of the auditorium is modernistically decorated with light fixtures of a modern design placed on circular plaques.”
Local artist Chris Cart will use these descriptions and those from roundtable participants to guide his creation of illustrations depicting the interior of lobby and theater itself.
This Historic Hallowell Committee was created by then-Mayor Charlotte Warren to guide the creation of policy and practices regarding the collection, preservation and display of the city’s historic artifacts and related properties; to prioritize and coordinate historical projects and to promote historic preservation efforts.
“There was concern that some of the city’s historically important items were at risk,” according to Sam Webber, city historian. “A number of paintings including some of buildings along Water Street by local artist Sylvia Hudson of buildings have come up missing. Also, signs about the Benedict Arnold Expedition that used to be at the turnout by the river were lost as well.”
The Historic Hallowell Committee hopes that someone has photographs of these items they could share. Anyone interested in Hallowell history is invited to attend. For more information about the committee can contact Gerry Mahoney.
Memories of hometown film venues are fading fast. Others are welcome to attend and listen in. The location is fitting as the Rialto was just across the street from the library.
Photo captions: The Rialto Theater opening announcement in the Kennebec Journal. The Universalist Church circa 1900 from Hubbard Library collection. The steeple being removed in 1934, before the church was remodeled as the Rialto Theater, Emma Clark Weeks.
