Artcraft Theatre

It was built in 1922 on November 1, in an Art Deco style, and was used for Vaudeville and silent movies.[1] The theater was one of the first in the area to feature cool air when it installed a swamp cooler.[2] It served as a full-time movie theater until 2000.[3] The theatre operated continuously for 75 years before closing due to the popularity of multiplex theaters.[1]

The building includes a full stage and orchestra pit originally intended for Vaudeville performances. The theater was purchased by Trueman Rembusch, who facilitated the theaters first renovation in 1936. In 1948, it underwent a second renovation in the Art Deco style.[4]

Today, the theater is owned and operated by the non-profit, Franklin Heritage, Inc. (FHI). FHI purchased the building in 2004 and launched a $500,000 campaign to renovate the building.[5] In 2006, FHI received a state historic preservation grant towards the restoration of the theater.[3] The theater hosts bi-weekly movie showings of classic films. Films shown at the theater include The African Queen, Father of the Bride, Ben-Hur, and American Graffiti.[1][6] In 2015, the theater was chosen as one of the "4 Favorite Restored Small-Town Cinemas" by Midwest Living.[5]