Maryland Theater
37 N. Mechanic Street,
Cumberland,
MD
21502
37 N. Mechanic Street,
Cumberland,
MD
21502
1 person
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The Maryland Theater was opened on November 21, 1907, with a seating capacity for 1,800. It was renamed Burke Theatre in March 7, 1932 presenting vaudeville and movies. By 1934 it had reverted back to its Maryland Theatre name. It had closed by 1936. By 1938 it had reopened as the Maryland Theatre. It closed October 9, 1963. It was razed in December 1966.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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The Daily Bulletin of the Manufacturers Record, issue of April 23, 1907, had this item: “Cumberland, Md â€"Theater. â€"Maryland Theater Co. has awarded contract to the Brady Construction & Engineering Co., Parkersburg, W. Va., for erection of theater costing alout $70,000 after plans by John D. Allen, Philadelphia, Pa.; seating capacity 1800. (Referred to April 18.)”
Robert K. Headley’s book Maryland’s Motion Picture Theatres gives the opening date of the house as November 21, 1907.
This web page has several ads for the Maryland Theatre, including one for the 1927 release “7th Heaven.”
Throughout the 1940s, the Maryland hosted numerous nationally-known big bands. Not Miller, Goodman, Dorsey, Kyser, or Ellington, but just about everyone else. Ellington’s band appeared at the Strand in Cumberland in 1940. Goodman, Miller, Dorsey, and Kyser at the nearby Crystal Park Ballroom(La Vale) in the ‘30s.
Last show was October 9, 1963. Fire closed the theatre which became eyesore and partially demo’d October 1964 then completed after controversy in December 1966.
Interior postcard, 1939,
48 &60 photos added via Bonnie Gero Airesman.Renamed Burke on March 7th, 1932. Grand opening ad posted.