Marlboro Theater (02-04)

Historical narrative

On January 6, 1938, the Marlboro Theater opened during the Golden Age of Cinema. Opening night featured the film Navy Blue and Gold , starring Robert Young. The theater had about 500 seats, with a balcony set aside for Black moviegoers, reflecting the racial segregation of the time. Steve conducted an extensive interview with a lifelong Black resident of the town. She told him that Black patrons could buy tickets at the ticket booth but then had to climb the fire escape at the back of the building to access the balcony. The theater closed in 1952.

Watercolor

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