Mahaiwe Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mahaiwe Block
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main & Castle Sts., Great Barrington, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1905 |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000898 |
| Added to NRHP | September 12, 2008 |
The Mahaiwe Block is a cool old building in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. It's right in the middle of downtown. This building has shops and offices. But its most famous part is the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. This is the main place in town for live shows and movies!
The Mahaiwe Block opened in 1905. It has been used almost non-stop ever since. You can find it on Castle Street and Main Street. This building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 1990s, people worried about the building's future. This helped the town create rules to protect old buildings. The building gets its name from an older house that used to be on the same spot. That house was called "Mahaiwe House."
History of the Mahaiwe Block
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center opened in September 1905. Back then, it was a "vaudeville house." This meant it showed many different acts. You could see singers, dancers, comedians, and more!
In the mid-1920s, it became a movie theater. It showed popular films for many years. Later, a company called Hoyts Theater owned it. They sold it to the Berkshire Opera Company. Today, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center still shows classic films. It also hosts live music, plays, and other fun events.
What the Mahaiwe Block Looks Like
The Mahaiwe Block is a large, rectangular building. It has three floors. The building faces both Main Street and Castle Street. It has long walls on both sides.
The outside of the building is made of light-colored bricks. It also has fancy white marble decorations. A special metal border called an "entablature" runs along the top. White marble strips separate each floor. These are called "belt courses."
The Main Street side has two storefronts for shops. It also has a special entrance from 1929. This entrance has an "Art Deco" style. This means it has a sleek, modern look with geometric shapes. A bank used to be here.
The Castle Street side has a row of round-arch windows. It also has three more storefronts. The main entrance to the theater is on this side. This entrance has three sets of double doors. They are under a big, two-story arch.
Above the theater entrance is a large sign called a "marquee." This marquee was added in 1930. Chains hold it up. It has a fancy, scrolled top. The front of the marquee lights up with the theater's name. The sides of the marquee show what's playing now.
See also
- Great Barrington Station
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
