Mount Baker Theatre facts for kids
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| Address | 104 North Commercial Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 |
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| Owner | City of Bellingham |
| Operator | Mount Baker Theatre |
| Capacity | Main Theatre: 1,517 Walton Theatre: 200 |
| Opened | April 29, 1927 |
| Years active | 1927–present |
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Mount Baker Theatre
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| Architect | Robert Reamer |
| Architectural style | Moorish–Spanish |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002786 |
| Added to NRHP | December 14, 1978 |
The Mount Baker Theatre, also known as MBT, is a special place for shows and events in Bellingham, Washington. It has 1,517 seats. This theater is also a historic landmark, meaning it's an important old building.
The theater hosts many different kinds of shows. You can see professional plays, concerts, and performances by local groups. Its main stage is the biggest theater stage in Washington state, north of Seattle's Paramount and 5th Avenue.
The Mount Baker Theatre was designed by an architect named Robert Reamer. He also designed Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. The building looks like a mix of Moorish and Spanish styles. Many people believe the theater has a friendly ghost named Judy. The city of Bellingham owns the building. A group called the Mount Baker Theatre organization manages it.
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Exploring the Theatre's Spaces
The Mount Baker Theatre takes up half a city block. It has three main areas for different events. These include concerts, live plays, movies, and parties. Most public areas are easy to access for everyone.
The Main Stage
The main theater has a large stage. There are seats on the main floor and also in a balcony above. In total, 1,517 people can watch a show here. Below the stage is an orchestra pit. It is five feet deep and can hold 25 musicians. The theater has modern lights and sound systems. It also has a big movie screen and a special room for showing films. A historic pipe organ is also part of this grand space.
The Encore Room
The Encore Room is a space for parties or meetings. It is about 1,200 square feet in size. This room can fit 120 people sitting in rows. If people are sitting at tables, it can hold 60 to 80 guests. There is a kitchen right next to this room.
The Walton Theatre
The Walton Theatre is a smaller performance area. It is named after Harold and Irene Walton. This space is located to the west of the main theater. It has its own restrooms and a kitchen.
What Happens at the Theatre
The Mount Baker Theatre is a busy place. It hosts many different events throughout the year. You can enjoy live plays, music concerts, and movies. The theater also holds arts festivals and comedy shows. There is always something exciting happening for people of all ages.
The Theatre's History
The Mount Baker Theatre was built in 1927. It was created to offer entertainment to the growing city of Bellingham. Architect Robert Reamer designed this beautiful building. When it first opened, it showed live plays and concerts. Later, a screen was added so people could watch silent movies.
The theater is in a historic part of downtown Bellingham. The city's old Carnegie library was just south of the theater. The Bellingham Tower stands tall to the west. This tower was once a fancy hotel. Today, it is an office building with a cafe. It is the tallest building in Bellingham. The original City Hall, built in 1891, is also nearby. It is now home to the Whatcom Museum.
The Theatre's Friendly Ghost
For many years, people who work at the theater have reported strange things. This has led to a popular story about a ghost. People say a ghost named Judy lives there. In August 2010, a group of people who study ghosts visited the theater. They were from a TV show called Ghost Hunters. They spent a night in the theater. They were looking for proof of paranormal activity.
Images for kids
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The beautiful exterior of the Mount Baker Theatre.
