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By 1988, the theatre faced increased competition due to VCR sales and shifts in entertainment consumption.[1][2] These setbacks forced owner Justin Freed to sell the theatre to Newton real estate developer, Jonathan Davis.[2] When Davis expressed interest in demolishing the theatre and repurposing the property as commercial space, a group from the Brookline community started a grassroots campaign to save the theatre.[3]
David Kleiler, a film professor at Babson College, led the movement, called "Friends of the Coolidge," which later transformed into the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the theatre's preservation.[4] This foundation played a role in securing the theater's recognition as a historic site, temporarily preventing potential redevelopment.[4]
In 1989, the foundation attempted to raise the necessary $2.6 million to purchase the theatre, but faced fundraising shortfalls.[4] In response, four hundred local residents gathered in a peaceful demonstration, locking arms and forming a human chain around the theatre.[4] Harold Brown, a realtor and Brookline resident who had loved the Coolidge in his youth, and his Hamilton Charitable Foundation emerged, proposed the purchase of the theatre and a 99-year lease to the Coolidge Foundation.[4] On November 8, 1989, Kleiler cut a celluloid ribbon and the theatre reopened its doors with the marquee reading, "WE DID IT - ON WITH THE SHOW."[4] Kleiler remained the theatre's programming director until 1993.[4]
In November 2021, the Coolidge Foundation broke ground on an expansion of the theatre, which planned to add 14,000 square feet to its existing structure.[5] The $12.5 million expansion, "The Campaign for the Coolidge," designed by Höweler + Yoon, will feature two state-of-the-art theaters, a Community Education and Engagement Center, a media library, and enhanced accessibility features.[5] As of October 2023, the Coolidge secured 85% of the funding, including a $1 million donation from The Trust Family Foundation.[6] The addition of the two new theatres, seating 149 and 57 respectively, will cater to varied events, from larger screenings to intimate gatherings.[5] The third-floor Community Education and Engagement Center, seating 60, will broaden educational and community program capacities, while an adjoining media library will house films and Coolidge merchandise.[5] The expansion's opening is scheduled for late 2023.[7]
- ^ "THE COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- ^ a b 3RKhubAdmin (2016-02-17). "Revisiting The History of Coolidge Corner Theater". BrooklineHub.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Rothchild, Sylvia (1989-10-05). "Many Jews In Struggle To Preserve Coolidge Theatre". Jewish Advocate. p. 4. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f g "History & Mission". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- ^ a b c d "A vision for our future". Campaign for the Coolidge. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ "The Coolidge Announces Expansion Project". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ "Project Updates". Campaign for the Coolidge. Retrieved 2023-10-06.