Timeline
West Theater (1941-1987)
Green Bay's historic Tarlton Theatre was initially designed and constructed c. 1924-1925 as an automobile dealership. By 1941, under the ownership of the Standard Theatres Management Corporation, the building was reimagined by Perry Crosier, an architect known for the Art Deco and Art Moderne theatres he designed throughout the American Midwest. The building was converted to a Streamline Moderne-style, single-screen, first-run cinema and opened on November 14, 1941 as West Theater (pictured, c. 1941).
West Theater (Cont.)
Despite changing ownership several times throughout the years, West Theater (pictured, c. 1986) remains Green Bay's longest running cinema.
West Pitcher Show (1987-2000)
On June 12, 1987, West Theatre became the West Pitcher Show (pictured, c. 1997), a brew-and-view, second-run cinema serving beer and pizza at tables.
In 1999, Green Bay’s historic westside theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior as part of the Broadway-Walnut Historic District. Its doors closed on November 25, 2000.
Historic West Theatre (2000-2005)
Between 2000-2001, Green Bay’s westside theatre underwent significant renovations for the performing arts including a large stage and a dance floor.
On February 9, 2001, the West opened again as Historic West Theatre (pictured, c. 2002 with owner Mark Mariucci), a first-run cinema showing independent and arthouse film during the week and a dance club on weekends.
The Tarlton Theatre (2018-present)
Over a decade since a movie last played on its screen, the doors of the historic West Theater reopened on December 15, 2018 as The Tarlton Theatre. Restored by owners Tarlton Knight and Mark Mariucci (a former owner) as an Art Deco cinema and performing arts venue with bars and a restaurant, the historic Tarlton Theatre has become the home of the Green Bay Film Festival, Green Bay Jazz Orchestra, and a dozen area arts, cultural, and community organizations.
On March 11, 2022, The Tarlton Theatre became the home of The Weidner Downtown At The Tarlton, a fine arts and cultural partnership with The Weidner and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
In 2024, The Tarlton Theatre celebrated 100 years since the construction of the West Theater in 1924.
Preserving & Restoring Our Historic Theatre
In 2024, The Tarlton Theatre is celebrating 100 years since its construction in 1924-1925.
Our 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Historic West Fund is committed to preserving and restoring the historic Tarlton Theatre, known historically as the West Theater. Formed with the mission of preserving and restoring The Tarlton Theatre's historical architecture and artistic relevance, Historic West's continued mission includes funding the preservation, restoration, and renovation of our city's historic westside showplace. Click for a history of the The Tarlton Theatre and the previous lives of Green Bay's westside theatre. Please consider supporting our mission with a charitable, tax-deductible contribution by contacting our team.
Our 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Historic West Fund, recently commemorated the West’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior as part of the Broadway-Walnut Historic District, cementing its status as a historic landmark and providing additional opportunities to preserve its historical architecture, restore its artistic relevance, and continue its legacy as a cultural centerpiece in Green Bay.
As the West Theater, West Pitcher Show, Historic West Theatre, and now The Tarlton Theatre, our westside showplace has celebrated arts and culture, created lifelong memories, and been a part of Green Bay’s history for almost a century. We’ve become the centre of film, live music, live art, and theatre in our downtown and the proud home of the Green Bay Jazz Orchestra, Green Bay Film Festival, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Only a very small number of institutions in any city have the opportunity to celebrate such a significant history and connection to their community.
In celebration of the approaching centennial anniversary, we’re continuing our mission by announcing a capital campaign to raise $100,000 for 100 years. We’re asking our community to support our historic preservation and restoration mission with a charitable, tax-deductible contribution to advance the preservation and restoration of our historic theatre.
including:
• restoration of our iconic, historic façade, marquee with fully functioning chasing lights and lighted box letters
spelling “West” (as indicated by the attached 1941 rendering, courtesy of the Green Bay Press-Gazette),
• reconstruction of a rooftop tower (also indicated in the attached rendering),
• preservation of our lobby lounge with Art Deco architecture and Cream City brick construction,
• preservation of our historic movie screen, stage, and ballroom dance floor, and
• reclamation of original West artifacts such as the original marquee letterboard letters, film reels, cinema seats,
and reel-to-reel film projector.
Recently, a surviving section of the original, circa-1941 cinema seats were generously donated “back” to the theatre as a tax-deductible gift which will be rehabilitated and showcased on permanent display in our lobby lounge. In recent months, we’ve located a large number of the original marquee letterboard letters and film reels spread throughout the United States.
Attached with our letter are materials for considering and planning your contribution level, all of which include year-round benefits at the historic Tarlton Theatre and all of which will be named on our Benefactor Wall in our lobby lounge. Any amount will support our mission – $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000. Whether it’s complimentary dinners, brunches, beverages, or tickets, free rental for any occasion, or naming rights to an area of the theatre, we promise you the “red carpet” treatment.
Under our stewardship, we’ll continue to create a world-class performance venue for Green Bay while preserving and restoring 100 years of history. Thank you for supporting our dream for our historic westside theatre, and cheers to another hundred years!
Originally constructed in 1924-1925, Green Bay’s historic westside showplace has stood for almost 100 years. As the West Theater, West Pitcher Show, Historic West Theatre, and now The Tartlon Theatre, our cinema has played host to creating lifelong memories, celebrating live, original,
local arts and culture, and writing history in our community for almost a century.
Recently, through the newly formed 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Historic West Fund, The Tarlton Theatre celebrated its placement on the National Register of Historic Places, cementing its status as a historic landmark for Green Bay and the United States. With the status comes additional opportunity for our community to preserve its historical architecture, restore its artistic relevance, and continue its legacy as a cultural centerpiece.
In celebration of the approaching 100-year anniversary of our theatre’s construction, we’re appealing to our community to support our preservation and restoration mission with a charitable, tax-deductible contribution. As a Historic West Fund Benefactor, you’ll support preservation and restoration projects, including: • restoration of our iconic, historic marquee,
• preservation of our original, historic movie screen, • preservation of our lobby lounge with Art Deco architecture and Cream City brick construction,
• restoration of our historic stage, ballroom dance floor, and stage curtains, and
• renovation of our dressing room, gallery, and auditorium.
Visioning, planning, and working to protect our historic site for generations to come will not be
a small feat, but together we’ll create a lasting legacy for our last standing cinema in Green Bay. Please visit thetarlton.com for further information. Thank you for supporting our vision for our historic westside theatre!