The Civil War was a fresh memory when Middletown’s first stage opened in 1868.  Back then it was known as the Town Hall & Opera House and it flourished as a performing arts cultural center and community meeting place until falling in a spectacular fire in 1918.  It wasn't long however, before a structure was erected on the site.  It too was dedicated to the arts, but with a twist.... The focus would be on the recently introduced motion picture.  But as fate would have it, that structure went the way of its predecessor, burning to the ground on April 6th, 1922 .

Determined that history would not repeat itself a third time, a shining structure built mostly of concrete and plaster was rebuilt on the site where the others had fallen.  It was November 11th, 1922 when crowds were first treated to a glimpse inside the magnificent new Theatre. "Under Two Flags" was the first play performed in the new marvel. For decades, the Everett flourished.  Those who stared wide-eyed at the movie screen as children were again with children of their own.  But slowly, drive-ins, malls and television took their toll and the Everett dimmed lights and shut its doors in 1979. For the next four years, it sat silently on Middletown’s Main Street, its fine acoustics untested and its beautiful interior crumbling.  Thankfully, a group of concerned citizens formed Associated Community Talents, Inc., a non-profit corporation which purchased the Everett Theatre in 1982, determined to restore Middletown and the Everett Theatre to once again become the center for the performing arts for the community.  Renovation and fundraising began.

Today, continuing the tradition of over a century, the Everett is alive with people and productions that once again bring the world to Middletown. There is nothing more exciting than watching the lights dim and the curtain go up. The Everett hosts special art programs, concerts, recitals and Broadway productions.  It is home to the Everett Chorale, a community-wide chorus with a varied repertoire of music. Aspiring performers are introduced to the thrill of live theatre at the annual Children's Workshop.  And, movies still roll at the Everett on the same carbon arc run projectors that were originally installed in 1942, offering an assortment of family movies the first full weekend of every month.

The community is proud of the Everett Theatre’s spot on the National Register of Historic Places and cultural arts in all shapes and sizes live on within her walls.  It is now home to special arts programs for the children, the Delaware Theater Association’s annual play festival, movies, concerts, recitals and lectures.  In short, it is once again the center for cultural and artistic “happenings” in the Middletown, Odessa and Townsend area.

But where did the name "Everett" come from? After the old Middletown Opera House burned down in 1922 the  Hoffman and Henon were the architects hired to design, and Messer, J.A. & Co was hired to build the new opera house. In  1921 the architect's rendition of the " New Middletown Opera Hose" was published in the Middletown Transcript. When completed the building name was changed to " The Everett" by the original owner, Everett Lewis, mayor of Middletown. The current Everett Theatre is built on the site of the old Middletown Opera House.

ACT was formed in 1982 and purchased the Everett Theatre June 1, 1983 for $40,000.00

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The Everett Theatre abandoned.

Taken around 1980 

by American Classic Images

This page was last updated: June 27, 2011