About the Harbor Theater
Who we are
The Harbor Theater is a place for the community to gather together for entertainment, education, art, and whatever other purposes may be needed.
100% volunteer operated
We rely on community members stepping up to keep movies and events happening. Harbor Theater is run by a group of passionate community members who graciously volunteer their time to see this building have new life breathed into it. Various opportunities exist.
A work in progress
The theater was acquired by Matthew Unzeitig in the summer of 2024. It is a current work in progress in updating the building, but it has already received several major upgrades. As with any old building, it will take time to get the renovations done correctly.
Every Harbor Theater movie is free
Every movie is a gift to the community, and every seat is open to everyone. Not because movies are free to run, but because we believe a theater should belong to its town and its region. If you can give and you believe in what we're doing, a goodwill offering, whatever feels right, keeps the lights on and the seats open for the next person. If you come to love this place the way many of us have, there are lots of ways to be part of it: volunteer, pick a movie, or bring your own event.
Our story
More than 85 years of movies, fire, rebuilding, and second chances on 2nd Avenue.
Grand openingJune 23, 1938. 547 seats on the main floor, plus 50 more in the balcony (the smoking section).
Gutted by fireJanuary 25, 1943. With wartime rationing of supplies, it couldn't be rebuilt until after the war.
The Harbor Theater reopensSeptember 12, 1946. The first movie shown: Casablanca.
CinemaScope arrivesThe theater goes widescreen.
The lights go downThe Harbor Theater closes as a movie theater.
Other livesHome to a tile, carpet, and linoleum store, then Architectural Antiques.
A brief returnWade Kimball remodels the building and reopens it as a theater.
Empty yearsThe building sits vacant as the roof deteriorates.
A new ownerMatthew Unzeitig buys the theater, replaces the roof, and starts remodeling.
The Harbor Theater is backReopened as a movie theater and community event center, with 90 seats.
It's great to have a movie theater and community event space back in Two Harbors!