Rowland Theater

The Rowland Theater is a movie house in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania featuring classical architectural elements including a symmetrical brick facade, decorative patterns, and a vaulted ceiling with original murals. The building accommodates about 400 seats and has been equipped with modern projection technology while preserving the historical details from its founding period.

The theater was built in 1917 by Charles Hedding Rowland on the former site of the Pierce Opera House and earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Its construction marked a significant shift in the town's entertainment landscape as it replaced the opera house with a modern movie cinema.

The theater maintains its single-screen format while showing mainstream films and hosting community events in a space that preserves early 20th-century cinema architecture. The interior design reflects the period when it was built, and locals use it as an important gathering place for shared experiences.

The theater is located on North Front Street and offers accessible seating areas for visitors with different needs. The building is easy to find and modern amenities blend well with the historic character of the venue.

The interior features polished marble walls, historical murals, and eleven backstage dressing rooms from the original construction period. A distinctive feature is also the stained glass skylight that brings natural daylight into the theater and illuminates the hall during daytime hours.

Location: Philipsburg, Centre County

Address: 127 North Front Street, Philipsburg, PA 16866

Website: http://rowlandtheatre.com

GPS coordinates: 40.89639,-78.22361

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01