Mahaiwe Block

The Mahaiwe Block is a three-story building with pale brick facades and marble trim that lines both Main Street and Castle Street in downtown Great Barrington. Inside, the theater seats roughly 650 people and hosts music performances, dance shows, and film screenings in a classically designed auditorium.

Built in 1905 as a vaudeville house, the building shifted to showing films during the 1920s. Late 1920s renovations gave it its distinctive Art Deco look, which has been maintained through the decades.

The name comes from the Mohegan language and means "great river". The venue functions today as a gathering place where locals and visitors experience live performances and films together, maintaining its role at the heart of the community.

The theater sits in Great Barrington's downtown and is easily reached on foot from the town center. Nearby parking is available, and the building is accessible to people with mobility needs.

The building features an original marquee from 1929 suspended by chains above the street and illuminated at night. This hanging sign is a rare surviving example of early electric advertising and stands out distinctly on clear evenings.

Location: Great Barrington

Address: 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

Website: http://mahaiwe.org

GPS coordinates: 42.19390,-73.36280

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:06