Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is a film museum and theater housed in the historic Edison Theater building in Fremont. The collection contains approximately 10,000 silent films along with early motion picture equipment and artifacts from the silent film era.

The museum was founded in 2004 and sits near the former Essanay Studios site where Charlie Chaplin and Broncho Billy produced films during the 1910s. This location marks a significant period in early American cinema history.

The theater within the museum regularly screens classic silent films with live musical accompaniment, letting visitors experience how audiences watched movies in that era.

The museum is open to visitors on weekends in the historic theater building, allowing time to explore both exhibits and collections. Plan to spend a few hours to fully experience the displays and film screenings offered throughout the day.

The museum operates working examples of original projection equipment that show visitors how films were technically presented in the early days of cinema. This hands-on approach helps both scholars and film enthusiasts understand the mechanical foundations of early moviemaking.

Location: Fremont

Inception: 2004

Address: 37417 Niles Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94536

Opening Hours: Saturday-Sunday 12:00-16:00

Phone: +15104941411

Email: info@nilesfilmmuseum.org

Website: http://nilesfilmmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 37.57705,-121.98011

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:07