The Colonial Theatre opened its doors on January 29, 1924, under the ownership of Charles Baldwin, debuting with the silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame and quickly earning a reputation as one of New England’s most modern and elegant performing arts venues.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, The Colonial hosted a dazzling mix of vaudeville, opera, theatre, and film, welcoming celebrated artists such as Metropolitan Opera star Rosa Ponselle, author Thornton Wilder, and aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.

Its iconic neon marquee, installed in 1944, became a beacon for generations of moviegoers and a defining landmark in downtown Keene.

As the popularity of television grew, live performances gradually declined, and by the 1950s the theatre was used exclusively for film. After decades as a cinema, The Colonial was purchased in 1984 by Steve Levin and Ira Gavin, who reintroduced live entertainment and set the stage for revival. In 1993, The Colonial Theatre Group, Inc. was established as a local nonprofit and purchased the theatre, securing its place as a community performing arts center.

The Colonial was added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2004, recognizing its enduring architectural and cultural significance.

A major renovation launched in 2019 expanded the organization’s footprint with the creation of SHOWROOM - a new, flexible performance space located behind the historic theatre - and a capital campaign to transform the Colonial’s stage, backstage, and lobby areas. SHOWROOM opened in 2021, followed by the grand reopening of the beautifully restored Colonial Theatre on April 1, 2022, with a performance by The Wailin’ Jennys.

The Colonial celebrated its 100th anniversary throughout the 2024-2025 season, including a free screening of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

And on December 4, 2025, the Colonial proudly unveiled its new branding and vision for the future - one grounded in community collaboration, artistic exploration, and world-class entertainment.