Abandoned America

Now that we've discussed the history of theaters in America and why so many were lost or abandoned, let's take a closer look at a specific one: the Victory Theatre in Holyoke, MA, which has been abandoned since 1979. I'm joined by my guest Matt Lambros, one of the country's foremost experts on abandoned theaters and creator of the After the Final Curtain podcast and book series, as we ask how one of America's richest towns lost so many of its important buildings, what are the plans for the future of the Victory, and why does its revitalization matter so much to the town? 

Show Notes

Support the Abandoned America podcast on Patreon

Follow Matt Lambros' work on After the Final Curtain

View more abandoned theaters on Abandoned America

Intro/Outro music credit: Rival Consoles

How did so many grand theaters and movie palaces come to be abandoned?  In this episode we'll dive into the history of theaters in America with Matt Lambros, theater historian and creator of the After the Final Curtain book series and podcast. Together we'll chart the race to build increasingly ornate theaters across America and uncover why they eventually fell out of favor with the public, leading to hundreds closing and ultimately being abandoned or demolished. We'll also look at what the outlook for American theaters is, considering the current difficulties facing live productions during a pandemic.

Show Notes

Support the Abandoned America podcast on Patreon

Follow Matt Lambros' work on After the Final Curtain

View more abandoned theaters on Abandoned America

Intro/Outro music credit: Rival Consoles