Your Stories Make Our History: 100 Stories for One Hundred Years
March 03, 2026
.png)
Bellingham, WA — As Mount Baker Theatre (MBT) approaches its 100th Season, we’re collecting 100 stories to celebrate how our historic theatre has impacted the community. We’re inviting the community to tell us their favorite MBT stories and leave a note in its 100th birthday card with MBT’s 100 Stories for One Hundred Years Survey.
On April 29, 1927 at 6:00 p.m. whistles shrieked from Bellingham Bay and fire engine sirens rang into the night: Bellingham's own luxury movie palace officially opened.
By 1978, MBT was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two years later, the theatre’s story almost came to an end. William Fox sold the theatre to a Canadian firm, which planned to divide the theatre into multiple screens. Vigorous public protest squashed that effort but the building was in need of significant repair and at one point became slated for demolition.
Through the cooperative efforts of the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, the State of Washington, the citizen-based MBT non-profit, and numerous private donations, MBT underwent extensive restoration and remodeling to assure a permanent place in the cultural life of the community.
Exactly how has MBT been able to survive and thrive over these past 99 years? The city and county, as well as, hundreds of volunteers, businesses, and other donors pitched in to save, restore, and renovate MBT along the way. Thanks to these efforts, MBT continues to be a central historic cornerstone of the Downtown Bellingham Arts District, lighting up the skyline and drawing people in from all over the state.
“We are incredibly excited to celebrate MBT’s Centennial Season by reflecting on the past 100 years and looking ahead to the next century. Thousands of people have been a part of MBT’s story and MBT continues to impact hundreds of people each year. We want to hear and share their stories.” — Lorin O’Grady, MBT’s Marketing Director
Below are the prompts we have organized to help generate a variety of stories and statements about MBT:
● What makes MBT special to you? This could be a feeling, a tradition, a person, or a moment that stands out.
● What's your favorite MBT memory? Tell us what happened and why it still stands out to you.
● Is there anything else you’d like to share about Mount Baker Theatre or anything you’d like to write in MBT’s 100th Birthday card? This could be a thank-you, a wish for the future, or a short note to MBT.
About Mount Baker Theatre
Mount Baker Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization dedicated to enriching the region’s culture through dynamic performances, arts education, inspiring engagement in the community and stewardship of a national historic treasure. Located in the heart of downtown Bellingham's Art District, MBT is the largest theatrical venue north of Seattle in Washington State. Built in 1927, MBT is the only survivor of the five original movie palaces built in Whatcom County between 1914 and 1930. The building itself is a beautifully restored architectural treasure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since opening day, MBT has been dedicated to showcasing top touring performing arts events, as well as presenting community-driven events and performances, to audiences in the North Puget Sound and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
MBT’s 100 Stories for 100 Years Survey: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019c073bd5327429b89a4c57ea62feb2
On April 29, 1927 at 6:00 p.m. whistles shrieked from Bellingham Bay and fire engine sirens rang into the night: Bellingham's own luxury movie palace officially opened.
By 1978, MBT was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two years later, the theatre’s story almost came to an end. William Fox sold the theatre to a Canadian firm, which planned to divide the theatre into multiple screens. Vigorous public protest squashed that effort but the building was in need of significant repair and at one point became slated for demolition.
Through the cooperative efforts of the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, the State of Washington, the citizen-based MBT non-profit, and numerous private donations, MBT underwent extensive restoration and remodeling to assure a permanent place in the cultural life of the community.
Exactly how has MBT been able to survive and thrive over these past 99 years? The city and county, as well as, hundreds of volunteers, businesses, and other donors pitched in to save, restore, and renovate MBT along the way. Thanks to these efforts, MBT continues to be a central historic cornerstone of the Downtown Bellingham Arts District, lighting up the skyline and drawing people in from all over the state.
“We are incredibly excited to celebrate MBT’s Centennial Season by reflecting on the past 100 years and looking ahead to the next century. Thousands of people have been a part of MBT’s story and MBT continues to impact hundreds of people each year. We want to hear and share their stories.” — Lorin O’Grady, MBT’s Marketing Director
Below are the prompts we have organized to help generate a variety of stories and statements about MBT:
● What makes MBT special to you? This could be a feeling, a tradition, a person, or a moment that stands out.
● What's your favorite MBT memory? Tell us what happened and why it still stands out to you.
● Is there anything else you’d like to share about Mount Baker Theatre or anything you’d like to write in MBT’s 100th Birthday card? This could be a thank-you, a wish for the future, or a short note to MBT.
About Mount Baker Theatre
Mount Baker Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization dedicated to enriching the region’s culture through dynamic performances, arts education, inspiring engagement in the community and stewardship of a national historic treasure. Located in the heart of downtown Bellingham's Art District, MBT is the largest theatrical venue north of Seattle in Washington State. Built in 1927, MBT is the only survivor of the five original movie palaces built in Whatcom County between 1914 and 1930. The building itself is a beautifully restored architectural treasure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since opening day, MBT has been dedicated to showcasing top touring performing arts events, as well as presenting community-driven events and performances, to audiences in the North Puget Sound and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
MBT’s 100 Stories for 100 Years Survey: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019c073bd5327429b89a4c57ea62feb2
Contact:
Lorin O'Grady, Digital Mktg Mgr
lorin.ogrady@mountbakertheatre.com, (360) 778-4005
