The Mounds Theater was built in 1922 towards the end of the silent picture
era. A renovation in the 1930s added many Art Deco features, while another one in 1950 “modernized” the lobby and exterior. This motion picture house operated until its closing in July 1967. After being empty for about a year, George Hardenbergh purchased the building and planned to set up various kinds of organs in the theater and use it for organ recitals.  That vision never materialized and the theater became a warehouse. 

Then early last year George was contacted by Raeann Ruth, founder and
executive director of the Portage for Youth, a non-profit organization and
after school enrichment center for girls and young women ages 8-15 located
in Dayton's Bluff. She asked if he would donate the building to the Portage.
He agreed with the condition that it would be renovated and turned into a
neighborhood arts and culture center. It was a challenge that Raeann
accepted.

Initial efforts to reclaim the theater began in the spring of 2000 when the
lobby was cleaned out and fixed up. Several fundraisers and community events were held in the theater throughout the year.  Neighbors got together and raised money to purchase one of the 101 Snoopy statues from last year's  "Peanuts on Parade" celebration. "Thespian Snoopy" is still on display in the lobby of the theater. 

Raeann has raised enough money to begin the first phase of the renovation,
which began this spring and will take about a year to complete. Once finished, the Mounds Theater will be used for theatrical presentations, educational programs for children and adults, neighborhood gatherings, weekend movie matinees, theater organ recitals (with and without silent movies) and showings of classic movies.