Music and Memories

Once upon a time George Merritt of Swansboro, NC decided Oriental needed a movie house. He purchased  land at the corner of Broad and Church Streets from James and Ada Mason and around 1946 (near as we can figure) built the Mart Theatre. According to Billy Johnston, its original projectionist, the first film to be shown there was Blue Skies (1946).

Through the late 1950s, and since its revitalization in 1990, the Old Theater has provided a stage for movies, plays, concerts, children’s programs and workshops and a variety of civic, business, club and charity events, 70 years of service to her community. A milestone that’s definitely worth celebrating! And the Grand Lady of Oriental is doing just that on May 13 & 14, at 7:00 pm each night, when she hopes you’ll join her for Music & Memories featuring local musicians arranged by Chris Daniels of The Silos and storytelling by folks who knew her when.