The State Theatre was built in 1927 as a vaudeville house and it later became a cinema. Designed by Funk and Wilcox, it is the last “atmospheric theater” left in Massachusetts and possibly in New England. Closed since 2007, the State is
in need of complete restoration and renovation. A group of citizens formed the Friends of the State Theatre, a non-profit organization, in 2013 and retained TFO to develop a business and operating plan for the facility. TFO staff
met with stakeholders and members of the community, conducted surveys and held a community forum on the vision for the project. The finished business plan will be completed in 2014.