• 1915: Leger's Theatre opened for business (silent movies)

  • 1918: Bijou Theatre opened (formerly Leger's Theatre)

  • 1929: Sound was installed (talking movies)

  • 1956: J.R. Cianchette purchased theatre and closed it for remodeling; spending between $80-100,000 on such luxurious items as the State's first cushioned swing back seats and carbon-rod projectors

  • 1957: April - The completely renovated and modernized Bijou Theatre was reopened! It was one of the most modern and beautiful small town theatres in New England

  • 1962: Glen Wheaton bought the Bijou Theatre

  • 1971: Mr. Wheaton was opposed to running X-rated movies and chose to shut the Theatre down (March 31, 1975) before he would run them

  • 1975: Maine National Bank & Cianbro Corporation purchased the Theatre for $6,000 each and absorbed the Theatre debt. The Theatre was donated (April 19) to the Pittsfield Community Theatre Association, a non-profit group. Ticket prices were $1.75. The theater lost 50 seats when a wide stage was installed to accommodate live productions. Hardwood flooring from the old Union Hall, now the Town's fire station, was used to complete the expansion

  • Mr. Wheaton continued to work first as the projectionist for the Association and then Operations Manager for the Town until December 28, 1978

  • 1977: Town of Pittsfield bought the Theatre for $24,000

  • 1978: By April, the Theatre was hopping every day with movies, concerts, matinees for children and assorted artistic delights. A series of films by Maine film makers such as "Dead River Rough-cut" were shown and audiences also enjoyed the Ralph P. Robinson Ballet. There was also a blood pressure screening day

  • Mid 1980s: The Pittsfield Players, spearheaded by Alma Dow, was a group of local talent that performed plays such as Blythe Spirit and Visit to a Small Planet. They also performed revues with themes such as places (New York, New York) or seasons such as Christmas

  • 1982-1994: The Popular Opera of Pittsfield came together 1 week every August to put on Gilbert & Sullivan plays such as Ruddigore, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury. When asked why he did it, Steve M. Quint stated, "For fun!"

  • 2020: Pittsfield community Theatre doors were closed by the town after the pandemic hit and have not reopened. 

  • October 2020: building was listed for sale by the town and stayed on the market for 25 months before expiring without a sale. 

  • May 2023: BTEC presented a proposal to purchase the Theatre from the town at the town council meeting but no action was taken. 

  • May 2025: BTEC submitted a new offer to the town council to purchase the building

  • August 2025: Town of Pittsfield accepted BTEC's revised offer to purchase

  • November 7, 2025: BTEC Purchased the Building at 137 Main Street

  • Fundraising is underway and will continue until the theatre is thriving

TIMELINE

A large crowd gathered in front of a building decorated with patriotic bunting, with two men standing on a balcony, one speaking into a microphone. The building has a sign that reads 'Bijou Theatre,' and some people are taking photographs.
Black and white photo of a vintage theater marquee reading 'Bijou Theatre' with a person standing underneath, surrounded by parked cars and storefronts.
A downtown main street scene from March 1972 with brick buildings, a theater marquee, parked cars, and a person walking.
A black-and-white photo of the Bijou Theatre with a marquee sign advertising the play 'Where Angels Go Trouble Follows' starring Stella Stevens, showing showtime at 7:30.
A vintage movie theater poster for Bijou Theater in Pittsfield, Maine, advertising films during the week of April 17. Shows include 'White Christmas' with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and Danny Kaye; 'Smoke Signal' on wide screen; and 'Bamboo Priso
A vintage movie theatre schedule poster for Bijou Theatre in Pittsfield, Maine, advertising films for the week of December 26, including '3 Coins in the Fountain', 'On Wide Screen', and 'The Rocket Man'.
A vintage theater schedule listing upcoming movies and showtimes at Bijou Theater in Pittsfield, Maine, during the week of December 5th to December 11th.
A vintage poster advertising psychic demonstrations and a performance by Fay Del Rio, including humorous illustrations and descriptions of her act.
An old newspaper advertisement for a psychic show featuring Fay Del Rio at the Bijou Theater in Pittsfield on April 14 and 15. The ad highlights her as "The Girl of the Hour" and claims she performs "The Most Amazing Demonstrations of Psychic Power."
Vintage program for Community Theatres, Inc. in Pittsfield, Maine, for the week of April 14, 1930, featuring a show at Bijou Theatre with information about showtimes, prices, and a drawing of the theatre building.