Located at 1 Lincoln Street in New Haven, Connecticut—just three blocks north of the New Haven Green—the historic Lincoln Theatre offers a unique glimpse into American theatrical history. Originally built in 1924, this landmark is famous as Connecticut's only purpose-built performance space surviving from the national Little Theatre Movement of 1911–1933.
Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984, the site has worn many hats over the decades: hosting initial local movement productions under Yale professor Jack Crawford, serving the WPA’s Federal Theater Project in the late 1930s, and operating as a beloved foreign and art film cinema managed by Robert Spodick until 1982. Today, the venue is owned by the ACES Educational Center for the Arts public magnet school and is known as the ACES Little Theatre.
When you visit, you can admire its multipart architectural layout on a quiet residential street, featuring a gable-roofed entry and original auditorium paired with a modern glass-and-stone addition on its left side. Following a comprehensive 2010s rehabilitation that preserved key elements of its beautiful Art Deco interior, it stands as a revived, cherished gem of New Haven's local arts scene.
What to see at Lincoln Theatre
- Connecticut's only surviving theater from the Little Theatre Movement
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984
- Distinctive modern glass-and-stone addition paired with a gable-roofed entrance
- Preserved historic Art Deco interior elements from its major 2010s renovation
- Rich past as a WPA Federal Theater Project space and classic art-house cinema
Visiting tips
Keep in mind that the theater is owned by an arts magnet school and primarily hosts educational and private events, with occasional public programming.
How long: 1 hour · Best time: During scheduled public events
How to get there & what’s nearby
Lincoln Theatre is easy to reach on New Haven’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Yale University Art Gallery and Harkness Tower. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our New Haven travel guide.
See the full New Haven travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.