The Masonic Theatre first opened its doors in 1805, at which time it was the cultural center of New Bern.  It served as the town’s foremost place for dramatic entertainment, including stage plays, talent benefits, concerts and vaudeville acts.  During the Civil War, it was used as a Confederate arsenal and later as a hospital for Union soldiers.

In 1917 it was converted into a motion picture theater and remained so until 1974.  It was the nation’s oldest continually operating theatre until it closed its doors in December 1974.