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Originally published in the Historic Nantucket Vol. 45, No. 2, Fall 1996, p. 153

Dreamland Theatre: Moving Picture House
by Patty Jo Rice

In the buildings original location (as seen from the clock tower c. 1870 in the inset opposite on bottom right), it was set back from Main Street. Built in 1829, it was used as a Hicksite Meeting House until 1851. It later became a "straw works" and, ultimately, Atlantic Hall. When it was moved, 76 Main Street was built in its place. Reassembled on Brant Point, the building gained dormers and wings and became part of the old Nantucket Hotel (above). Backing up on what is now Hulbert Avenue, the hotel was open for business for twenty-two years starting in 1884. In the winter of 1906, the building was taken apart, the wings and outbuildings were used for other structures on the island, and the main section was floated across the harbor (see large photo opposite). In its present location (inset bottom left), the building was first used as the Redmen's Hall in 1907. It became a movie theatre in 1922. The present lobby area was added after World War II.

THE DREAMLAND THEATRE'S CENTRAL STRUCture has been relocated several times during its life and has served a multitude of uses. The present building encapsulates the Hicksite Friends Meeting House, a significant part of the early history of Nantucket. The repeated moving of the building makes the Dreamland significant as a prime example of this broad pattern of the island's history. Dreamland is one of the island's original moving-picture houses. In the small, tight-knit community of Nantucket the theater has always served as a place of assembly.

The central portion of the structure under the gable roof with its side dormers is probably the most distinguishing feature of the building. This part of the building was originally the Hicksite Meeting House. An addition to the east facade, redone in the early 1900s, a later addition to the west facade of the building was done to make the building suitable as a movie theater.

In a time when the reuse of historic structures is gaining recognition, this building stands as a fascinating example for emulation. Through the building's multiple moves and uses it has always served as a place of public assembly on the island of Nantucket.