The Strand Theatre in Rockland

Around the corner from Rockland’s busy harborfront, the Strand Theatre has stood for more than 100 years as a cultural mainstay for the Midcoast community. Originally built by the Dondis family, the single-screen cinema has weathered a century of cultural shifts—from the golden age of film to streaming-era reinvention—while continuing to serve as a gathering place for the Midcoast.

The Strand’s story nearly ended in the early 2000s, when it was purchased by a national multiplex with the intent to shutter it. A successful antitrust case stopped the closure, and local philanthropist Matt Simmons stepped in soon after to restore the building. That restoration, completed in 2005, brought the Strand back to its 1920s elegance while laying the groundwork for its transformation into a thriving nonprofit.

Today, under Executive Director Anne Rogers-Popejoy, the Strand is known for its dynamic programming that spans award-nominated films, live concerts, and community conversations. Recent screenings have tackled timely topics like homelessness in Maine, drawing hundreds of locals not just to watch, but to engage. “When you come here,” Anne says, “you know it’s a curated experience. From the movie selection to the popcorn we serve, everything is chosen with care.”

With 350 seats, the space can feel intimate or electric depending on the night. It’s large enough to host major events—like Camden International Film Festival screenings—and small enough to feel personal. "It’s not about nostalgia,” Anne adds. “It’s about relevance. Every film, every act on that stage, we put there because we believe in it.”

Now entering its second century, the Strand continues to be sustained by community support—through memberships, donations, and loyal patrons who treat the theater like an extension of home. “People come up to us and say, ‘I had my first date here,’” Anne says. “The Strand is part of the background of people’s lives.”

FAMOUS FOR:
Being a 100-year-old single-screen theater that curates award-winning films, concerts, and community events with intention. Known for its iconic marquee, legacy of local stewardship, and role as a cultural anchor on Rockland’s Main Street.

ADDRESS:
345 Main St in Rockland, ME

WEBSITE:
rocklandstrand.com

photos by Peter Logue