Preserving Our History Investing in Our Future
The past century and generations of stewardship of the Mount Baker Theatre has revealed a simple truth: preserving a historic theatre takes a community.
Make your gift today to help preserve this historic theatre for the next century — because 100 years is just the opening act.
Seats
The Mount Baker Theatre’s current seats were installed in 1993 — these seats are now failing and replacement parts are unavailable. In the summer of 2026, MBT will install entirely new seats, improving patron comfort and increasing the amount of accessible seating options. The new seats will also be fit with cup holders for patron convenience, a long-requested upgrade.
Engraved donor plates will recognize the generosity of patrons who contribute to the Mount Baker Theatre’s Centennial Campaign.
Carpeting
Couristan, Inc. will provide MBT with 1,275 square feet of broadloom carpeting nearly identical to the theatre’s original 1927 pattern. The company, headquartered in New Jersey, is considered to be a leader of creative elegance in fine area rugs and broadloom carpeting since 1926. In 2024, MBT completed the carpeting replacement in the Encore Room and Lobby. Carpet in the Main Auditorium, including the Balcony and Mezzanine, will be installed after the updated seats have been installed.
1927 Wurlitzer Pipe Organ
The Mount Baker Theatre’s Wurlitzer Pipe Organ is a defining symbol of Whatcom County’s rich cultural heritage and enduring musical excellence. Restoring the 1927 Wurlitzer Pipe Organ preserves a piece of local history and provides a unique and powerful musical experience. Much of the organ’s structure is unseen, hidden in the resonance chambers tucked behind the ornate plaster grilles flanking the stage. Previous attempts were made to modernize the organ, and while those intentions were positive and aspirational, some of the modernization choices shortened the lifespan of the Mighty Wurlitzer.
Thanks to funding from the Centennial Campaign, MBT has now placed its trust in JL Weiler Inc., a renowned leader in the restoration of historic pipe organs. The company’s workshop in Chicago, Illinois has specialized tools to delicately disassemble and reconstruct the finer pieces within the organ’s structure. According to Weiler’s assessment, all of the original pipes and instruments are in excellent shape and will be easily restored. The Artisan Computer Control, added in 2013, has not worked reliably and malfunctions have led to several disrupted performances. It will be replaced with a professional control system, and the organ’s wiring will also receive a much-needed update.
The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ will return home in time to celebrate the Mount Baker Theatre’s 100th Birthday, taking center stage for the Centennial Season on April 29, 2027. Once restored to its full glory, the Mount Baker Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ will be reintegrated into the building structure.
Chandelier
The chandelier is the crown jewel of the Mount Baker Theatre. Nested in an 80-foot-wide plaster dome hangs a 600-pound antique bronze and glass chandelier. Vibrant lights encircle the dome and accentuate the chandelier’s stained glass mosaic plates and pendants. Its sapphire, ruby, and emerald toned glass elements sparkle and reflect a myriad of colors. Once a year, donors, staff, and community members gather around the lowered chandelier to share a moment of awe.
Continuing this tradition means continuing to invest resources into cables and winches. These cables and winches hold the chandelier and the two companion chandeliers in the Balcony, allowing them to be raised and lowered. Centennial Campaign funds will allow MBT to replace the cables after decades of wear and tear, and upgrading the century old hand-cranked winches to electric winches in order to improve worker safety and streamline cleaning.
Ticket Kiosk
With its sculpted ornate oak trim and wrap-around glass windows, the Mount Baker Theatre ticket kiosk makes a striking first impression upon approach. The dark green and white speckled marble base was provided and installed by Robinson Tile and Marble of Seattle in 1927. As time has passed, the kiosk stands strong but worn. In recent years, efforts to make the kiosk more functional have resulted in the addition of interior features — such as lighting, fans, and credit card processors — leading to an overwhelming accumulation of wiring. In order to safely restore the famous and historic kiosk, MBT will first preserve its current condition and protect it from the elements.
By properly resealing the windows, managing moisture control, and adding heating and cooling elements, MBT can extend the kiosk’s life and strengthen its role as the welcoming face for more than 100,000 guests each year. MBT is aiming to increase the kiosk’s accessibility and safety by installing sufficient lighting, security cameras, and alarms to protect the structural integrity of the kiosk as well.
The Plaster & Ornamentations
As a 1920s Spanish Moorish architectural gem, important elements of the Mount Baker Theatre’s aesthetic identity are conveyed through plaster. The concrete walls of the theatre’s Lobby and Main Auditorium are adorned with massive plaster columns and cornice ornamentation that originally shimmered with goldleaf. Previously restored in the 1990’s, the plaster has since been chipped away, and Centennial Campaign funds will be used to bring it back to life.
Preparing for the Next 100 Years
The Centennial Campaign is more than just repairs and restoration — it is an investment in the next century of art, community, culture, and connection in this historic building. By contributing to the Centennial Campaign, you are ensuring that the Mount Baker Theatre stands strong for the next 100 years of arts lovers like you.
2026-2027 Centennial Season Sponsors
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Wade Bennett King Education Series Sponsor
