Tucked into the heart of downtown Rushville, Indiana, the Princess Theatre stands as more than just a place to watch movies—it is a powerful symbol of community, resilience, and the cultural heartbeat of small-town Indiana.
A Stage for Over a Century
The story of the Princess Theatre dates back to the early 1900s, when it first opened its doors in 1907 as the Vaudet Theatre. Originally designed for live performances, the venue hosted plays and vaudeville acts, bringing entertainment and culture to Rush County long before modern cinemas existed.
By 1915, the theater had been renamed the Princess Theatre and became a cornerstone of the community. Like many historic theaters across the Midwest, it evolved with the times—transitioning into a movie house in 1936 as motion pictures became America’s dominant form of entertainment.
For decades, the Princess Theatre served as Rushville’s primary—and often only—movie theater, creating shared experiences for generations of families.
A Decline—and a Remarkable Revival
Like many small-town theaters, the Princess faced challenges in the late 20th century. It closed in the late 1980s and sat vacant for years, a quiet reminder of a bygone era.
But what makes the Princess Theatre truly special is what happened next.
In 2002, a group of passionate local residents formed Princess Theatre, Inc. with a vision to restore the building to its former glory. Their persistence paid off. With support from the City of Rushville and the State of Indiana’s Stellar Communities program, the theater underwent a major restoration and officially reopened in 2018 after nearly two decades of silence.
Today, the Princess Theatre once again lights up Main Street—welcoming moviegoers, hosting events, and bringing life back into downtown Rushville.
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