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When did Massachusetts see a boom in drive-in theaters?
- The state of Massachusetts was one of the earlier states to experience a boom in drive-in theaters.
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What role did Massachusetts play in the history of drive-in theaters?
- Massachusetts was home to one of the country’s first five drive-in movie theaters, as well as four of the first fifteen outdoor theaters in the United States.
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How many drive-in theaters existed in Massachusetts at its peak?
- During the height of the drive-in era, the state boasted almost ninety drive-ins.
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How has the number of drive-in theaters changed over time?
- Sadly, the number of these outdoor movie venues has steadily declined since the 1950s, and there are just a few drive-in theaters left in the whole state of Massachusetts.
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1. Mendon Twin Drive-in
The Mendon Twin Drive-in originally opened back in the year 1954 as a single screen drive-in theater. It received quite a bit of improvements in 1987, and is one of the greatest examples of enshrining the drive-in theater as a cultural icon. A second large outdoor screen was added to the drive-in in 1998, and the grounds can now accommodate a maximum of eight hundred vehicles. Open seasonally from the month of April until September, the Mendon Twin is one of only a few drive-in movie theaters that serve alcohol to its customers, as there is a beer garden on the property.
Mendon Twin Drive-in, 35 Milford St, Mendon, MA 01756, Phone: 508-473-4958
2. Northfield Drive-in
Situated technically in the town of Northfield in the state of Massachusetts, the Northfield Drive-in theater is one of only a handful of outdoor movie theater listed in two states, as its location is on the border of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The majority of the property is located within Massachusetts. The Northfield Drive-in is also one of the oldest remaining drive-in theaters along the East Coast, first opening to the public in the year 1948. The snack bar offers a variety of movie snacks, including hot dogs, nachos, burgers, onion rings, fries, soft pretzels, fresh popcorn, and much more.
Northfield Drive-in,981 Northfield Rd, Northfield, MA 03451, Phone: 603-239-4054
3. Wellfleet Drive-in
The Wellfleet Drive-in movie theater is the last remaining drive-in located on Cape Cod. The outdoor movie venue is a great drive-in for anyone who has yet to experience the drive-ins of the past. The drive-in first opened back in 1957 and its gigantic one-hundred-foot outdoor screen is still among the largest in all of New England. The grounds include a playground where children can play before the movie starts, as well as a miniature golf course from the 1960’s. The Wellfleet Drive-in is open seasonally, beginning in May and operating until September, and only accepts cash at the ticket booth.
Wellfleet Drive-in, 51 Route 6, South Wellfleet, MA 02667, Phone: 508-349-7176
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