This was originally a concert hall and playhouse known as the Academy of Music, which opened in September 1888. After conversion to a cinema, the name was shortened to Academy Theatre. In January 1926 it suffered damage from a fire and was closed while repaires were being carried out. At that time it was operated by Famous Players.

Situated on the opposite side of Broadway from the Ritz Theatre, Cameo Theatre, and Broadway Theatre, the Academy Theatre catered to Newburgh’s large black community and was listed in Film Daily Year Books as a “Negro Theater”. It played the same movies as the other Newburgh theatres, but considerably later. By 1950 it was operated by Liggett-Florin Booking Service.

The Academy Theatre was destroyed in a fire on February 15, 1956, and its remains were demolished.

Contributed by Warren G. Harris