After 20 years, California’s First Theatre in Monterey is a functioning venue again.

California’s First Theatre in Monterey was locked for restoration in 1999. So unless you took part in Christmas in the Adobes in 2021 or 2022, you probably haven’t seen this historic theater and saloon for a while. But that’s about to change – the theater, owned by California State Parks and restored over a five-year period (between 2018-2023) by the Monterey State Historic Park Association, will open to the community for a celebration-after-restoration evening on Thursday, Nov. 2.

“The goal of the event is to talk to the community about what we need to go forward,” says Lee Henderson, president of MSHPA.

In the immediate future, the venue will be available for rent just like other buildings on the California State Parks’ roster, says Nicollette Eason Trottier, MSHPA’s vice president. It can serve as a meeting space, a wedding venue, or a short-term home for a theater group.

The long-term plan is to find a concessionaire “in the performing arts realm,” Trottier says, “who is interested in its history, will help to preserve it and will be a part of this history.”

The restoration included added ADA accessibility (at the cost of $537,000; of that, $200,000 from the National Park Service); drainage updates (funded in part by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation); and fire suppression (thanks to the Community Foundation for Monterey County). Between grants and Monterey County Gives! fundraising efforts, the total cost of restoration was “just shy of $2 million,” Trottier says.

The original building was built between 1845 and 1847, in what was then Mexico, by Englishman Jack Swan, who opened a lodging house for sailors which was soon converted into a theater. During the American occupation, the building was taken by New York officers who were happy to use the stage to put on plays.

After the building was donated to the state of California in 1906, the theater remained inactive for 31 years. It was brought back to life by Troupers of the Gold Coast, who maintained performances from 1937 until 1999.

“Two years ago, we wouldn’t be able to even stand here,” Trottier says on a tour. “And I can’t even tell how many people love this building, not only locals. There are so many memories.”

AN EVENING AT CALIFORNIA’S FIRST THEATRE 5-7pm Thursday, Nov. 2. Pacific and Scott streets, Monterey. Sold out.

CHRISTMAS IN THE ADOBES 2023 takes place Dec. 8 and 9. More at mshpa.org.