Campus Theatre Anchors Lewisburg Culture, Partnerships Drive Community Programming

The Campus Theatre, located at 413 Market Street in Lewisburg, continues to operate as a nonprofit single screen Art Deco movie palace that originally opened in 1941. Operated today by Campus Theatre, Ltd. in partnership with Bucknell University, the venue combines regular film programming with university course screenings and community events, making it a year round hub for cultural and educational activity.

Historic significance and ongoing restoration work remain central to the theatre's identity. The building's Art Deco architecture and the Stiefel family lineage of operators are highlighted in the theatre's historical materials, which document efforts to preserve original design elements while adapting the space for modern use. Those preservation efforts support the theatre's mission to offer programming that serves both Bucknell students and the wider Union County community.

Current listings show December 2025 programming that includes screenings tied to Bucknell coursework, seasonal holiday showings, and events aimed at local residents. The combination of academic screenings and community oriented events demonstrates how an institution rooted in the downtown can serve multiple civic functions. For students and faculty, the theatre provides a classroom sized to cinematic presentation. For small businesses on Market Street, the theatre's draw generates evening foot traffic that supports restaurants and shops.

The partnership model between a nonprofit operator and a regional university raises policy and institutional questions that local elected officials and funders will face when planning for long term maintenance and programming support. Sustaining a historic single screen venue requires capital for building upkeep, investments in projection and sound technology, and steady operational funding to maintain diverse programming that serves differing audiences.

As the Campus Theatre presents its December offerings, it reinforces its status as a cultural anchor for Lewisburg, blending preservation, education, and community engagement. Municipal leaders, philanthropic bodies, and residents will need to consider how to support the theatre's continuing contributions to civic life and the local economy.