A new educational center run by the Maine 4-H Foundation at an iconic movie theater in Bridgton is getting a boost from federal money that will allow the foundation to pay for the theater’s purchase.

“The new Magic Lantern Innovation Center is off to a great start with amazing educational programs for our local youth and schools,” said Susan Jennings, executive director of the Maine 4-H Foundation and a professor at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. “We owe a great deal of thanks to Congresswoman Pingree and to Senator King.” 

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) announced the $450,000 in funding on Monday.

In November 2021, 4-H announced it would be purchasing the theater and using it to create the learning center at the iconic location, which has served the public as a movie theater since the 1920s. 

Susan Jennings, executive director of the Maine 4-H Foundation and a professor at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, said this week that 4-H anticipated the funding announced on Monday and will be using it to pay for the purchase of the theater.

Part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4-H is an educational program that has been active in Maine for more than 110 years, according to Jennings. Today, she said, 6 million kids participate in 4-H programs nationwide, with about 30,000 in Maine. The program, she said, offers educational experiences for students as young as three or old enough to be in college, who might not otherwise be able to afford them.

Jennings said in November 2021 that the foundation would still operate Magic Lantern’s movie theater and pub kitchen, but is adding educational programs centering on visual and performing arts, digital media and arts, possibly local farming, and also culinary instruction. Monday’s announcement indicated the center would serve up to 4,000 students every year.

“This community hub will create new enrichment opportunities for local youth, catalyze economic development in the region by providing workforce development opportunities, and provide resources to parents and teachers,” King and Pingree said in a joint statement announcing the funding.

The money comes from a return of congressionally-directed spending back in 2021. Both Pingree and King said in the statement that the center will serve as an example of how Maine can directly benefit from such spending.