Anacortes Senior College

The course will consist of six sessions. Each one-hour session will include 30–45 minutes of presentation, with the remaining time dedicated to discussion and Q&A. The session topics are as follows:

Session 1:  Overview of the Lincoln Theatre What the Lincoln Theatre is; the role of the Lincoln Theatre Foundation; key historical events associated with both; why the Lincoln Theatre has been important to the community, past and present; and why the Lincoln survived while other theatres in the county and greater region did not. Presented by: Ron Guttu, Duncan West, and Jessica Waggoner

Session 2: Film Industry Changes Over the Last 100 Years and Their Impact on the Lincoln The session will draw on the presenters' and student experiences attending movies - from single screen theaters to multiplexes and on to VHS, Netflix DVDs by mail, and the current release strategies of everywhere all the time. We will dwell on the value of the communal theater experience. Presented by: Ron (technology and film content) and Duncan (historical context and social movements)

Session 3: Theatre History in Skagit County (Including Anacortes) At one time Anacortes had two theaters and a drive-in, Mount Vernon had two theaters and two multiplexes, Burlington had a drive in and a Mexican cinema, Sedro Woolley and Concrete had one theater each. LaConner and Stanwood had theaters. A travelling theater based in Clear Lake travelled the San Juan Islands. What happened to them all and why? This and other sessions will include suggestions for student research of the Anacortes American, which is online, and the trove of articles and ads gathered by the instructors. Presented by: Duncan West

Session 4:  History of Niche Films and the Local Communities They Serve Regular showings of Swedish language and Mexican cinema were common in different periods. Adult films were a feature of struggling theaters with resulting city council and court activity. Saturday matinees were as common as Saturday morning cartoons today. This session will explore the differentiation of theater offerings in the county. Presented by: Duncan West

Session 5:  Forming the Foundation and Saving the Lincoln: The Early Years (1986–2004) The Lincoln closed in 1984 after 5 people attended the showing of the last movie. Downtown Mount Vernon was in decline as businesses moved to malls and multiplexes on College Way. New owners of the theater searched for uses of the space and after an epiphany decided to revive the theater as an arts venue. Much work ensued with results that helped revitalize downtown Mount Vernon Presented by: Duncan West

Session 6:  The Lincoln’s Transformation into the Venue Operating Today (2004–Present) After a community outpouring of support, ownership of the theater by the city of Mount Vernon was affirmed and the Lincoln continued to grow and evolve into the space and programming we know today, The instructor, a current Foundation Board member will discuss the future of the theater and its programming. Presented by: Ron Guttu

Instructor: Ron Guttu

Since 1993, Ron Guttu has been a volunteer, a member, a benefactor and a prior board member and board president of the Lincoln Theatre Center Foundation. Now a retired oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Ron currently serves as the Treasurer of the Lincoln Theatre Center Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Ron is especially excited to be involved in the 100-year anniversary of the Lincoln Theatre and is committed to the continued restoration of the theater as it enters its next 100 years. He is proud to be part of the Lincoln Theatre community which includes its board, staff and most importantly it’s members who are all working to assure that the Lincoln Theatre continues to be Skagit county’s premier performing and cinematic arts center.

He is excited to share his knowledge of cinema and the history of the Lincoln Theatre with the Anacortes Senior College.

Instructor: Duncan West

Duncan West is a native Washingtonian who grew up on an island. He was introduced to his people at the local movie theater at age 16 when he was old enough to drive himself to the local movie theater on Thursday foreign film night. He has worked and lived in Mount Vernon for over 15 years, serving on the Lincoln Board for 6 of those years.

A history major at the University of Washington his interest is history from below, from original sources and occasionally has trouble deciding whether he would rather spend time with people or microfilmed newspapers. He prides himself in finding the telling anecdotes that illuminates a trend. The more fun the anecdote, the better. Two years ago he began looking at reminiscences of Skagit pioneers at the Skagit County Historical Museum, researching online newspapers, and ordering up newspapers on microfilm to understand how and why the Lincoln survived.

He built, and will share, an online trove of theater movie ads, musical reviews, and business articles from 1899 to the present.