The Croswell has entertained Adrian since 1866

The Croswell has been part of downtown Adrian since 1866. The theater calls itself Michigan’s oldest theater and one of the country’s oldest continuously operating theaters. Michigan’s economic development agency uses the same description. That needs one useful footnote: “continuously operating” does not mean live plays ran without a break or that the room never changed.

Early in the 1900s, the Croswell became a movie theater, a job it kept for about 50 years. By 1967, movie audiences were shrinking and the building was deteriorating. Local residents bought it and brought live theater back. The name honors Charles M. Croswell, an Adrian resident who became Michigan’s 17th governor.

That changing use is the real continuity story. A yearlong renovation finished with a May 2017 reopening, and the restored auditorium now seats about 640 people. It is still a working theater, so the best way to see the inside is to attend a current production rather than expect museum hours.

For access, wheelchair spaces are available at the front and rear of the auditorium, and a lift connects street level with the auditorium. Headsets work throughout the room, and the orchestra level has a hearing loop. The 1921 balcony has built-in steps and is not fully accessible, so call the box office before buying if you need a particular route or seat.