We are incredibly fortunate in Chatham to be home to Columbia County’s oldest and largest movie house. Opening its doors on Christmas Day in 1926, the Crandell Theatre has been the heartbeat of our village for a century. From its first silent films to the introduction of "talkies" in 1927, this Spanish Renaissance gem has been in nearly continuous operation for 100 years.
After decades of dedicated stewardship by the Quirino family, the theater faced an uncertain future in 2010. But in true Chatham fashion, the community rallied. The nonprofit Crandell Theatre (formerly the Chatham Film Club) stepped in to preserve this treasure, ensuring that independent, foreign, and first-run films remained a staple of our local culture.
It remains the home of the world-renowned FilmColumbia festival and a symbol of our community's commitment to the arts.
The Crandell is more than a theater; it’s a reason people choose to move here and a reason they never want to leave. It represents the best of Chatham—history preserved and future-proofed.
If you’re ready to make this community your own, visit our site and let us show you the way home in Columbia County.
Our thanks for input & Photo from the Chatham Historical Society. Call (518)392-9236.
