Historic movie palaces / Joseph Campau Avenue, Hamtramck
Martha Washington Theatre
Closed – archive entry · 1924–1972
A 1,000-seat movie house on Joseph Campau, Hamtramck's main street, open from 1924 to 1972, one of the cinemas that served the city's Polish community along with the Farnum, Lasky and Star.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1924
- Closed
- 1972
- Architect
- Rogvoy & Wright (1938 facade)
- Seats
- 1000
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The 1,000-seat Martha Washington opened in 1924 on Joseph Campau, Hamtramck's main street. Along with the Farnum, Lasky and Star, it was one of several cinemas serving the city's large Polish community. Detroit architects Rogvoy & Wright gave it a new facade in 1938. It was renamed the Campau Theatre in 1970 and closed on January 22, 1972, with a double bill of Man in the Wilderness and Sudden Terror. The building has since been demolished.
- 1,000 seats on Hamtramck's main street
- A new 1938 facade by Rogvoy & Wright
- Renamed the Campau Theatre in 1970
Plan your visit
The Martha Washington has been demolished and no longer stands on Joseph Campau. For a movie night, see the working cinemas in our guide.
Cinemas nearby
Back to cinemas ↗
Multiplexes / Detroit
Bel Air Luxury Cinema
The only first-run multiplex inside Detroit's city limits: ten screens on East Eight Mile with luxury rockers, recliners and a giant custom chandelier. No need to drive out to the suburbs for the new releases.
IMAX & giant screens / Detroit
Michigan Science Center – Immersive Dome Theater
Midtown's science museum runs three screens: the giant Immersive Dome Theater, the Penske Planetarium and the 3D Toyota Engineering Theater. The museum calls the dome the largest theatre in Michigan.
Film festivals / Detroit
Detroit Black Film Festival
Independent films directed, written or produced by Black filmmakers, at a Detroit festival Lazar and Marshalle Favors started in 2020. The 7th edition in September 2026 screens 89 films from 30 countries, with the Charles H. Wright Museum as its hub.
Save the plan. Share the moment.
