Moscow’s Nu Art Theater Opened this day in 1935

Moscow. Idaho. Jeremiah Leidenfrost, a local contractor, was renovating a home in Moscow, Idaho and found newspapers from The Daily Star-Mirror newspaper dating from 1935.

The paper he pulled from inside the wall he was demolishing featured the grand opening of the Nu Art Theatre in downtown Moscow, on this day in 1935.

The paper featured the local businesses that contributed to the building of this “Modernistic Picture House” which “Combines Latest Trends.”

“We compliment you, Mr. Kenworthy, for the splendid building you have built,” writes H.D. Powell Plumbing and Heating in one company highlight from the newspaper. “It was a pleasure to supply the plumbing, heating, and ventilation equipment.”

The Nu Art was also the new location of the Hunter Establishment, a candy and ice-cream shop.

“Also being featured as new to Moscow will be soft ice cream. This will be ice cream sold directly from the mixer without being packed and stored until hard.” The article continues, “The salesperson of the store will be decorated in ivory to harmonize with the new freezing equipment. The store will make its own candy, salt and roast nut meats, and carry on the catering business that it has practiced in the past.”

The opening night featured the film “Hands Across the Table,” a comedy starring Carol Lombard and Fred MacMurray released in 1935.

The Nuart (as it is now referred) is currently owned by Nathan Wilson and Aaron Rench, who received the 2019 Orchard Award from the City of Moscow for their renovations to the building which preserved some of the original features.

Nathan Wilson and Aaron Rench for implementing several upgrades to the Nuart Theater building at 516 South Main Street, including replacement of the marquee and removal of some features of the building’s façade that been added since its construction in 1935.

2019 Orchard Award, City of Moscow

The Nuart is part of the National Register of Historic Places. It is currently home to the offices of Christ Church, a reformed evangelical church in Moscow. The theater part itself is regularly used for concerts of every genre and various conferences and talks.

Do you have Moscow history memorabilia you would like to share? Send it in at moscowidahonews@gmail.com!