Museums, Movie And Mystery Night, November 7 At The Palace Theater

DANBURY — Agatha Christie’s classic mystery-turned-feature film Murder on the Orient Express will shine again on the screen of Danbury’s Palace Theater, 165 Main Street, on Saturday, November 7, during a glamorous evening planned by the city’s leading history museums.

Hosted by Danbury Museum and Historical Society and Danbury Railway Museum, “Museums, Movie and Mystery Night” offers participants the opportunity to view and support the extensive restoration work that is bringing the theater back to its former glory.

From 4 to 5 pm, attendees will walk a red carpet into the theater, then enjoy an elegant wine and hors d’hoeuvres hour presented by Ciao! Catering and Events/Two Steps Downtown Grille and a silent auction in the lobby. At 5 pm, guests will be invited to enter the restored theater to enjoy the 1974 murder mystery classic.

Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by mail or in person at either the Danbury Museum & Historical Society at 43 Main Street (DanburyMuseum.org or 743-5200) or Danbury Railway Museum at 120 White Street (DanburyRail.org or 778-8337).

The Palace Theater was built in 1928 as a 2,000 seat vaudeville house. The theater thrived in Danbury’s bustling downtown through the 1970s when it became a tri-plex movie theater for its survival.

The Palace closed its doors in 1995 and re-opened for special events in 2008. Since then, The Palace Theater has been considered the keystone to Danbury’s burgeoning cultural scene and economic renaissance.

Danbury Museum and Historical Society, Inc. was formed in 1947 to acquire, preserve, exhibit and interpret New England’s past, focusing particularly on the heritage of Danbury. Situated in downtown Danbury, the museum preserves the John and Mary Rider House (circa 1785), Dodd Hat Shop (circa 1790), the Marian Anderson Studio, and the Charles Ives Birthplace.

Huntington Hall, a modern exhibit building, contains the museum offices and a research library.

Danbury Railway Museum is a non-profit organization staffed solely by volunteers. The museum, located in the historic station and rail yard in downtown Danbury, offers railroad history, tours, train rides, a collection of original and restored rolling stock, and opportunities for hands-on railroad work at “12 inches to the foot” scale.