A guided history and art tour of the historic Mission Theater, exploring its origins as a Swedish Mission Covenant congregation and its evolution into a theatre pub.
The Mission Theater is opening its doors for a history and art tour on Sunday, October 18, at 1 PM. It runs about 60 to 75 minutes and takes you through the life of what started as Oregon's original theater pub, known simply as 'the Mission.'
The building has a long, shifting history that goes way beyond its current role. It opened in the 1890s as a Swedish Mission Covenant congregation, then later housed Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country. From there it became a playhouse, though its residency there was short-lived—and the tour hints that it may or may not have had something to do with 'the Scottish Play.' These days it's a neighborhood theater pub that hosts live music, video dance nights and special events on select nights each month.
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The walk is open to all ages, and tickets are required for children aged 3 and over. It may involve stairs and standing for extended periods, so keep that in mind if you're planning to bring the kids or have mobility concerns. Tickets are $20, and the tour starts at the Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St, in the West End Entertainment District.
