In 2015, photographer Max Skjöldebrand had been working on a photography project documenting abandoned buildings around the Vineyard when he heard that two of those buildings were about to be refurbished: the Capawock and Strand Theatres.

He checked with Mark and Gwenn Snider who were spearheading the projects and was granted access to the buildings to photograph the entire process, from day one to completion. The result is his recently published book A Tale of Two Theaters.

Mr. Skjöldebrand will be discussing the making of his book on Friday, June 15 at 3:30 p.m. at the Oak Bluffs Library, and Tuesday, July 17 at the West Tisbury Library.

The Capawock Theatre in Vineyard Haven was built in 1913, and the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs in 1915. Both theatres enjoyed long lives, bringing movies to generations of Islanders. But over time they were abandoned, along with the Island Theater in Oak Bluffs.

The restoration moved quickly, beginning for both theatres in April of 2015. Five weeks later the Capawock opened back up for business, and eight weeks later the Strand opened. Mr. Skjöldebrand tracks both projects week by week, in words and photography, from the screens to the seats, film canisters, projectors and walls, right up to both opening nights.

As the theatres get set for another busy summer season, A Tale of Two Theatres makes a great preview of coming attractions.