The Sheldon Theatre is a historic performance venue in Red Wing, Minnesota, United States, built in 1904.

[2] It was nominated for being the first municipally owned theatre in the United States and a long-standing cultural venue in Red Wing.

[4] In 1856, Massachusetts businessman Theodore B. Sheldon moved to Red Wing with his first wife, Mary.

Sheldon was involved with numerous other industries in Red Wing, including grain, banks, railroads, stoneware, and gas and power.

[5] When Sheldon died in 1900, his will required that half of his estate be used for a public, nonsectarian purpose in the town of Red Wing.

[5] The theater opened on October 10, 1904, with a performance of the light comic opera The Royal Chef.

A nationwide slump in moviegoing slowed its profits, and unwise investments in improvements sunk its funds.

Wright, the owner of a competing theater, alleged that the city had an unfair advantage over private entrepreneurs.

He also filed suit to argue that a movie theater was not "public" and the auditorium was therefore in violation of Sheldon's trust.