There’s an old war veteran that has entertained generations in Wisconsin's Northwoods. A World War II quonset hut has called Three Lakes home since the 1940s, and it’s one of the few remaining quonset hut theaters around. It’s now a place where you can see a popular movie or the work of a local artist. I recently got to take a look around, and here’s what you need to know about Three Lakes Center For The Arts, a wonderful theater in small-town Wisconsin.

Three Lakes is a community in Oneida County that’s a popular tourist destination.

It’s surrounded by lakes and forests, and it has drawn generations of people who enjoy the outdoors.

Three Lakes is surrounded by forest, but has a pleasant little downtown that’s home to a small mix of shops and restaurants.

In the heart of downtown, you’ll find one of the town’s attractions: Three Lakes Center For The Arts. I explored the area, then headed downtown for a visit.

The center was built for the military during World War II, but like many things built for the war effort, it was repurposed for civilian use.

In 1948, the hut arrived in Three Lakes to become a theater.

There was a big community effort to bring the building to town. The original theater in the building was designed and built by Cy Williams, a former baseball great.

There were a lot of quonset huts converted into movie theaters – 93 across the country.

But only six are still showing movies, and one is in Three Lakes.

When I arrived, it was not a show time, so I didn’t see a movie.

But I did browse some local art - the front of the center is a gallery that showcases beautiful paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and more. I’ll be back to see a show!

The center has much more than movies – it frequently brings in some great live entertainment. Learn more about Three Lakes Center for the Arts on the center’s website. Have you visited this small town theater in Wisconsin? Let us know in the comments. And if you're planning a trip north, here are some must-haves for nature lovers.