 Outside and inside it is a veritable and architectural triumph.”

The theater was one of the highlights of nightlife in downtown Red Bank for many years.Finally, in 1970, after the Strand, Palace, Empire, and Lyric theaters had closed, the Carlton did also.In 1973, a significant anonymous donation allowed the Monmouth County Arts Council to preserve and reopen the historic theater for cultural uses, and the theater was renamed the Monmouth Arts Center.