THE YAM THEATRE

The historic Yam Theatre in downtown Portales. Surprisingly many are unaware of this jewel in downtown Portales located at 219 S. Main Ave. In its hay day, this theatre was one of the most popular theaters in Portales. Starting in the 1920’s America experienced a building boom of “movie palaces.” The “Portola Theater” opened in August 1926 and was billed as one of the most up-to-date motion picture theaters in the State of New Mexico, offering comfortable seating and modern organ music with a large stage.
In 1929, the “Portola Theater” became the “Palace Theater.” With the on-set of the Great Depression in 1929, there was a severe decline in theater attendance across the nation and unfortunately the “Palace Theater” became a statistic and closed its doors.
In 1932, the “Palace Theater” was purchased, reopened and renamed “The Portola.” Later that year the theater was renovated and given a new name “The Yam,” taking its name from the major agricultural crop produced in Roosevelt County at the time, sweet potatoes. It remained a working theater and retained the name “The Yam” until circa 1963-1965 when it once again closed its doors.

Portales MainStreet recognized the significance of preserving the heritage and culture of our downtown district. Portales is a community filled with many life-time residents, including a number of individuals who fondly recall those precious moments shared with family and friends at the original YAM Movie Palace.
In 2002, through a private donation from Addie Peed Swearingen, the theater was purchased by the Portales MainStreet Program. Thanks to additional donations, fundraising and many state and federal grants, the City of Portales and the Portales MainStreet Program have been able to completely renovate the theatre.

Six years after opening our doors, the Yam Theatre includes the main theatre room which has the capability to show movies, host concerts, conference and receptions; the smaller conference room for a more intimate space; concession area; and beautiful fenced in patio. Our facility is one of few venues in Portales that allows private parties to have alcoholic beverages on the premises.