The Lincoln Theatre Guild was formed in 1981 with 15 members. The first guild activity was an acting workshop, which was followed by the first production, Harvey. The first guild president was Barrie Howard. A notable early production was "Prelude to Victory," a musical drama about a revolutionary war battle fought nearby. In 1983, a successful production of "Scrooge," a musical adaption of Dickens' A Christmas Carol helped give the guild a stable financial base. The group grew throughout the 1980s, performing dramas, comedies, and musicals. Some shows included Mouse Trap, Harvey, and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. In 1988, the group moved their offices and productions to the Lincoln Cultural Center, a renovated former church in Lincolnton, North Carolina. By 1990 the guild was producing a large summer musical each year at the nearby Lincoln Citizens Center and 3-4 smaller plays at the Cultural Center.

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In 2007 the guild board was restructured. A new president and several new board members were appointed. Shows performed throughout our 40-year history include Harvey, Dearly Departed, The Actor's Nightmare, Li'l Abner, And Then There Were None,  The Wizard of Oz, The Crucible, The Rocky Horror Show, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Grease, Mr. Scrooge, Cotton Patch Gospel, Seussical, Footloose, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Rock of Ages, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas & Beauty and the Beast.