Grand Opera House (Wilmington, Delaware)
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Masonic Hall and Grand Theater
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Cast-iron facade of building
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| Location | 818 N Market St, Wilmington, Delaware |
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | Thomas Dixon, Charles L. Carson |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP Reference # | 72000294 |
| Added to NRHP | December 11, 1972[1] |
The Grand Opera House, also known as The Grand or Masonic Hall and Grand Theater, is a 1,208-seat theater for the performing arts in Wilmington, Delaware. The four-story building was built in 1871 by the Delaware Grand Lodge of Masons to serve as a Masonic Temple and auditorium. The construction cost was $100,000.[2] It was designed in Second Empire style by Baltimore architect Thomas Dixon and incorporates symbolism from Freemasonry into the cast-iron facade.
Historically, the Grand hosted a variety of operas, symphonies, Victorian melodramas, minstrel shows, burlesque, vaudeville, and other exhibitions, including performers such as Ethel Barrymore, "Buffalo Bill" Cody and John Philip Sousa. For most of the twentieth century the Grand was operated exclusively as a movie theater, run by Warner Brothers from 1930 and eventually closing in 1967. It was reopened four years later and returned to programming emphasizing classical music, partnering with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, OperaDelaware, and the First State Ballet Theatre.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 with assertions of both architectural and historical significance. It was argued it is "one of the finest remaining examples of 19th century cast iron architecture in America" and that it has important association with events and persons in Delaware's history.[1][3]
In 1973, management was turned over to a non-profit organization and the building underwent extensive restoration, which was completed in 1976.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ History of the Grand, The Grand website, accessed July 31, 2010
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. and Accompanying two photos, exterior and interior, from 1971
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grand Opera House (Wilmington, Delaware). |
- Grand Opera website
- First State Ballet website
- OperaDelaware website
- Delaware Symphony Orchestra website
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. DE-170, "Masonic Hall & Grand Theater, 818 North Market Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE", 6 photos, 3 data pages, 1 photo caption page
- Grand Opera House - Wilmington, Wanda Kaluza, video
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- Commons category link is defined as the pagename
- Former Masonic Buildings in Delaware
- Masonic buildings completed in 1871
- Performing arts centers in Delaware
- Opera houses in the United States
- Music venues in Delaware
- Buildings and structures in Wilmington, Delaware
- Clubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Delaware
- Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Delaware
- Ballet venues
- Thomas Dixon buildings
- Second Empire architecture in Delaware
- Dance venues in the United States
- Visitor attractions in Wilmington, Delaware
- Historic American Buildings Survey in Delaware
- Theatres completed in 1871
- Music venues completed in 1871
