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, United States. 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. Its central pediment contains an Eye of Providence.
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.
^History of the Grand 2010-08-05 at the Wayback Machine, The Grand website, accessed July 31, 2010
^Robert Dick Stoddard Jr. (July 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: The Masonic Hall and Grand Theater / The Masonic Temple and Grand Opera House". National Park Service. and Accompanying two photos, exterior and interior, from 1971
External links
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
August 21, 2023
grand, opera, house, wilmington, delaware, grand, opera, house, also, known, grand, masonic, hall, grand, theater, seat, theater, performing, arts, wilmington, delaware, united, states, four, story, building, built, 1871, delaware, grand, lodge, masons, serve,. 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 United States 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 Its central pediment contains an Eye of Providence Masonic Hall and Grand TheaterU S National Register of Historic PlacesThe Grand Opera House from the northwestShow map of DelawareShow map of the United StatesLocation818 N Market St Wilmington DelawareCoordinates39 44 38 N 75 32 55 W 39 743852 N 75 548649 W 39 743852 75 548649Built1871ArchitectThomas Dixon Charles L CarsonArchitectural styleSecond EmpireWebsitewww wbr thegrandwilmington wbr orgNRHP reference No 72000294Added to NRHPDecember 11 1972 1 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 Texas Jack Omohundro 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 Edit Delaware portal Philadelphia portal Theatre portalDelaware Children s Theatre National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilmington DelawareReferences Edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service March 13 2009 History of the Grand Archived 2010 08 05 at the Wayback Machine The Grand website accessed July 31 2010 Robert Dick Stoddard Jr July 1972 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination The Masonic Hall and Grand Theater The Masonic Temple and Grand Opera House National Park Service and Accompanying two photos exterior and interior from 1971External links Edit 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 amp 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Grand Opera House Wilmington Delaware amp oldid 1161586542, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
