Boal Mansion facts for kids
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Boal Mansion
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The mansion in 2013
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. Route 322 and Pennsylvania Route 45 in Boalsburg, Harris Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 38 acres (15 ha) |
| Built | 1809-1820 |
| Built by | David Boal; Theodore Davis Boal |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts, Georgian |
| Restored | 1952 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002361 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Expanded | 1898-1905 |
| Designated NRHP | December 4, 1978 |
The Boal Mansion is a historic house located in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. It sits in Harris Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. The first part of the house was a small stone cabin built in 1809. This cabin was one-and-a-half stories tall.
Later, this cabin became the kitchen area when the house was made bigger. The main part of the house was built as a two-story stone building. It was designed in the Georgian style, which was popular for its balanced look. This part of the house was about 30 feet by 50 feet. Between 1898 and 1905, Theodore Davis Boal expanded the house again. He added some Beaux-Arts style, which is known for its grand and decorative features. The front of the house grew from three sections to five.
Today, the Boal Mansion is a museum. It displays many interesting items from eight generations of the Boal family. These include a desk that belonged to Christopher Columbus and a piece of Napoleon's hair. The property also has the 16th-century Columbus Chapel. This chapel was brought over from Spain in 1909. Other buildings include an 1898 carriage house, a silo, and the Boal Barn. There is also a stone smokehouse and two outdoor fireplaces. The house became a protected historic site in 1978. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Boal Barn Theater
The Boal Barn is a building on the Boal Mansion property. It used to be a summer theater called the Nittany Theatre. Each summer, the theater would put on about six plays or musicals. Both professional and local actors performed there.
The Barn also hosted smaller theater projects. Playwrights from Penn State University sometimes used the Barn. They would have first performances, script readings, and dress rehearsals there.
Images for kids
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The 1898 carriage house
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The 1909 Christopher Columbus chapel
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The barn
