DAR Constitution Hall facts for kids
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DAR Constitution Hall
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DAR Constitution Hall
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 Location in Central Washington, D.C.
Location in the District of Columbia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1776 D Street NW Washington, D.C. |
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| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | John Russell Pope |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002724 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 16, 1985 |
| Designated NHL | September 16, 1985 |
DAR Constitution Hall is a famous concert hall in Washington, D.C.. It's located at 1776 D Street NW, very close to the White House. The Daughters of the American Revolution, also known as the DAR, built it in 1929. They needed a bigger place for their yearly meetings because their group had grown so much.
Today, the DAR still owns and runs Constitution Hall. It's a very important cultural spot in Washington, D.C. It has the city's largest auditorium and was named a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
Contents
What is DAR Constitution Hall Like?
The famous architect John Russell Pope designed Constitution Hall. It sits near other important buildings like the Department of the Interior. The hall is also across from the Ellipse, a large park in front of the White House.
How Many People Can Fit Inside?
The hall can seat 3,702 people. There are 2,208 seats in the upper sections, called tiers. Another 1,234 seats are on the main floor, known as the orchestra level. There are also 52 special boxes, each with five seats. One of these is a special box for the President!
What Does the Building Look Like?
Constitution Hall is built in the Neoclassical style. This means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It's covered in beautiful Alabama limestone. Inside, the auditorium has a unique U-shaped balcony. This design helps everyone have a good view, even with so many seats. The hall also has a large pipe organ with 40 different sounds.
Famous Events and History
DAR Constitution Hall hosts many different kinds of events. You can see concerts, school graduations, and big meetings there. It's also a popular place for TV shows and other performances.
Movies and TV Shows
Many famous events have happened at the hall. The movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington had its first showing there in 1939. Comedy specials like Eddie Murphy Delirious (1983) and Chris Rock's Never Scared (2004) were recorded here.
Popular TV game shows have also filmed episodes at Constitution Hall. Jeopardy! was there in 1997, 2004, 2012, and 2016. Wheel of Fortune taped shows in 2000 and 2001.
Music and Other Performances
From 1930 to 1971, Constitution Hall was the main home for the National Symphony Orchestra. It was also the top place for famous classical musicians to perform. Even some of the earliest mainstream country music concerts happened here. The National Geographic Society used the hall for many years to show their popular film lectures. The free Air Force Band also holds popular concerts there, especially their special Christmas show.
A Moment in History: Marian Anderson
In 1939, something very important happened at Constitution Hall. The DAR group did not allow African-American singer Marian Anderson to perform there. This was because of her race.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was upset by this decision. She left the DAR in protest. Instead, Marian Anderson performed a huge outdoor concert. It happened on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. More than 75,000 people came to watch, and millions more listened on the radio.
Later, the DAR changed its policy. Marian Anderson did perform at Constitution Hall in 1943 for a charity event. In 1964, she even chose it as the first place for her farewell concert tour.
Presidential Visits
Every U.S. president since Calvin Coolidge has attended at least one event at Constitution Hall. This shows how important and historic the venue is.
