Grand Opera House (Wilmington, Delaware) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Masonic Hall and Grand Theater
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The Grand Opera House from the northwest
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | 818 N Market St, Wilmington, Delaware |
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| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | Thomas Dixon, Charles L. Carson |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000294 |
| Added to NRHP | December 11, 1972 |
The Grand Opera House, often called The Grand, is a cool place in Wilmington, Delaware, where you can watch amazing shows. It has 1,208 seats! This four-story building was built way back in 1871. It was created by a group called the Delaware Grand Lodge of Masons. They wanted a special meeting place and a big hall for events.
Building The Grand cost about $100,000 back then. An architect named Thomas Dixon designed it. He used a fancy style called Second Empire. If you look closely at the front, you might see symbols from the Masons. For example, there's a special eye symbol on the top part of the building.
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A Place for All Kinds of Shows
For many years, The Grand was a very busy place. It hosted all sorts of performances. You could see grand operas and beautiful symphonies. There were also plays, funny shows, and variety acts. Famous performers like Ethel Barrymore and "Buffalo Bill" Cody even performed here! The famous band leader John Philip Sousa also played his music at The Grand.
From Live Shows to Movies
Later, for most of the 1900s, The Grand became a movie theater. A big company called Warner Brothers ran it starting in 1930. People came to watch all the latest films. But in 1967, the movie theater closed its doors.
The Grand Reopens
Luckily, The Grand didn't stay closed for long. It reopened just four years later, in 1971. This time, it went back to its roots, focusing on live performances. It became a home for classical music, ballet, and opera. Today, it works with groups like the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and OperaDelaware. The First State Ballet Theatre also performs there.
A Historic Landmark
The Grand Opera House is very important. In 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special building because of its history and unique design. Experts say it's one of the best examples of old buildings made with cast iron in America. It also has a strong connection to important people and events in Delaware's past.
In 1973, a non-profit group took over managing The Grand. They worked hard to fix up the building. This big restoration project was finished in 1976. Thanks to their efforts, The Grand continues to be a wonderful place for arts and entertainment today!
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