Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Old Saybrook Town Hall and Theater
|
|
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in 2011
|
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 300 Main St., Old Saybrook, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1910-11 |
| Built by | William L. Roe Jr. |
| Architect | James Sweeney |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000558 |
| Added to NRHP | June 21, 2007 |
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, often called The Kate, is a special place for shows and performances in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It opened in 2009 and is named after Katharine Hepburn. She was a famous actress who won four Academy Awards, which are like the biggest prizes in movies. Katharine Hepburn was also a well-known resident of Old Saybrook.
The Kate is a non-profit organization, meaning it uses its money to support its mission rather than make a profit. It's located in a historic building that used to be a town hall and theater. This building first opened in 1911 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
What You Can See and Do at The Kate
The Kate has been updated with money from the town and from donations. It now has a theater with 285 seats and a special museum about Katharine Hepburn.
Performances and Events
The Kate offers many different types of shows and events each year, usually more than 250! You can enjoy:
- Music concerts
- Theater plays
- Comedy shows
- Movies
- Live broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera
- Dance performances
The Kate also has art education programs for kids and teens. It tries to offer something for everyone, attracting visitors from all over Connecticut and nearby areas.
The Katharine Hepburn Museum
The Katharine Hepburn Museum gives visitors a real look into the life of Miss Hepburn and her family. It shows how much she influenced culture and history.
In the museum, you'll find:
- Many photos from Katharine Hepburn's life and career.
- Her 1975 Primetime Emmy Award, which is a TV award.
- Examples of letters she wrote to her family when she was starting her career.
- Pieces of her costumes and personal clothes.
- Two of her own paintings, including a self-portrait.
The museum often gets new donations to add to its collection.
History of the Building
The building where The Kate is located was built around 1910. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. At that time, it was known as the Old Saybrook Town Hall and Theater. Today, it is also known as The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theater.
Honoring Katharine Hepburn
The idea for the 285-seat theater had the support of Katharine Hepburn's family. Cynthia McFadden from ABC News, who helped manage Hepburn's estate, was part of the fundraising committee. Hepburn's brother-in-law, Ellsworth Grant, also helped a lot. He shared his knowledge of Hepburn and her family with the people in charge of The Kate. Grant was an author and a former mayor of West Hartford, Connecticut.
Former Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell spoke about The Kate, saying it was a pleasure to see one of Connecticut's own honored in such a way. She noted that Katharine Hepburn contributed a lot to film and theater around the world.
U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd also praised the effort to restore the old Town Hall. He said it would be a meaningful tribute to Katharine Hepburn, calling her a "Connecticut treasure."
Building Design
The building was designed by an architect named James Sweeney from New London. It is a great example of the Colonial Revival Style, which is a type of architecture that looks back to early American designs. The main builder for the project was William L. Roe Jr., also from New London.
See also
