National Theatre (Boston, 1911) facts for kids

The National Theatre (1911-1978) was a very large building in Boston, Massachusetts. It had 3,500 seats and was located on Tremont Street in the South End area. This theater was special because it could be used for many different things. It showed movies, hosted lectures, and had live stage shows.

Many famous people performed at the National Theatre. These included the founder of Jehovah's Witnesses, Joseph F. Rutherford. Big-name entertainers like Duke Ellington and Ray Bolger also performed there. The theater showed popular movies too, such as The Battle of Gettysburg in 1913. Even the English High School held its graduation ceremonies at the National Theatre.

Around 1919, the theater was also known as the "Waldorf Theater." It was later called the "Hippodrome" at times. In 1992, a theater owner named Philip Smith bought the building.

Later Years and Closing

After World War II, the National Theatre was open sometimes for plays and movies. It wasn't open all the time. Famous people, like clothing designer Joseph Abboud, were among the audience members. The National Theatre finally closed its doors in 1978.

After it closed, the Boston Center for the Arts took care of the property. There were many plans to rebuild or change the building. However, the building stayed until 1997. That year, it was torn down.

Images for kids

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  The National Theatre on Tremont Street in Boston, 1911.

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  An advertisement for the movie Tillie's Punctured Romance starring Charlie Chaplin, from 1915.

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  An advertisement for a "base ball machine" at the Hippodrome (which was another name for the National Theatre), 1915.

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  A political rally for James Michael Curley, who was a famous Boston politician, held at the National Theatre in 1917.

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  An advertisement for Joseph F. Rutherford's lecture at the National Theatre, 1920.