kids encyclopedia robot

Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property
Shreveport September 2015 102 (Shreveport Municipal Auditorium).jpg
Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium is located in Shreveport Downtown
Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium
Location in Shreveport Downtown
Location 705 Elvis Presley Boulevard (formerly Grand Avenue), Shreveport, Louisiana
Area 2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built 1929
Built by Ashton Glassell Company, Inc.
Architect Jones, Roessle, Olschner & Wiener
Architectural style Art Deco
Part of Shreveport Commercial Historic District (ID82002760)
NRHP reference No. 91000624
Quick facts for kids
Significant dates
Added to NRHP May 28, 1991
Designated NHL October 6, 2008
Designated CP May 16, 1997

Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium is a historic performance and meeting venue at 705 Elvis Presley Boulevard in Shreveport, Louisiana. It is an Art Deco building constructed between 1926 and 1929 during the administration of Mayor Lee Emmett Thomas as a memorial to the servicemen of World War I. In 1991, the auditorium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on October 6, 2008, it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

The building also became a contributing property of Shreveport Commercial Historic District when its boundaries were increased on May 16, 1997.

Design

The building was designed by architects Samuel G. Wiener, Sr., and Seymour Van Os, both of the firm of Jones, Roessle, Olschner & Wiener of Shreveport. Contractor for construction was the Ashton Glassell Company, also of Shreveport.

Stage of Stars Museum

The Municipal Memorial Auditorium houses the Stage of Stars Museum, and a 3,200-seat auditorium, which is used for concerts, family shows, Broadway plays, boxing, and other special events. It is nationally significant, and was designated a National Historic Landmark, for hosting the Louisiana Hayride radio program, hosted by Frank Page (1925-2013). During its heyday, from 1948 to 1960, the program spawned the careers of some of the greatest names in American Country and Rockabilly music. The Hayride regularly featured performers, such as Hank Williams, Slim Whitman, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, and Elvis Presley, who got his start at this venue.

Renovations

The auditorium underwent renovations from 1994 through 2004. Recent improvements to the auditorium have included air conditioning, renovated restrooms, installation of ramps and an elevator.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Auditorio conmemorativo municipal de Shreveport para niños

kids search engine
Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.