Washington Hall (Seattle) facts for kids
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Washington Hall
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Front of the building (east façade) in 2013
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 Location in Seattle WA Downtown
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| Location | 153 14th Avenue, at E. Fir Street, Seattle, Washington |
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| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Victor W. Voorhees |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 10001018 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 13, 2010 |
Washington Hall is a really old and important building in Seattle, Washington. It's so special that it's listed as a city landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.
This building was first built in 1908. It was a community center for the Danish Brotherhood in America. This group helped new immigrants from Denmark. They had meeting rooms and small apartments for people who had just arrived.
Later, in 1973, the building was sold to the Sons of Haiti. This was an African-American Masonic group. They rented out parts of the building to different people and groups. In 2009, a group called Historic Seattle bought Washington Hall. They fixed it up, and it opened again in 2010.
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About Washington Hall
What does Washington Hall look like?
Washington Hall is a three-story building. It is made of wood, but it has a brick outside layer. The way it was designed mixes a few different styles. These include Mission Revival and other commercial building styles.
A long and interesting history
The Danish Brotherhood in America wanted a place for their growing group. So, they asked for Washington Hall to be built in 1907. A local architect from Seattle, Victor W. Voorhees, drew the plans.
The idea was to have places for new Danish immigrants to live. It also had meeting and social areas for members. There was even a dance hall and a stage for performances. This helped the building earn money.
Over the years, Washington Hall has helped many immigrants. People from Denmark, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Brazil found a place there. Many famous people have visited or performed at the hall.
For example, important speakers like Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Du Bois gave talks there. Music legends like Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, and Billie Holiday played on the upstairs stage. It was also the first home for "On the Boards." This group shows modern performances.
How the building changed hands
Washington Hall was first used by the Danish Brotherhood in America. It was their Seattle Lodge #29. In the 1970s, the Sons of Haiti bought the building. They kept using the first floor for their group. They also rented out the second floor for shows and events. The Sons of Haiti made some changes to the building over time.
By 2007, the building was not in good shape. People worried it might not be saved. But in 2009, Historic Seattle bought it. They started fixing it up in 2010. More work is planned for the future.
Because it is so important, Washington Hall became a Seattle city landmark. In 2010, it received a grant of $90,000 to help with its repairs. In December 2010, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a very important historic place in the country.
