Washington Hall (Seattle)

Washington Hall is a historic building and a registered city landmark in Seattle, Washington, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2] It was originally built as a community center by the Danish Brotherhood in America, a fraternal organization, with meeting halls and one-room apartments for new immigrants. In 1973, the building was sold to the Sons of Haiti (an African-American Masonic group) who leased the space to various tenants. It was purchased in 2009 by Historic Seattle and was renovated and re-opened in 2010.

Washington Hall
Front of the building (east façade) in 2013
Location153 14th Avenue, at E. Fir Street, Seattle, Washington
Coordinates47°36′10.22″N 122°18′52.7″W
Built1908 (1908)
ArchitectVictor W. Voorhees
Architectural styleMission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No.10001018[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 13, 2010[2]
Designated SEATLJuly 16, 2010[3]

Description
Interior of Washington Hall during the March 2013 Women Who Rock un-conference

The building is a three-story, double wood frame structure with a brick veneer skin. The design is an eclectic mix of Mission Revival and commercial styles.[4]

History

Designed to house the needs of its growing fraternal lodge, the hall was commissioned to be built in 1907 by the Danish Brotherhood in America. The original floor plan was designed by local Seattle architect Victor W. Voorhees,[4] with the intent to provide boarding facilities for new Danish immigrants to Seattle, along with meeting and social spaces for members, and a dance hall and performing arts venue to provide outside income. Throughout its history, it has sheltered immigrants from Denmark, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Brazil. Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Du Bois have spoken at Washington Hall, and artists like Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix and Billie Holiday performed on the upstairs stage. It served as the original home of On the Boards, a presenter of contemporary performance, now located in Lower Queen Anne, a nearby neighborhood."[5]

Washington Hall's original purpose was as a meeting hall for the Danish Brotherhood in America, Seattle Lodge #29,[6] and in the 1970s was purchased by the Sons of Haiti (an African-American Masonic group) who "continued to use the first floor rooms for their organization and rent out the second floor as performance space." Various renovations were completed by the Sons of Haiti.[4]

In 2007, the building was in poor condition and prospects for preserving the building seemed dim.[7][8] It was purchased in 2009 by Historic Seattle. The first phase of the building's restoration was completed in 2010, with additional work expected to be phased over several years.[9]

The building was subsequently designated a Seattle city landmark,[10] and in 2010 a $90,000 grant was secured for its renovation.[11] In December 2010, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 12/13/10 through 12/17/10". National Register of Historic Places Program: Weekly List. National Park Service. December 23, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  3. "Landmarks and Designation". City of Seattle. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  4. "City of Seattle Landmark Designation: Washington Hall" (PDF).
  5. Marian Liu (April 27, 2010). "Washington Hall, Seattle's cultural Ellis Island, reopens with a house party". The Seattle Times.
  6. "Washington Hall History".
  7. Brendan Kiley (October 24, 2007). "What's Going to Happen to Oddfellows Hall? Three Real Estate Deals and What They Mean for Seattle Theater". The Stranger. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  8. Kery Murakami (June 11, 2007). "Historic Central Area hall looks as if it's on its last legs". Seattle PI.
  9. Knute Berger (June 15, 2009). "Washington Hall purchased by Historic Seattle". Crosscut. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  10. Holden, Dominic (January 9, 2009). "Washington Hall Designated as Historic Landmark". Slog (The Stranger's blog). Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  11. Welch, Craig (June 15, 2010). "Puget Sound area icons of the past split $750,000 grant". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
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