MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES The Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, 1878 Hall, 1878-1928, Cincinnati, 1928. N 4331630 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: 1. FORM PREPARED BY STREET AND NUMBER: T2.
STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- I hereby certify that this property is included in the tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation level of significance of this nomination is: Title Director, Ohio Historical Society 45202 12-4-69 Seconds Degrees Local LONGITUDE LATITUDE DATE Cincinnati Minutes COUNTY ORGANIZATION STATE National CORNER ATTEST: Degrees Minutes Seconds Cincinnati Music Hall Association Ohio CODE JAN 2 6 1970 16 December 1969 National Register.
NAME AND TITLE: CITY OR TOWN: 71452 Cincinnati Music Hall Assn., Golden Jubilee, Cincinnati Music Name Peter Outcalt, Secretary CINCINNATI MUSIC HALL-ELM STREET, BETWEEN TWELFTH AND FOURTEENTH. SOURCE: Thematic Resources of Samuel Hannaford/Samuel Hannaford & Sons,1858-1900 XX (January 1909): n. p. Rookwood Pottery (ncinna.ii Saxby's Magazine ODD FELLOWS TEMPLE Samuel Hannaford & Sons. Architects. Chattanooga, Birmingham. Vicksburg, etc.) SOURCE: Engelhardt, George W. Geo. W. Engelhardt Co., 1901. DEMOLISHED City.Cincinnati:The Seventh and Elm Streets. Thematic Resources of Samuel Hannaford/Samuel Hannaford & Sons,1858-1900 Cincinnati to Florida, New Orleans and Shreveport through Lexington. Cincinnati, The Queen General Offices of the Queen & Crescent System. 4 Over-the-Rhine Columbus, Ohio 43211 4. Present Name(s) 5. Other Name(s) 3.
Location of Negatives Cincinnati Music Hall & Exposition Hall 16. Thematic Category 28. No. of Stories 3. Specific Location Yes O 29. Basement? Date(s) or Period 30. Foundation Material 7. City or Town If Rural, Township & Vicinity 18. Style or Design 31. Wall Construction 3. Site Plan with North Arrow ELM ST. 19. Architect or Engineer S. Hannaford & Henry Proctor 32. Roof Type & Material 20. Contractor or Builder Various: slate 33. No. of Bays 21. Original Use, if apparent music & exposition hall 34. Wall Treatment 22. Present Use GRANT ST. 23. Ownership Public Road? 36. Changes Addition X Private O Altered X ). Coordinates in #42) Moved O 24. Owner's Name & Address, if known 37. Condition U.T.M. Reference Cone 25. Open to Preservation Structure - Building * Object O 26. Local Contact Person or Organization 39. Endangered? By What? 1. On National 27. Other Surveys in Which Included 3.
Part of Estab. Yes District 40. Visible from Hist. Dist.? 41. Distance from and Inventory August, 1978. (over) @ 400' 42. Further Description of Important Features This superlative cultural building exhibits a symmetrical front rising to a height of 150 feet, is flanked by two square towers The numerous bays display a colorful array of Queen Anne, Romanesque, and Gothic detailing. 43. History and Significance In 1870 Cincinnati's first Saengerfest and Exposition Building was built on the old Cin- the grounds were utilized by the Asylum for the care of displaced and disabled orphans. After moving to Mt. Auburn the Asylum property was used for the exposition hall, (over) 44. Description of Environment and Outbuildings Cincinnati Music Hall is located on the western side of Washington Park, although the rear facade faces Central Parkway and Ezzard Charles Drive.
The location of the Exposition Hall 45. Sources of Information 46. Prepared by Personal observation Hamilton County Courthouse, Book 81, Page 3, Parcel 40. Organization Beach: Jordan & Co., 1978. Date 49. Revision Date(s) Hamilton 1876-1879 County restricted Gordon/Tuttle Side Front Cincinnati Northing Easting Register? Underway? HALL Potent'? Long. Lat. brick ashlar stone James Griffith WASH. stretcher bond (Explain High Victorian Gothic Miami Purchase Association (over) ciation Cincinnati Historic Ohio Historical Center appearance is distinguished by numerous projecting pavilions, wall Cincinnati Music Hall Cincinnati City Planning Com- The City of Cincinnati Frontage on Road Ohio Historic Preservation Office Eligible? OHIO HISTORIC INVENTORY 1243 Elm Street mission & Miami Purchase Asso- with steep hip caps. MUSIC HAM-2221-4 ZZARN CHARLES C, E, N 35. Plan Shape irregular 3|1 6 40 15.
Name of Established District Miller, Zane, and Roth, George. Cincinnati's Music Hall, Virginia cinnati Orphan Asylum property at Elm Street opposite Washington Park. From 1837 to 1869 was carefully planned by its organizers; it was close to the canal and 11 /70 Exposition Exterior Site excellent PARK Interior 27. (continued) Cincinnati: Weisenhart Press, 1943. The dominant rose window is surrounded by a large Gothic corbel, while vivid brick corbeling mark musical instruments add to the Victorian motif. Taken as a whole, this building exhibits the and by 1875 Reuben Springer and 50 contributors organized a corporation for construction of a and oversee construction of the new hall. Construction began in October, 1876 and opening and Mrs. J. Ralph Corbett, Music Hall was restored to its position as the cultural center of Cincinnati.
Not only is the building listed in the National Register, it has been designated a Music Hall provides strong visual boundary for the Over-the-Rhine. teriorating neighborhood.Largely through the generous financial contribution provided by Mr, National Historic Landmark. numerous sandstone beltcourses, stringcourses, and imbricated slate roof.Keyboard lintels and Master's Thesis, University of Cincinnati, l977. Music Hall. Hannaford and Sons were commissioned to undertake major renovation to the hall's interior, 1880 the Democratic Party nominating convention was held there, and in 1888 the elaborate Cen- of 4,428.A year later the north and south wings were completed for the Annual Exposition; in installing a stage and proscenium arch for the symphony orchestra.The cost of the project was and Areas. November, 1960. Crowe, Michael.
A Preliminary Documentation of the Career of Samuel Hannaford (1835-1911)- architectural gayity of the late Victorian era and incorporates with it the festival nature of a Cincinnati City Planning Commission. Inventory and Appraisal of Historic Sites, Buildings, Work Projects Administration. Cincinnati: A Guide to the Queen City and Its Neighbors. horse drawn railway, it was protected from the surrounding neighborhood, and the land was free.
the gable end, eaves, bays, and towers.A horizontal emphasis is carried through the use of the permanent edifice.Local architects Samuel Hannaford and Henry Proctor were selected to design night was May 14, 1878.The cost of the building was $496,943.78 and boasted a seating capacity tennial Exposition brought attention to the hall from all over the nation.In 1895 Samuel ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Inventory - National Register Write-up Entered - OTHER KEEPER HAER CONTROL TECHNICAL ARCHEOLOGIST Send-back HISTORIAN Maps Re-submit MAR Federal Register Entry BRANCH CHIEF REVIEW UNIT Photos l2g state OH-Hamilton REVIEW UNIT CHIEF United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO N Working Number 1/-15- 79 277G NPS Number 70/-34.0014 Title: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TION DATE OF PHOTO: NEGATIVE FILED AT: DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.
35 EAST 7th ST. 1969 061 Cincinnati Hamilton COUNTY STATE DATE CODE NATIONAL PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER REGISTER COMMON: Cincinnati Music Hall Barbara Hunt Associates Ohio PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES (Type all entries -attach to or enclose with photograph) STREET AND NUMBER: West facade of Music Hall ENTRY NUMBER CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 FOR NPS USE ONLY 1243 Elm Street CITY OR TOWN: DENTIFICATION OUo EXECUTIVE BLDG. NAME 606 Executive Bldg., 35 East 7th Street, Cincinnati/45202 PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number:64000626 Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Hon. Chalmers Pongburn Wylle Bon. Donald C. Clancy JAN 2 7 1970 Duplicate letters sent to: (Signed) Hon.William B.Saxbe Hon. Thonas Ludlon Ashley DAL-Mr. Melvin 1/23/70 Hon. Chorles H. Whelen, Jr.
Gamble:rm JAN 2 7 1970 tional Convention of 1880, the Cincin- Industrial Expositions, home shows, air shows, automobile shows, wrestling matches, in short, Cincin- The great Cincinnati Music Hall, an building, stands majestically at the corner of 14th and Elm - just a short Music Hall is best known, however, walk from the pulse beat of the city's for its central portion, the grandiose, center. Dedicated at the time of the spacious and acoustically perfect 3,632 third May Festival in 1878, Music Hall has endured famously over the years, a testament to those who conceived it tribute to its grandeur. On January 27, 1970, it was appropriately recognized as Department of the Interior. In reality, three separate buildings red curtain and the red motif is carried carpeted floors. In the domed center purpose - to house musical activities of the ceiling of the auditorium, an oil in 1967.
symphony concerts and theatrical dramatic chandelier of brass and Foyer where Cincinnati's Symphony formances. These halls are spectacu- present Convention Center was built out in vividly upholstered chairs and Allegory of the Arts. This was part of under one roof, Music Hall was de- in a center area and industrial exhibi- Across the stage hangs a magnificent These have ranged from traditional performances to the Democratic Na- tions in its side wings. It has played seat Springer Auditorium and Main signed originally for a unique and dual and to those who continue to con- larly decorated in hues of burgundy painting by Arthur Thomas depicts an a National Historic Place by the U.S. Opera and Ballet Company hold per- host to a wide number of activities.
CINCINNATI,OHIO music Ball May Festival, Summer century-old elegant Orchestra, from the center of the dome is a the grand style of the day, often re- Gothic" or "romantic eclecticism." The length of the building on Elm thousands of hand-cut crystals, seem- ingly light and airy but actually weigh- ing two tons. It is dramatically raised and lowered for every performance. in the main foyer were part of the 1969 This great Victorian pile of 3,858,000 turrets, gables, insets, nooks and Street is 372 feet, the depth from Elm to Central Parkway is 293 feet and the front gable 150 feet above the sidewalk. "rose window" is a prominent feature The Main Foyer, where patrons have sions of various events, also serves as a life of Music Hall. Here can be seen the statues or busts of the famous conductors Theodore Thomas and Max Rudolph. Early composers and patrons J.
Ralph Corbett represents the pres- Tower, a stunningly decorated recep- world. A 90 ton steel grid framework is renovation. deliers. Cheodore Chomas Hall is located on Central Parkway always promenaded during intermis- Hannaford and Proctor and built in are represented by Reuben Springer, designed by the Cincinnati firm of Above the Main Foyer is Corbett est and best-equipped stages in the viduals and significant events in the ent day. Reuben Springer 1878. Patrons could approach by car- cherry red pressed bricks is an archi- gallery honoring contributors, indi- compliments the sparkle of its chan- Some Cincinnatians affectionately de- The present rear entrance to Music Stephen Foster and Charles Aiken.
scribe it as "Sauerbraten Byzantine." time the building was completed in tectural eccentric, with its garrets, J.Ralph Corbett which was the Miami Canal at the Music Hall possesses one of the larg- used to suspend scenery and lighting. highest point is the pinnacle of the of the front facade. This and the five smaller chandeliers riage as well as on foot or by boat. broken surfaces and planes. It was tion room. A resplendent gold decor It covers an area of 2y acres.A large It rests on the original walls of the 1844 Springer and J. Ralph Corbett. It was Orphan Asylum, one of the early occu- Springer, an early Cincinnati million- aire, who recognized the need to house exhibits properly. Culture and com- ized Q-file control-console in the light- Cincinnati.
Up until that time, these North Hall, which used to house a 6000 seat sports arena, now contains a huge scenery storage area, carpenter shop and rehearsal hall. On the second 1875, a world famous choral event floor of the South Hall, a ballroom fea- of their time, the trustees engaged the murals, an 18' by 20' by 195' scene of open the second concert a tremendous throughout the whole of Music Hall is thunderstorm crashed overhead. The all three floors are located on the South Saenger Halle. Thomas could not con- duct, the orchestra could not be heard Fortunately, the rain stopped and the concert went on. Springer, who was in Music Hall owes its existence to two the audience, conceived a plan for a their city and its music- Reuben and dressing rooms. Air conditioning Foyer prominent Cincinnatians who loved great musical events and industrial and the event was almost cancelled.
the Suspension Bridge. and Exhibition Center. bund singing society on municipal ries that produced the sturdy piers of bringing together the greatest artists renowned Theodore Thomas to con- activities were based in a tin-roofed To open the third May Festival in public building in the city. ing cage at the right of the stage.A system are controlled by a computer- double hydraulic lift operates the limestone taken from the same quar- Hawaii. The first floor houses offices rain pelted down on the tin roof of apron of the stage which may be structure to bea combined Music Hall duct. Just as he raised his baton to wooden structure built by the Saenger- lowered to form an orchestra pit. tures one of the world's largest photo- land. At that time it was the largest stage lights and the public address merce went hand-in-glove in early controlled by 23 zones. Escalators to side of the Foyer.
Subsurfaces are of He proposed that the citizens of Cin- would put up the other half. This then In 1955 there was a major face lifting with the approval of prominent busi- tially financed by the Corbett Founda- About 600 contributors raised $125,000, tion, produced the Hall in its present form with air-conditioning, escalators, This was matched by $125,000 from Springer and was enough to start doubtedly one of the greatest facilities of its kind in the world. Music Hall was built in the incredi- bly fast time of one year in time for the able complex, across Central Parkway Machinery Hall were added in time for Educational Television station, WCET, the 1879 Industrial Exposition. Total construction cost was $446,000. Originally, Music Hall had no gallery Yet, with all its improvements, the world famous, have been preserved remodeled.
The North Wing, already poses, was made into one of the finest the Music Hall Association represent- obstruction. Huditorium including an important contribution the new building. persons, without pillars or posts for equipped for general exhibition pur- nessmen and ordinary citizens alike. a dance hall accommodating 2100 the second floor being turned into renovation, spearheaded and substan- Newest addition to this incompar- or proscenium arch. These were added cinnati put up half the funds and he ing the City of Cincinnati which owns intact.
So also has its original concept Music Hall can aptly be called The Later, two side wings, Art Hall and trian walkway, are the studios of the and a 650 car garage as well as various and connected by an overhead pedes- rare acoustics for which Music Hall is of a non-salaried Board of Trustees of of $3000.00 by the city's school chil- Queen of the Queen City." and finally in 1969, the most recent shops. modern dressing rooms and other the building for the people. Truly, sports arenas in the country. The finishing touches to what is un- South Wing was also reconstructed, opening of the 1878 May Festival. CINCINNATI MUSIC HALL 70 000 496 15 IAPR186 Hendersson, R 1. MISSING _ 2. REMOVED/_ 6. OVER- 7. NPS - 8. DOE - 9. RESTRICTED (NHL Name, if different than NRHP Name) (If multi-state/county MRA, state/county where filed and location) WASO 21 JAN.
1986 (County) (State) DEMOLISHED COMMENTS: EXPLANATION: Locator Card UNDOCUMENTED STATUS: SIZED (Date Removed) OWNER OBJECTION (Completed by) (Current source of partial documentation) (Date Designated) (Cause for removal) (Date Found/Replaced) (Location of oversize file) (Date form completed) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (Where found, or source of replacement) National Register of Historic Places (Resource Name) HAMILTON (Reference Number[sl) or MRA Name) Available on: Microfiche (X); Optical Disk (X) (Target Date)
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