GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY_1.66 (76,687 square feet) UTM REFERENCES AL119/ 13131013,20/ 14,619.012,2,01 EASTING NORTHING BL LLLL ZONE EASTING ,1. Lu NORTHING CL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION eginning at the corner of West Street and Washington Street, proceed south to the south ot line of the Paramount Theatre (#1); west to the rear lot line; then north, east, north nd east along said line; north along the rear lot line of the Adams House Annex (#2); west long the south lot line of the Savoy Theater (#3) to Mason Street; north to the north lot ine of the Savoy Theater (#3); east along said line to the rear lot line of the Bigelow- ennard Building(#7); north to West Street; east to the point of beginning.
LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE IFORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE ORGANIZATION Masnachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston Judith McDonough, Boston Landmarks Commission Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator DATE July 3, 1978 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE Massachusetts 02108 2 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - STATE - As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665).1 hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE fatum RWesbusk. 7/31/28 TITLE Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Conmission ATE ORNPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ATTEST: ( KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER DATE DATE GPO 892-453 Do not film UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OFTHE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED ..... DATE ENTERED ) 5. 4. -2. CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 4, 9 PAGE 1 12/11/78 Pexpu. Prendle LIST OF OWNERS NEEu modern pheaate 525 Washington Street. Mayflower Theater Owner: Thomas Francis 0'Brien 523 Wach.St. 525 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. 533 Washington Street. New Adams House Restaurant Owner: Beldekas Enterprises 533 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.
537 Washington Street. Savoy Theater Owner: Beacon Hill Theater, Inc. 15-A Bleachery Court, Boston, Mass. 547 Washington n Street -ZETARNEN Owner: Henry Levin Trustees 547 Washington Street, Boston, Triple L Reatly Trur masd 559 Washington Street. Paramount Theater Owner: A. H. Realty Co. 559 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.>C/o Carpenter 59 mass 7. 511 Washington Street. NEk1Cru ENT V Owner: The Bigelow Trust 511 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. 515 Washington Street TTE 6. Owner: George Robert White Fund City Hall, Boston, Mass. 9) 12/8/18 Cunly ffice MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES Stoddard, Richard F. TheArchitecture and Technology of Boston Theaters, 1794-1854 Yale University Thesis, 1971 Tucci, Dougoston, I9he Boston Rialtor Playhouses, Concert Ha11s and Morte Palacees Form No. 10-300a (Kev.
10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 1978 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET - ITEM-NUMBER 7 PAGE 1 is surmounted by a colossal triple arch which rises one full story above the roof line and is decorated in the same lavish fashion. The interior which has been little altered, is orately deocrated in polychrome and gold with sixteen great coluns of polished Italian marble. The New Adams House Restaurant (4) which was built in the 1880's as a dry goods The third and fourth stories which remain in their original condition, reflect a restrained Italianate design. This portion is of red brick defined by pink and white granite trim. Arched windows, semi- circular on the third floor and segmental on the fourth provide the major design elements.
The recessed panel which replaces the northernmost window of the third floor is shown in early photographs as the location of the trademark of the building's original owner. In its present use as a restaurant, the two first floors have been faced with a white wooden neo-Gothic window tracery surmounted by a classical cornice. The other alteration to the building consists of the removal of its original five dormer mansard roof. The Mayflower Theater/Dobson Building: (5) is a Ruskinian Gothic polychromatic structure faced with sandstone. It is three bays in width and five stories in The upper portion ot its central bay is accentuated by paired colonettes which support an overscaled gable with crockets. Contained within the gable is a pointed arch with alternating pink and white voissoirs and a diamond pointed typanum. The first two floors of the building were completely remodeled by C. H.
Blackall and Wallace Sabine in 1913 when it became the Modern Theater. classical design of this portion is in direct contrast to the Gothic vocabulary employed on the original upper portion. The dominant feature is a two story arched entrance flanked by corinthian colums which support a full entabulature. Medallions bearing the theater's monogram are located in the spandrels of the arch. This imposing entrancehas unfortunatelybeen partially obscuredby a modern marquee. The White Building (6) is a seven story office building constructed in 1917. The first two floors which are used for display purposes 'are rectangular in plan while the five which rise above it form a U oriented toward the street. has been obscured by the addition of modern storefronts. The exception is the Tudor arched entrance with the words "White Building" inscribed in a panel above it on the far right.
The second floor retains its three original display windows. The upper floors consist of paired windows between masonry piers and separated by embossed metal spandrels. Ornamentation which is concentrated around the second story windows and at the roofline is of a stylized Gothic type representative of the transition from the historicizing styles of the nineteenth century to the spare geometric designs of the early twentieth. The Bigelow Kennard Building (7) is a nine story late nineteenth century Beaux Form No. 10-300a (Kev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED AUG 9 1978 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 1 Arts comnercial structure.
Typically, its masonry wall surface is highily articulated with heavy lintels and consoles combined with floral pendents and iron balconies and grill work. The Washington Street elevation is organized by triple windows in a single bay, a motif which is continued on the West Street elevation where projecting triple window bays frame the window section. Elaborate string courses and cornices divided the elevations at the second, third, sixth, seventh and eighth floors. The structure is topped by a slate covered mansard roof lit by round dormer windows. (Hev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 1978 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 1 been popularized to allow increased light and ventilation.
The Adams House Annex/Keith Entrace Building (2) began its history as a theater building in 1835 when the Lion Tavern was converted to an amphitheater called the Lion Theater. When it was rechristened the Melodeon in 1844 its fortunes rose and it was the scene of pertormances by such notables as Jenny Lind, Charlotte Cushman, a lecture by Thackery and appearances by numerious other literary and theatrical personalities. In 1859 it was rebuilt and used for minstrel shows, parlor operas and amateur theatricals. In 1878 it was rearranged again and called the Gaity. In 1882 B. F. Keith and a partner purchased the building and had Boston architect, George Wetherell, completely remodel the interior creating the Bijou Theater on the second floor. On the ground floor the two men opened a "Museum of Curiosities" which featured a curio hall.
Here he introduced vaudeville to Boston in the revolutionary form of a continuous performance. The entertainment consisted of family variety entertainment including a lecture, comedy, animal acts and short dramatic pieces. Keith also introduced moving pictures on this site. When architect J. B. McElfatrick built the B. F. Keith Memorial Theater in 1894 behind the Adams House Annex the vaudeville act was moved into the new space and the older building was used as an entrance and lobby. Keith was ridiculed for showing vaudeville; considered to be a low form of entertainment in such palatial surroundings, buti the idea was a success and had a great influence on later movie palace design. It is believed that the entrance from the Adams House Annex to the Keith Theater was blocked when the Savoy was contructed in 1928.
The Paramount Theater stands on the site of several hostelries which served the early theater enterprises. The first was the Lamb Tavern built in 1745. The first stagecoach from Boston to Providence left from its doorstep on July 20, 1767. Management changed a number of times until the building was purchased by Laban Adams who erected the Adams House which was considered the finest hostelry of its time. Business was so good that the proprietors were forced to lease room in adjacent buildings and to purchase two buildings behind it for more sleeping quarters. Adams was in turn replaced in the 1930's by Arthur Bowditch's now unique Paramount Theater. The Bigelow-Kennard Building (7) remains in its original commercial use.
pris ni Espla.le marai mintegut VCC-t ESPLANADE MANDEVILLC MISSIGSIPPI AMER 19 LI MARICNY ir RECEIV NOV 15 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER 190 - Property Washinaton Street Theater Distint Working Number 8.9.78.3783 TECHOTISAL Photos_ Maps 2 CONTROL Ot 8.10.78 HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER retumed for cursent owrecs list Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF LeBorreut 12/1/78 Petumo BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry Send-back 12.4,78 Re-submit 1,8,79 Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 INT:2106- 74 NAME OF PROPERTY ubsdiigton Strut Khutu Crstrict STATE Mlaso. The attached National Register Inventory-Nomination form is being returned to-your, office for clarification of the information indicated below. PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM WHENTHE NOMINATION IS RESUBMITTED. DEC - 7 1978 Description: MASS.
HIST.COMM 8 Statement of Significance: 10 Bibliography: - Geographical Data -- Acreage: UTM Reference(s): Verbal Boundary Description: 12 Certification: Photographic Coverage: Map Coverage: other: Curent list of pryerty swnere reguested on 10-23-78 Mr. J. Porke Psudle of New England Herchante National Bark (617-742-4100) Lad gromieed to supply list, but le never sent it in Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to delores Ryere on the National Register staff, telephone 202-343-7461 Thank you for your attention to the above items. Bill Lebowich Date: Dee 1,/778 Chief, Branch of Registration United States Department of the Interior - Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service Waslington St. Theatu District 1. sign:ficance bolock - invention not justified ThsMi! THE DUSTIENE INDOUATIONS? CONFIRMEDBH JENKINS. I think they weck to strengtlen then angeement for a ditrict.
Individualey, the bielding au fairly-well justifich. but dont get a sene y a cuit. a. Orcludecturall hoco do these buildino compue to theu sos surroundeng b. lo this part o aw originally lager district; is this all that is lejt Camy other theaths o fomer theatces weaby?) c. Not esvertial distuct ar were (are) thee othud? 3. No technical juoblemo. F/m No. 10-300 UNITEDSTATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Rev. 10-74) Estpedite act 1.8.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ATTONAL REGISTER OF HISIORTE PEHEES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM PH0681407 FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 1978 DATE ENTERED MAR 19.1979 2 4 5 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES - COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC Washington Street Theater District AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION STREET & NUM8591-559 Washington Street CITY, TOWN -NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Boston STATE - VICINITY OF CODE 025 COUNTY Suffolk CODE 025 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY x _DISTRICT BUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE _SITE OBJECT OWNERSHIP _PUBLIC XPRIVATE -BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION - IN PROCESS -BEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED -UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE ZYES: RESTRICTED _YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM XCOMMERCIAL _PARK _EDUCATIONAL _PRIVATE RESIDENCE XENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS _GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION _MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME See continuation sheet STREET & NUMBER CITY, TOWN STATE VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC.
STREET & NUMBER Suffolk County Registry of Deeds Pemberton Square CITY. TOWN STATE Boston, Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts DATE 1976 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historical Commission CITY. TOWN _FEDERAL *TATE _COUNTY _LOCAL STATE 294 Washington Street, Boston, MA DESCRIPTION CONDITION _EXCELLENT XGOOD -FAIR _DETERIORATED -RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE -UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE. DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE The Washington Street Theater District is located on the west side of one of Boston's major downtown thoroughfares. It is surrounded by several of the city's distinctive traditional areas. The Boston Common (NR) is on its west, the shopping district on the north and the textile district on the east.
Seven buildings constructed between 1870 and 1935 comprise the district. Their designs reflect the Italianate, High Victorian Gothic, Beaux Arts and Modernistic styles. The buildings vary in height from four to seven stories and in material of construction from brick to granite to limestone to tile. They are generally unaltered on their upper stories although modern signs have in many cases obscured their ground floors. All share party walls except #'s 4 and 5 which are separated by an alley. The Paramount Theater (1) was designed in 1932 by Arthur Bowditch' Its Jimestone faced facade is conposed of the flat elongated rectangular units characteristic of 1930's modernistic design. A central bay is defined by fluted pilasters capped by putti with lyres. These stylized elements which rise from the marquee break through the roofline. The two flanking bays are slightly lower.
Each is character- ized by a tall rectangular window screened by a geometrically designed metal grill. Panels with the Paramount emblems top the windows. The design of this theater is of particular interest because the central bay was purposely left blank to accomodate an elaborate projecting neon sign. This immense polychromatic electric display remains today and forms an integral part of the facade. major alteration to the building to date has been the addition of a modern sign over the original marquee. The dark grey granite facade of the Adams House Annex Keith/Entrance Building (2) is designed in an Italianate mode. Round arched windows divided by heavy tracery into two lights and an oculus dominate the center section. Tripled windows in the slightly recessed flanking sections repeat the round arched motit.
String- courses form the window sills and divice the tacade into horizontal units. Projecting brackets support a mansard roof with five shed roof dormers. The building's present appearance is the result of an 1880's adaptation of an existing building by George Wetherell. The remodeling produced stores on the ground floor, the Bijoux Theater on the second floor and sleeping chambers for the adjacent Adams House (now the Paramount) in the top two levels. The design was further modified in 1894 when B.F. Keith commissioned New York architect J.B. McElfatrick to build the B.F. Keith's Theater at the rear of the ground floor, transforming the former stores in front to entranceway and lobby. The lobby is now used for an amusement arcade. The Keith Theater is a large blank wall brick structure. The Savoy Theater, now the entrance to the previously contructed B.F.
Keith Iheater, was designed by noted American theater architect (3), Thomas Lamb. Its design employs the full vocabulary of classical architecture applied in an exuberant fashion which reflects a "Hollywood" interpretation of the popular Beaux Arts style. The facade is faced with white tile laid in regular courses with vertical moldings delineating recessed panels. This chaste surface is extravagantly detailed with garlands, cartouches, shields, urns and allegorical figures organized around three high narrow windows and above the broad two story entrance arch. The building Form No. 10-300a (Hev.
10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED JAN 8 DATE ENTERED 1979 RAAR 1979 Washington Street CONTINUATION SHEET Theater District ITEM NUMBER 4, PAGE PROPERTY OWNERS AND ADDRESSES (revised) 1. 559 Washington Street. Paramount Theater Owner: A.H. Realty Co. William Swift, Esq., Trustee c/o Hutchinson & Wheeler 1 Boston Place Boston, MA 02108 /2. 547 Washington Street Owner: Henry Levin, Trustee Triple L. Realty Trust 175 Tremont Street Rm. 607 Boston, MA 3. 537 Washington Street. Savoy Theater Owner: Beacon Hill Theater, Inc. 15-A Bleachery Court, Boston, MA 4. 533 Washington Street. New Adams House Restaurant Owner: Beldakas Enterprises 533 Washington Street Boston, MA 5. 523 Washington Street Owner: Modern Theater, Inc.
David Archer 523-525 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111 6. 515 Washington Street Owner: Henry Levin 515 Washington Street Boston, MA 7. 511 Washington Street Owner: Henry Levin, Trustee Triple L. Realty Trust 175 Tremont Street, Rm. 607 Boston, MA 1 Form No. 10-300a (Kev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 1978 MAR 1 9 1979 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET -* ITEM-NUMBER 7 PAGE 1 is surmounted by a colossal triple arch which rises one full story above the roof line and is decorated in the same lavish fashion. The interior which has been Iittle altered, 1s ornately deocrated in polychrome and gold with sixteen great columns of polished Italian marble.
Ihe New Adams House Restaurant (4) which was built in the 1880's as a dry goods store has been heavily altered. The third and fourth stories which remain ir their original condition, reflect a restrained Italianate design. This portion is of red brick defined by pink and white granite trim. Arched windows, semi- circular on the 'third floor and segmental on the fourth provide the major design elements. The recessed panel which replaces the northernmost window of the third floor is shown in early photographs as the location of the trademark of the building's original owner. In its present use as a restaurant, the two first floors have been faced with a white wooden neo-Gothic window tracery surmounted by a classical cornice. The other alteration to the building consists of the removal of its original five dormer mansard roof.
The Mayflower Theater/Dobson Building: (5) is a Ruskinian Gothic polychromatic structure faced with sandstone. It is three bays in width and five stories in height. The upper portion ot its central bay is accentuated by paired colonettes which support an overscaled gable with crockets. Contained within the gable is a pointed arch with alternating pink and white voissoirs and a diamond pointed typanum. The first two floors of the building were completely remodeled by C. H. Blackall and Wallace Sabine in 1913 when it became the Modern Theater. classical design of this portion is in direct contrast to the Gothic vocabulary employed on the original upper portion. The dominant feature is a two story arched entrance flanked by corinthian colums which support a full entabulature.
Medallions bearing the theater's monogram are located in the spandrels of the This imposing entrance has unfortunately been partially obscured by a modern marquee. The White Building (6) is.a seven story office building constructed in 1917. The first two floors which are used for display purposes 'are rectangular in plan while the five which rise above it form a U oriented toward the street. The first floor has been obscured by the addition of modern storefronts. The exception is the Tudor arched entrance with the words "White Building" inscribed in a panel above it on the far right. The second floor retains its three original display windows. The upper floors consist of paired windows between masonry piers and separated by embossed metal spandrels.
Ornamentation which is concentrated around the oe the stans tion osomntet hiktorictzingestyoesostyle zd eoeeic taeee meyrese ntative spare geometric designs of the early twentieth. The Bigelow Kennard Building (7) is a nine story late nineteenth century Beaux Form No. 10-300a (Hev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTOR Y -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED AUG 9 1978 MAR 1 9 1979 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE X2 Arts commercial structure. Typically, its masonry wall surface is highly articulated with heavy lintels and consoles combined with floral pendents and iron balconies and grill work.
The Washington Street elevation is organized by triple windows in a single bay, a motif which is continued on the West Street elevation where projecting triple window bays frame the window section. Elaborate string courses and cornices divided the elevations at the second, third, sixth, seventh and eighth floors. .The structure is topped by a slate covered mansard roof lit by round dormer windows.
8 SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC -_ 1500-1599 AGRICULTURE -1600-1699 XARCHITECTURE 1700-1799 ART X1800-1899 COMMERCE X1900- -COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -RELIGION -CONSERVATION _LAW -SCIENCE -ECONOMICS -LITERATURE -SCULPTURE _EDUCATION _MILITARY - SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING XMUSIC XTHEATER _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY -TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -OTHER (SPECIFY) XINVENTION SPECIFIC DATES BUILDER/ARCHITECT STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Washington Street Theater District is significant for its association with the development of the performing arts in Boston.
It is of high architectural quality, it is the site of the city's earliest theater buildings, and it is where several theatrical innovations such as vaudeville and the moving picture were introduced. The full range of the legitimate theater has been produced on this single block including mucical comedy, grand opera, vaudeville, animal acts, lectures and motion pictures. The Savoy Theater (3) site represents the culmination of two hundred years of Boston's theatrical and musical history. The replacement for the city's first theater, the Boston designed by Charles Bulfinch in 1794, was erected on this site in 1854. This theater, also called the Boston, was designed by Edward and James Cabot and Jonathan Preston from plans by Henri Noury.
Its auditorium was not only technologically advanced for its time, but was considered by playwright and producer Dion Boucicault to be "beyond question the finest theater in the world." Virtually every important star of the time played the Boston, including Sarah Berhnhardt, Maurice Barrymore, Lilly Langtry, James O'Neil (Eugene O'Neil's father), and Edwin Booth. It was here that Bostonians first heard Fedelio, Valkyrie, Faust, Carmen, Boheme, the complete Ring, and Tosca. The Metropolitan Opera played the Boston in its opening year, 1883. The theater was also the scene of numerous galas and fetes for foreign dignitaries such as the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, The Prince of Wales, King Rama VI of Siam, as well as Three U.S. presidents.
Thirty- seven profitable seasons from 1864 to 1901 have been called "a unique record among American Theaters." The present structure which replaced the Boston in 1928 is the only extant theater by Thomas Lamb in the city. Its sumptuous interior and exterior design is unique in Boston and represents a high point in its theater architecture. It is believed that the original connection to the 1894 B.F. Keith Memorial Theater was blocked off at the time of the Savoy's contruction and that the Savoy then became the entrance to the larger Memorial Theater in the rear. The Mayflower Dobson building (6) is the earliest extant and only documented example of a collaboration between Wallace Sabine, the pioneer of modern architectural acoustics (Boston Symphone Hall, NR) and Clarence Howard Balckall, the leading American theater architect of the period.
It was built in 1876 by Levi Newcomb, and originally served as the headquarters for the Dobson Carpet Manufacturing Company, one of the largest carpet manufacturers in the world. Blackall and Sabine converted the structure to a theater in 1913. In 1917 Blackall's firm, Blackall, Calpp and Whittemore, was commissioned to design the White Building (6) for commercial office space. The plan which they produced was based on the U-shape which had recently MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Bamtenir, WsH. Phepr Ceinuand Coostonis on oe Anerlosn , Iters, New Xonk, 1996 Kavanaugh, Joseph. Three American Opera Houses, thesis, University of Delaware, 1967 King, D.C.."Theatres of Boston, Special Issue, Journal of the Theatre Historical Society Vol. 6, 3rd quarter, 1974 King, Moses. King's Handbook of Boston.
Boston, 1885 (see continuation sheet) 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY1.66 (76,687 square feet) UTM REFERENCES AL119| 1313,012,1,0/ 14,619,012,2,9 EASTING NORTHING BLyJ LLNLIlILLL EASTING NORTHING DLULLILLI Lulu VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Beginning at the corner of West Street and Washington Street, proceed south to the south lot line of the Paramount Theatre (#l); west to the rear lot line, then north, east, north and east along said line; north along the rear lot line of the Adams House Annex (#2); west along the south lot line of the Savoy Theater (#3D to Mason Street; north to the north lot line of the Savoy Theater (#3); east along said line to the rear lot line of the Bigelow- Kennard Building(#7); north to West Street; east to the point of beginning.
LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES CODE COUNTY CODE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE STATE 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Judith McDonough, Boston Landmarks Commission Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN July 3, 1978 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE Boston Massachusetts 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL _ STATE _ LOCAL As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National 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 forth by the National ParkService.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Potuu RWesbusk. 7/31/18 TITLE Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Conmission ATE FOR NPS USE ONLY 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTYIS INI QUDED IN THE JATIONAL REGISTER SACCIOR, GEFICE OF ARCHCALOGY ANO-HIGA ATTEST: eboviel KEEPER OF THE NATIONAT REGISTER DATE 319/79 OE DATE mah r6VTl GPO 892-453 Form No. 10-300a (Kev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 1978 DATE ENTERED MAR 1 9 1979 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 1 been popularized to allow increased light and ventilation. The Adams House Annex/Keith Entrace Building (2) began its history as a theater building in 1835 when the Lion Tavern was converted to an amphitheater called the Lion Theater.
When it was rechristened the Melodeon in 1844 its fortunes rose and it was the scene of pertormances by such notables as Jenny Lind, Charlotte Cushman, a lecture by Thackery and appearances by numerious other literary and theatrical personalities. In 1859 it was rebuilt and used for minstrel shows, parlor operas and amateur theatricals. In 1878 it was rearranged again and called the Gaity. In 1882 B. F. Keith and a partner purchased the building and had Boston architect, George Wetherell, completely remodel the interior creating the Bijou Theater on the second floor. On the ground floor the two men opened a "Museum of Curiosities" which featured a curio hall. Here he introduced vaudeville to Boston in the revolutionary form of a continuous performance. The entertainment consisted of family variety entertainment including a lecture, comedy, animal acts and short dramatic pieces.
When architect J. B. McElfatrick built the B. F. Keith Memorial Theater in 1894 5.:1, Nplatric Bt ho B. Keith also introduced moving pictures on this site. behind the Adams House Annex the vaudeville act was moved into the new space and the older building was used as an entrance and lobby. Keith was ridiculed for showing vaudeville, considered to be a low form of entertainment in such palatial surroundings, buti the idea was a success and had a great influence on later movie palace design. It is believed that the entrance from the Adams House Annex to the Keith Theater was blocked when the Savoy was contructed in 1928. The Paramount Theater stands on the site of several hostelries which served the early theater enterprises. The first was the Lamb Tavern built in 1745. The first stagecoach from Boston to Providence left from its doorstep on July 20, 1767.
Management changed a number of times until the building was purchased by Laban Adams who erected the Adams House which was considered the finest hostelry of its time. Business was so good that the proprietors were forced to lease room in adjacent buildings and to purchase two buildings behind it for more sleeping quarters. The Adams was in turn replaced in the 1930's by Arthur Bowditch's now unique Paramount Theater. The Bigelow-Kennard Building (7) remains in its original commercial use. Form No. 10-300a (Kev.
10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED MAR 09 1979 MAR 1 9 1979 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 2 The Washington Street Theater District is significant for its architectural quality and association with the development of the performing arts in Boston. It is the site of several of the city's most important early theaters and the birthplace of American vaudeville. At least one theater has been operating on the block for nearly 150 years; and the full range of theatrical entertainment has been produced here, including musical comedy, grand opera, vaudeville, animal acts, lectures and films.
The three extant theaters in the Washington Street District are distinguished from others in Boston by their close proximity in a block which is cohesive, architecturally varied, and largely intact. Each theater also has particular architectural significance: the Savoy/Keith Memorial (3) as the only known Boston building by prominent New York theater architect Thomas Lamb; the Modern (5) as an important collaboration between Boston's major theater architect, Clarence Balckall, and Harvard acoustician Wallace Sabine; and and the Paramount (1) as the best Boston example of the Art Deco style. The three theaters also have distinctive identities as among the best of Boston's "non-legitimate" theaters, that is, theaters which catered not to serious drama but to taste for vaudeville and later for motion pictures.
In fact, the term "vaudeville" and the form of family variety show which it designated, originated on the block in the 1880's with showman B.F. Keith, who also instituted the new concent of "continuous performances." Keith's nationwide succss in developing big-time vaudeville is memorialized by the most sumptuous theater on the block, the Savoy/Keith Memorial. The vaudeville tradition was gradually eclipsed by another popular art form, the motion picture, which Keith himself is credited with introducing in Boston. Both the Modern (5) and the Paramount (1) were designed specifically to meet the needs of the new medium: the Modern as one of the first Boston theaters built exclusively for "feature films," and the Paramount as the city's first "de luxe picture house." The Savoy Theater site (3) represents the culmination of two hundred years of Boston's theatrical and musical history.
The replacement for the city's first theater, Bulfinch's Boston Theater of 1794, was erected on this site in 1854. This theater, also called the Boston, was designed by Edward and James Cabot and Jonathan Preston from plans by Henri Noury. Its auditorium was not only technologically advanced for its time, but was considered by playwright and producer Dion Boucicault to be "beyond question the finest theater in the world." Virtually every important star of the time played the Boston, including Sarah Bernhardt, Maurice Barrymore, Lilly Langtry, James O'Neil (Eugene O'Neil's father), and Edwin Booth. It was here that Bostonians first heard Fedelio, Valkyrie, Faust, Carmen, Boheme and the complete Ring and Tosca. The Metropolitan Opera played the Boston in its opening year, 1883.
The theater was also the scene of numerous galas and fetes for foreign dignitaries such as the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, the Form No. 10-300a (Hev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED MAR 09 1979 MAK 1979 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 3 Prince of Wales, King Rama VI of Siam, as well as three U.S. presidents. Thirty-seven profitable seasons from 1864 to 1901 have been called "a unique record among American theaters." In the 1920's the Boston Theater was razed to make way for the 3500-seat B.F. Keith Memorial Theater now the Savoy (3) designed by Thomas Lamb and dedicated to the New Englander considered the father of vaudeville, Benjamin Franklin Keith (1846-1914).
The new theater was completed in 1928 under the direction of Keith's long-time general manager, Edward Albee, and Joseph P. Kennedy, chairman of Keith's successor The french baroque interior, with its marble columns, walnut paneling, and expensive oil paintings was said to "surpass all standards of splendor." The luxurious interior was an appropriate tribute to Keith, whose success had been based in part on the grandier of his early theatres, credited with luring respectable society into his variety houses and influencing the design of later movie "palaces." The Savoy is presently being renovated for use by the Opera Company of Boston. Adjacent to the Savoy is a second building also associated with Keith, the Adams House Annex/Keith Entrance Building (2) which began its history as a theater in 1835 when the Lion Tavern was converted to an amphitheater called the Lion Theater.
When it was rechristened the Melodeon in 1844 its fortunes rose, and it was the scene of performances by such notables as Jenny Lind, Charlotte Cushman, a lecture by Thackery and appearances by numerous other literary and theatrical personalties. In 1859 it was rebuilt and used for minstrel shows, parlor operas and amateur theatricals. In 1878, 1t was rearranged again and called the Gaity. During these years the upper floors were used as sleeping rooms for the famed Adams House hostelry next door. In 1882, the building was remodelled again and opened as the Bijou, a 900-seat theater featuring comic opera, burlesque and musicals. In 1886 B.F. Keith leased another part of the Adams House Annex for his variety show.
Keith had begun his entertainment career four years earlier in a nearby storefront with a "Museum of Curiosities" and a 100-seat hall where he offered one hour performances of animal acts and human oddities. Edward Albee joined Keith in 1884, better acts were booked, and the partners moved into a 400-seat hall in the Adams House Annex. Hous mneatrick to duscgss kes suh ehathea ter92, keith-sdat bec hi ed architect a 3000-seat luxury theatre often called "the mother house of vaudeville." The theater was located directly behind the present Adams House Annex, with an entrance lobby through the south half of the ground floor of the Annex. By this time Keith was already expanding to other cities, eventually developing a 400-theater circuit and an entertainment formula which included comedy, trained animals, dancers, escape artists, acrobats, magicians, sharpshooters, and novelty acts.
One of these novelties, the motion picture, was introduced at Keith's New Theater in its opening year, 1894. Eventually both Keith's New Theater and the Bijou were razed, but the mid-nineteenth century Adams House Annex building remains, and the former entrance lobby to Keith's New Theater is now a store. Form No. 10-300a (Kev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED MAR n9 1979 MAR 1 9 1979 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 4 By the second decade of the twentieth century, improved technology had made the motion picture a serious competitor to vaudeville.
built without a stage, exclusively for the showing of the new "feature films" was the Modern (presently the Mayflower,) (5), the earliest extant and only documented example of collaboration between Wallace Sabine, the pioneer of modern architectural acoustics ZESZA (Boston Symphony Hall, N.R.) and Clarence Howard Blackall, the leading American theater architect of the period. The building which housed the Modern was built in 1876 by Levi Newcomband originally served as headquarters for the Dobson Carpet Company, one of the largest carpet manutactureres in the world. Blackall and Sabine converted the structure to a theater in 1913-14. In the 1920's, the Modern was the scene of the Boston premiere of the first talking picture, "The Jazz Singer." The intimate 900-seat theater retains its acoustical excellence and is presently being renovated for use as a performing arts theater.
When it opened in 1932, the Paramount (1) by architect Arthur Bowditch was termed "Boston's first de luxe picture house." It differed from the palatial Metropolitan, an earlier movie theater, by offering an intimate, ultra-modern interior designed specifically for the best possible projection of films, rather than for film/stage The interior featured polished oriental walnut and African ebony, metallic panels of gold, chrome and aluminum, and "modernistic" seat coverings. The building is considered Boston's most elaborate Art Deco building of any type. The Paramount stands on the site of several hostelries which served early theater enterprises. The first was the Lamb Tavern, built in 1745. The first stagecoach from Boston to Providence left from its doorstep on July 20, 1767.
Management changed a number of times until the building was purchased by Laban Adams, who erected the Admas House, considered the finest hostelry of its time. Business was so good that the proprietors were forced to lease room in adjacent buildings and to purchase two buildings behind it for more sleeping quarters. Iwo of the office buildings on the block, the White Building (6) and Bigelow-Kennard building (7) are also of some note. The White building was designed in 1917 by Clarence Blackall's firm, Blackall, Calpp and Whittemore, as commercial office space. plan is based on the U-shane, which had recently been popularized to increase interior light and ventilation. The Bigelow-Kennard Building, built for the esteemed nineteenth century Boston specialty-gift and jewelry store, remained in its original commercial use until recent years. Form No. 10-300a (Kev.
10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONALPARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED MAR 19 1979 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 10 PAGE 1 The Washington Street Theater District is composed of seven buildings which front on Washington Street between Avery Street and West Street. The four lots on thec corner oi Avery street have been excluded tor two reasons. First, the collasol projecting neon sign of the Paramount Theater provides a strong visual boundary, being prominent from as far north on Washington Street as Old South Meetinghouse.
Second is the nature of the lots themselves; #'s 3056 and 4515 are vacant, #4238 is occupied by a four story building whose facade has been completely altered with the exception of its parapet, and #4545 is occupied by a simple five story, 3 bay building which is without theater associations and whichis completely overshadowed by the Paramount. The buildings which occupy lots #4726 and #9626 on West Street have been excluded because they do not front on Washington Street and do not relate to Boston's theatrical history (they are five story Classical Revival and six story modernistic structures respectively). Further the western boundary of the district is defined by the rear lot lines of the structures on Washington Street. Behind the district, and isolating it from the Boston Common is a huge high rise apartment complex occupying lots #11,487 and #16,194.
Across fromthem is a vacant lot. These seven buildings represent a cohesive unti in terms of scale, usage and period which once characterized the commercial/theatrical district of Boston. and contral. - Property Washington Street Pheata Distsiit maso. Working Number 8.9.28.3183 TECHNICAL Photos Maps hspee Comnents/312:OI think this is a group of buildings-not a CONTBOL 1./2. HISTORIAN feel t6+ should logicalls be excluded from this nomenation. pending thise a quastin Weie 1/23/19 eamnEar SuekeT ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN THouGH A CASR CANNOT WATHH THERESL OF THE DIGTRICT BE MAOK FOR INCLUWON Of WGTY IN TERMS OF ASSOCIATION WITH TUEGTRE HATDRY, THERE I5 A RELATIONSHIP IN RRMS OF LR, SCLUN, TOANITECTURA LOUSLITY AND PROVUMITR. AS IS MENTIONED IN THE 3/5/1 VERTER FRDM THE STATE, ADDITONAL MPERAEA IN TUE IMMEDATE AREA ARE ANTICIPATRO.
THOWbI *6 H1 AER NOT STRONLLY CONTRIBUTWE D THK MSSOR SIGRSENESANLE, WEST STREET ARCHEOLOGIST - A VISUL FEND of THE BLOCK. I DO NDT BELIEUEABDRIRSNA FUAVeNKATIRLATON ON INFORMATION WOULO PR VIELD SIGNINLERE RELBONG DO THE THEATRE USK. + AccElT? 3/12/19 OTHER HAER Inventory Review KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 43-79 Send-back Re-submit . Entered MAR 19 1979 United States Department of the Interior - Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service 1113002 90 000 2001 MOUNT AMUSEMENT CENTER GOOI FRIEND M20-47 BEKI 1 WAshiNatON StREEt HEAtER Distriet SuFf5K Conaty #/776 MAR 1 9 1979 #/ Form No. 10-301a (Pev.
10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 DATE ENTERED 1978 MAR 19 1979 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Washington Street Theater District AND/OR COMMON (use for publication) LOCATION _VICINITY OF CITY. TOWN 511-563 Washington Street, Boston PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Leslie Iarson NEGATIVE FILED AT Leslie Iarson, 6 Joy St., Boston MA 02114 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET view facing SE facade of 511-563 Washington St. COUNTY Suffolk STATE Mass. DATE OF PHOTO 1976 PHOTO NO.
1 17C( O&DA Sallings PARAMOUNT 274 PAR OUNF 1E YOU DIG BARETTA ardyn TOUTLOVI RECLOUD rdyhard whardy WAshiNatoN StREet THEAtER D°StRiCt 2 Suffoik Couoty #2874 MAR 1 9 1979 Form No. 10-301a (Pev. 10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 1978 MAR : 9 1979 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Washington Street Theater District AND/OR COMMON (use for publicati on) LOCATION CITY. TOWN Boston - VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Leslie Larson NEGATIVE FILED AT Leslie Iarson, 6 Joy St., Boston MA 02114 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC.
IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET view facing SE facade of Paramount Theater, 559 Washington Street, Boston COUNTY Suffolk STATE Mass. DATE OF PHOTO 1976 PHOTO NO 2 -MUSEMENI CENTER SACK NDAMS JOUSC_ NEW ADAMS HOUSE RESTAURANT 3 WAshiwatoN StREEt THEAtER DiStRiCt SuSFo112 Couuty #3074 MAR 1 9 1979 #3 Form No. 10-301a (Pev. 10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG Y 978 MAR 1 9 1979 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Washington Street Theater District AND/OR COMMON (use forpublication) LOCATION CITY.
TOWN Boston -_VICINITY OF COUNTY Suffolk PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Leslie Larson DATE OF PHOTO NEGATIVE FILED AT Leslie Iarson, 6 Joy Street, Boston MA 02114 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET view facing SE facade of (I-R) 547 Washington Street; Savoy Theater, 537 Washington Street; New Adams House Restaurant, 533 Washington Street STATE Mass. 1976 PHOTO NO. 3 DER N MAYFLOWER ST CON RU LMS UOUS EATRE MAYEL F TR S T DU L T 0 N WER R U N S U OUS ANISH FILMS fireFAMTLY IE ES FINE BROS. 515 WASH. ST. RELIABLE FURS SPACE TO LET WILL DIVIDE LI2-2298 EEFA MURRAYS FURS GOOD WAshiwItON SHREEt THEAtER DistRict Suffoik Courty #4076 MAR 1 9 1979 Form No. 10-301a (Pev.
10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVERUG 9 1978 MAR DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORM TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH 2 3 NAME HISTORIC Washington Street Theater District AND/OR COMMON (use for publication) LOCATION CITY, TOWN VICINITY OF COUNTY Boston Suffolk PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Leslie Larson DATE OF PHOTO 1976 NEGATIVE FILED AT Leslie Larson, 6 Joy Street, Boston MA 02114 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET view facing SE facade of Mayflower Theater (Modern Theater), 525 Washington Street S PH FINE BROS. 515 WASH. ST.
NEW ENGLANO RELIABLE FURS SPACE TO LET WILL DIVIDE L12-2298 Washington TAILOR SHOP MENS ALTERATIONS LADI MURRAYS FURS GOOD FRIEND'S Bent COSMETICS COSMENCS - WEIRY - HANDEACE WAShiNgtON StREEt THEAtER Distert Suffolk County MAR 1 9 1979 Form No. 10-301a (Pev. 10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVEDG 9 19 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FO TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH 2 NAME HISTORIC Washington Street Theater District AND/OR COMMON(use for publication) LOCATION CITY, TOWN _VICINITY OF Boston COUNTY PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Leslie Larson NEGATIVE FILED AT Leslie Iarson, 6 Joy Street, Boston MA 02114 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT.
GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET view facing SE facade of 515 washington Street DATE OF PHOTO Suffolk 1976 skey Finn WAshiNatONSAREEt THEAtER Disteict Suffok Count y # lofle MAR 1 9 1979 Form No. 10-301a (Pev. 10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 1978 MAR 1 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH 4 NAME HISTORIC Washington Street Theater District AND/OR COMMON (use for publication) LOCATION CITY. TOWN Boston -VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Leslie Larson NEGATIVE FILED AT Leslie Larson, 6 Joy St., Boston MA 02114 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.
IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET view facing SE facade of 511 Washington Street COUNTY Suffolk STATE] DATE OF PHOTO 1976 PHOTO NC Sin I enclosi a newspaper artiule frrem 1911-+4 JAY tLmuleny firstopined anda recenet AiP 5t0) Th Washingtua Straet Theatri Distrint is tray Bustons original Thaten Dateiit. Ecolationy tunncéd it into a parm distriet which is nomdend eo dying & thimgs camomly set bettee wefeel that Histaria desigration is extrenly impirtant do fresening tle Sthaters hene_ hanikyan- Sircenly, DA-iD L.A.Lr Dinerta molem THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES DATE RET:D JAN 221979 MD DUME RES" D9F /OTTACHIED, / .#'L A7 T4 a - Cik.-wfu-oi DATE C: M IA: ME 1o 1/30/29 ACM Modern Theater Washington St. Theater Dist Boston, MAss. Auffoek Co.
FR 8.22-78 The Boston Herald American Thursday, June 25, 1914 The Modern Theatre, the latest addition to Boston's list of Éheatres will open this morning. The theatre is at 523 Washington Street, in the very heart of the shopping district fac- 1ing thebusiest part of i the street. It is the most elaborate and cost- ly theatre of its size in New England, and is owned and operated by the Modern Theatre Com- pany, of which J.Lourie's the head. It will be devoted to the exclusive exhibition of the best photo-plays with vocal and musical selections. Ihe front on Washington Street is in the form of a triumphal arch, construc- ted entirely of cream white and elaborately carved Vermontmarble. A high marble dado around the vestibule is carried out in a selected shade. of Italian Tavernelic marble.
The parquet has a high dado of dark, rich mahagony, and the floor slopes toward the stage so as to give a perfect view from every seat. The general character of the interior is Flor- entine renaissance. The walls are covered with a rich imitation of natique tapestry, and the general effect is of dark Circassian walnut and mahogany, with decorations in shades of dull gold, brown and green. Quaint old gold elctric fixtures support the lights. The screen for moving pictures is fixed on the back wall of the stage and treated in aluminium. The finish of the stage suggest an alcove in an elaborate, sumptuous, private home. At the rear of the stage on one side are numerous dressing rooms and storerooms. Beneath the stage, in a specially constructed fireproof en- closure, is the boiler room, entirely cut off from the rest of the building.
In the center of the musicians' space in front of the stage is a large console, -from which the Estey organ is to be operated. The organ is one of the best installed in any theatre in this country.. The acoustics have been care- fully supervised by Dean Wallace C: Sabine of Harvard. A most elaborate system of heating and cooling has been installed. An artesian well has been driven to a depth of nearly six hundred feet below the street level and a supply of over 100 gallons per minute of fresh, cold water has been obtained. This water will . be pumped to the surface and used to cool and wash the air which in winter time will be reheated and sent by means of fans to all parts of the house. In warm weather the air will be cooled in such a manner that the temperature can be maintained at 70 degrees even in the hottest weather outside.
:Powerful ex- haust fans are also iustalled which remove the air from the .auditorium. The amount of exit space in the theatre is 60% in excess of the max- imum width required by the building law for a theatre of this size. The theatre has been con- structed from the plans and under the supervision of C.H.Blackall. It has a seating capacity of nearly 800. *Article reprinted from the Boston Herald, the day the Modern Theatre opened, June 25th, 1914. WWLowGRaE. MONT PEUER. MOSHINGTON STRSEROT THHEATRE DISTRKT - AGIEK WITH DRLMP ON POITS RAIBRD. WHST IS NEEDEED IS A BOLASAARN JUSTAIGTON ANO A STATEMEWT, "UHY THESR BULORES TOTHE OLTRACI CONSTITUTE A DISTRICT AS OPPOSRD TO DTHERS ADJACENT TAE SAWE TPPE. *1 GIVES IM A DESCRIPTION OA THE BENERSE ENVIRONMENT IN THE AREA BUT DOES NOT ADDRESE PROPERTIES MMEDIATEL ADJACENT. I.
WHY WAS THE BIROW-KENNARD BULLDINE INCLUDKO AND THE DTVEER ADJACENT BILDINES TO TVE WVORTH AND SOUTH EXCLUDRD? EXPUCIT - THE POSDERRE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANEK SHOULD ADDRESS ARCHITELTHRAL , SIGNIMCANCE OE BOTU THE FRTEMOR EACADES AND IINTERIORS. Mse Douse /23 THOSE DF Boston Redevelopment Authority Robert F. Walsh, Director February 22, 1978 To Whom It May Concern: Che concept set forth by David Archer and his associates for he Modern Theatre is compatible with the long-range planning objectives of the City of Boston. A theatre complex in this area of the city could support the city's efforts to revitalize Washington Street by development of Lafayette Place on the site of the former R. H. White property. The Modern Theatre proposal is also in keeping with the BRA and city's efforts to strengthen and upgrade Boston as a theatre center.
It is also significant to us that the proposed Modern Theatre could bring new life to a building that is not now in use. Members of my staff have reviewed the Modern Theatre proposal and I have instructed them to report back to me on the progress of this project so that the Modern Theatre plan can be coordinated with city and BRA actions in that part of our downtown. Sincerely, ThetWall Robert Walsh Director 1 City Hall Square Bostori, Massachusetts 02201 (617) 722-4300 Tuesday, June 14, 1977 THE CHRISTIAN. SCIENCE MONITOR Modern-Mayflower-Modern David Archer plans arts center for old theater By Nora E. Taylor acoustics are superb, Mr. Archer says. There Once it was known as Modern. And it will be is the white painted wall back of the small the Modern again, maybe by fall or even stage, which was the original screen for mo- spring of next year.
Already the name Modern tion pictures when films were young and still Theatre, carved into the light sandstone facade experimental. The proscenium's wooden frame has been uncovered, as a first step toward re- is painted in Chinese red - a fact that becomes habilitation. But most will remember it as the apparent as the eye gets used to the dim movie Mayflower moviehouse down on Washington lighting. Above the proscenium, carving is vis- Street opposite the Lafayette project (a park- ible, apparently of angels or cherubs cavorting ing lot at the moment). across the house. And the balcony's edges The Modern has been taken over by a vision- sport richly carved scrolls. On some of the ary young man - Boston seems to throw them staircases leading upstairs there still is floral up every few years (remember David Wheeler carpeting, mute reminder of earlier luxury.
and the nationally known Theater Company of For Mr. Archer plans to cut down the seat- Boston?) - whose name is David L. Archer. ing somewhat in order to make room for a He plans to run the theater as a new per- larger thrust stage, and to bring Off-Broadway forming arts facility for our city. productions to the Modern, as well as to house Mr. Archer has Lived in Boston for 10 years, future editions of his Theater Festival (which most recently being managing director of last year was at the Boston Center for the Arts Stage I Theatre Lab and the Caravan Theatre. on Tremont Street). Dressing rooms already He was director of development for Theatre exist. Workshop Boston, and is on the national advi. sory board of the New Theater Festival Balti- Above the auditorium are three more floors, more 11.
which will house (indeed already house) of- Last year he produced a Spring Theater Fes- fices, two experimental 100-seat theaters, a tival Boston. Now he hopes to expand the The- workshop and rehearsal studios, a gallery, a darkroom, graphic arts and recording studios, ater Festival of 1976 into a year-round oper- ation which would bring experimental and Off- plus a residence for visiting artists. The top- Broadway-type shows to this city. He would most floor, Mir. Archer expiains, is set back somewhat from the rest of the building and is also add other performing and fine arts, since surrounded on all sides by huge windows - his building has plenty of space. ideal-for artists. Step through the boarded-up door of the Modern and you are faced with the inevitable Work on air conditioning and the elevator is chaos caused by construction. But, after hur- under way.
The tirst step in reconditioning is dling wires and cabinets and bits of glass you to make only the necessary changes, and that are into the theater itself. Mr. Archer feels, will cost $50,000. He expects The narrow, long auditorium, seating about eventually to spend about $100,000 om reeova- 700 at the moment, with a balcony that rises tions, and is busily fund-raising. He is bringing tier by tier to the soaring celling four floors in experts in stage desigu and other necessities above street level, has its points of interest. so that he and his board can choome the best Not least among them is the fact that the options for the Modern. ACTPAM PAUL GUZZI Jorretary of the Commonwealth The Commonvealih of Massachusetts Office of the Pecretary Massachusells Historical Commission 291 Washinglon Slree Boston, Massachuselts 02108 (617)727-8470 July 28, 1978 miley Mr.
Charles Herrington, Chief RECEIVED Registration Branch National Register OAHP, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service Washington, D.C. 20240 AUG 9 1978 NATIONAL REGISTER Dear Mr. Herrington: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Boston - Washington Street Theatre District Clinton - Bigelow Carpet Mill Northampton - Pomeroy Terrace All of the above have been voted eligible by the State Review Board, and signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Sincerely yours, Chisthie Bowsding Christine Boulding Acting Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission CB/CJ/1h Encls. MENT OF THE INTERIO United States Department of the Interior HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 March 3.
1849 IN REPLY REFER TO: H32-NR AUG 3 0 1978 Dear Property Owner: The property you own is located in a historic district that has been nominated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the government's official list of historic buildings and other cultural resources worthy of being preserved. This nomination is pending in our office. If your property is listed in the National Register, there are certain benefits and provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 that may apply to you. We are enclosing information about this law. Soon we will be considering whether your property should be listed, using as our guidelines the "Criteria for Evaluation" shown in the enclosed leaflet. If you wish to comment on whether your property should be listed, we would be pleased to hear from you. Send your comments within 30 days of the date of this letter to me, Dr.
William J. Murtagh, Keeper of the National Register, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, Depart- ment of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. If you have questions about the National Register program or the enclosed material, you should also address them to me. Please include the name of the district (as shown on the address label on this letter) and property address. In the enclosed material you will note references to standards for rehabilitating old buildings. These standards are a list of dos and don'ts for people who are fixing up old buildings. If the owner of a building listed in the National Register, either individually or as part of a district, wishes to take advantage of the Tax Reform Act benefits, these standards must be followed.
A copy of these standards is available from ervation, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. Questions about the standards should also be addressed to that same office. Sincerely Keeper of the National egister The Bigelow Trust 511 Washington St. Boston, MA 02111 Re: Washington Street Theater District MENT OF THE March 3. 1849 IN REPLY REFER TO: H32-NR United States Department of the Interior HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 AUG 3 0 1978 Dear Property Owner: The property you own is located in a historic district that has been nominated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the government's official list of historic buildings and other cultural resources worthy of being preserved. This nomination is pending in our office.
If your property is listed in the National Register, there are certain benefits and provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 that may apply to you. We are enclosing information about this law. Soon we will be considering whether your property should be listed, using as our guidelines the "Criteria for Evaluation" shown in the enclosed leaflet. If you wish to comment on whether your property should be listed, we would be pleased to hear from you. Send your comments within 30 days of the date of this letter to me, Dr. William J. Murtagh, Keeper of the National Register, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, Depart- ment of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. If you have questions about the National Register program or the enclosed material, you should also address them to me.
Please include the name of the district (as shown on the address label on this letter) and property address. In the enclosed material you will note references to standards for rehabilitating old buildings. These standards are a list of dos and don'ts for people who are fixing up old buildings. If the owner of a building listed in the National Register, either individually or as part of a district, wishes to take advantage of the Tax Reform Act benefits, these standards must be followed. A copy of these standards is available from Technical Preservation Services, Office of Archeology and Historic Pres- ervation, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. Questions about the standards should also be addressed to that same office. Sincerely iluan Atmale e Keeper of the National Fegister Paramount Theater A. H. Realty Co.
559 Washington St. Boston, MA 02111 Re: Washington Street Theater District FR8-22-78 TRUSTEES KEVIN H. WHITE, MAYOR Chairman PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL AUDITOR, CITY OF BOSTON PRESIDENT, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT, BAR ASSOCIATION dity uf fhastan NORMA FINE Manager CITY HALL BOSTON, MASS. 02201 725-4507 725-4528 ROSRNTA Benrge Rabert Ahite Hund September 6, 1978 Dr. William J. Murtagh Keeper of the National Register Hertage Conservation and Recreation Service Department of Interior washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Dr. Murtagh: In response to your letter of August 30th, 1978, I firmly agree that 515 Washington Street building located in the historical Washington Street Theatre District should be nominated for listing in the National Register. The Theatre District is currently in the process of re- habilitation and restoration with open malls and pedestrian walks to be formulated in the plan.
The building on Washington Street is pivotal to that historic restoration. I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you in advance for your attention to the above matter. Sincerely, Pame &Fwe rma L. Manager George Robert White Fund NLF/JE THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES DATE REC'D SEP 1 ü 1978 TDUAL RESPONSE (ATTACHED) IFORMATIVE MATERIAL SENT TELErAONE CALL SEP 279498 DATE ACTIUN TAKEN INITIALS MV FR8-22-78 MRS. DAVID K. SMITH 649 BOSTON POST ROAD WESTON, MASS. 02193 :P9.12 9/22/18 To Whom It May Concer: I understand that Boston's Washiugton St. theater district has been nominated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. it be indudes recommend thar in the register. Ureat effots are currently being made, (Boston Globe antide enelosed) to bring the theater districk. back * whar it was - anaeven better.
With attraetive pluysical facilities and particlany with an emphash on sasery, so thar seople mill teel combortable and sale and theretere willing to patronize Boston's theaters, there is a great chance that. Boston can retun to the foretrant. as one of the freat "theater cities". Joston has manu lovely ole theaters which need to berestored to be appreciated now, and for generations to come. As a teen-ager in Boston inthe 'So's, I had a love affair with the theater. We now haveteanagers of our own with that same love - yer, because q the squalor in our theater aistricr, They cannor ge There sately by themseles and we teates as oftenas we world like to. Restoration of Boston's theaten districr is long overdue. sincerey, Namey B.
Smith Boston Globe, 9/8/78 2 hired to aid theater district By Kevin Kelly Globe Staff In the ongoing $250 million renovation of Boston's theater district, Mayor Kevin H. White yes- terdayannouneed the appointment of two new consultants, Benjamin Thompson, an architect who heads his own company, and Sehyler Chapin, a Co- Jumbia University dean. Thompson, at a fee of $30,000, will be in charge of a master plan for the the- ater district.
Chapin, at $25,000, will be a "liaison for local theater managers." At the City Hall press conference, White re- marked that Boston "used to be the third theater city in the country and it's now number five." Enthusias- tie but shy with specifies, the mayor pledged to re- store the five-block area - which contains the Colo- nial, the Wilbur, the Shubert, the Music Hall, the Charles Playhouse - so the city can "claim its place among the great theater cities in the country." **Beston has made a remarkable comeback in re- cent years, certainly since the dark period of the '70s. And we want to continue that trend in the theater district.
With the addition of Ben Thompson and Schyler Chapin to our plans, I think we can bring Boston back so that it ranks first or second among the major theater centers." White then praised Thomp- son, who designed the Quincy Market Project, and Chapin, who formerly worked with the Metropolitan Opera Company. Thompson was present at the con- ferenee, Chapin was not. When questioned about the fate of the Wilbur Theater, White admitted "the Wilbur probably is the most critical immediate problem we have." The Wilbur, built in 1914, is owned by New En- gland Medical Center and is currently leased by the Jujameyn Corp., which owns the Colonial. The lease expires in August 1979 and Jujameyn has said it does not intend to renew it. Which leaves the Wilbur, a good, intimate, acoustically fine house, in a somewhat precarious position.
White said he is hesitant to get into the theater business, but indicated the city "will make an effort, an effort that's fair, to try to adjust the enormous losses the Wilbur has got." He said, fur- ther, that he would try to work out a "tax agreement" between the Wilbur and the city. /In the meantime, the theater district continues to be improved. New lights have been installed, streets have been resurfaced and there has been some landscaping. White envisions the area under a plexi canopy, similar to the bubble eeiling flanking the sides of Quincy Market, but he said that Thompson would be the final arbiter on such a plan. White sees the distriet in a mall-like atmosphere, with free- roaming theatergoers unimpeded by automobile traf- Benjamin Thompson who will supervise master plan. fic. He mentioned a new hotel and a restaurant.
He referred to the Mechanic Theater in Baltimore and how "a consultant" (Broadway producer Alexander H. Cohen) turned it into a going enterprise. He said that the possibility of a "repertory company" using the Wilbur (an idea developed earlier between White and Robert Brustein, former dean of the Yale School of Drama) was now not likely: "We'll try to keep the Wilbur commercial." White ended the conference by stating that it will take a combined community effort, by everyone, "to put the theater district back on the map." M. Prendle te get sae up t date adduess I suneer tor hackingte st.
Theat duluel auenes Bgu Buie Lelmch TELEPHONE l REPORT OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT: To/FROM: ADDRESS: DATE: PHONE: STAFF MEMBER: DIVISION: REPORT: LELEPHONE REPORI OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT: Nashgtim strut Theate dut To/FROM: Andy enflen DATE: 1 2/8/18 ADDRESS: SHPO PHONE::617-727-8470 STAFF MEMBER: ayur DIVISION: REPORT: sew aodns for 547 mask st. Trepte 2 Realty Trurt 175- Tremont st- Boston, mase 559 nash. At. c/0 Curpenter 59 Temple Pl. Bosten, mass nomentm wiie he peluenen REPOR OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT: Nachenghon Sheet Yente deat To/FRoM:i& Packer Prenale DATE: 12/11/78 ADDRESS: Seu fsta Drenkte Prome(: 67) 742-400d STAFF MEMBER: DIVISION: REPORT: He: mayploe theale Neme changee te Modunsheater 523 Naskingln Rt. Bostm, mass.
dat nalfui Cardy Jenkan LANN PAUL GUZZI Secretary of the Commonucalth The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Massachuselts Historical Commission 294 Nashinglon Stree Boston, Massachuselts 02108 (617)727-8470 EILPI1S RECEIVED JAN 8 1979 NATIONAL REGISTER December 13, 1978 Mr. William Murtagh Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Attn: Dolores Byers Dear Mr. Murtagh: Enclosed is the nomination form for the Washington Street Threater District which was returned to our office on December 4. New addresses have been provided for sheet). I would suggest that you contact our office for any additional documentation required in National Register nominations rather than relying on outside parties.
We have and will continue to provide you with such information as quickly as possible. Sincerely, Candace Jenkins Candace Jenkins National Register Coordinator Massachusetts Historical Commission CJ/ts enclosure XANE OF PROPERTY Washungton St. Hist. Dist STATE MA Date Information Requested/Date Put in "Hold" Drawer: 12) 2/23 Date to Be Pulled from "Hold" Drawer: 3/23 (30 Days from Date Requested) Information Requested From: Jenkins /Mc Donough Information Requested/Reason Nomination Is Being Held: Orchitecheral sigificanee o interiont exteniona O stronger jundification o Distict. Discursio y surroundiig.
novd 3-12-79 rulny (Ma Douyel TELEPHONE REPORT OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT: WASHINGTON STRHIET TLA THEATRE HISTORK DISTILLLT TO/ERBOT: CANOM JANKINS JUDU IL DRNRAt DATE: T/23/39 1/24/29 ADDRESS: MASS SABD / BOSTON LANPMARKS COMMISIIONE: STAFF MEMBER: Ms TouiAL DIVISION: N.R. REPORT: LSPOKE WIRH BOTI SEPANATELY BUT ON PAE SALUA TOPIES) 1/23/19 TAEY WANTED TO Sie If THSRK WA ANY WAY AROUND THE 30 DAY HOUD FOR AL 1 PROPERTY QUNEHS. AHTAL DISOUSEINE It WITH AN HANSLIN I CONFRARO THAT WE WOILD HAVE TO WAIT fOR BO DAS ON AUL 1, THoWt IN ACTuSLITY 3 PROPALTY EUNERS HAD ALREADY COMMENTED. I TOLD YHEM THAT I WOULD VET THEM KHOW IF WE HAD ANY PROBCHUS WITH THE NOMINATION. 1/24/19 1/23/19 1 ASKEO QUESTONS RAISER BY ORELUP'S AND MM REVIELO. THtEM WILL GENO ON CONTINUATTON SAEEES. JHOY AUSo WARNED TUAE JOTFIED JANIG.
THRKK OF THE PROPELTY HUNKRS 1WERt DO LONGFRR PROPERTY DUNERS. SHE WIL SEND PHE NEW NANEES AS SOONAS SAE HA THEL. THEK MAY ATTEMPT TO SENO THEM WAIUER LOITEAS. * (SDas wIL eAu THEM ABOn THE FORM). MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State March 5, 1979 Charles Herrington, Chief National Register Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation 440 G Street, NW. Washington, D.C. 20243 Attn: Bruce McDougal Dear Bruce: Enclosed is a boundary justification and a revised statement of significance for Washington Street Theater District in Boston. While the significance statement repeats some of the material already submitted, I thought it best to submit the narrative as is in the interest of clarity.
You will note that it corrects one mistake noted in the original form. The present R.K.O. Keith Memorial designed by Thomas Lamb which stands behind the Savoy (#4) is not the B.F. Keith Theater which was designed by J.B. McElfatrick. The later was razed sometime during the twentieth century. As I have mentioned, we plan to submit a multiple resource nomination for the entire Theater District, which will put this more in perspective but the need for tax incentives and theimpact of Lafayette Placemake it important toproceed with this area now. Also enclosed is a verbal boundary description for the Blackinton houses in Attleboro. Please give me a call if you have any questions. See you in April!
Sincerely, Candel Candace Jenkins National Register Coordinator Massachusetts Historical Commission CJ/ts enclosures THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF M.STORIC PLACES DAIE REC'D MAR 09 1979 INDIVIDUAL RESP NSE (ATTACHED: INFRA TIVE MERERAL BENT TLLEPHONE CALL (ATTACHED) D. TE ACIUN TAKEN INITIALS ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered MAR | 9 1979 Name Washington Street Theater District Location Parting Ways Archeological District Boston Suffolk County Plymouth County Also Notified Honorable Paul G. Isongas Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Gerry E. Studds Honorable John J. Moakley State Historic Preservation Officer Mrs. Patricia L. Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Cormission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 NR Byers/bjr 3/20/79 For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-6401.
10 Ühr Enening (bazettr Worcester, Thurs., Aug. 3, 1978 From Skin Flicks to Opera? Theater to Be Transformed By JOHN J. MULLINS himself and colleagues involved with the Modern. BOSTON (AP) - From the guts of his seven-story He says it rather regretfully. He would rather be Modern Theater, lately a skin-flick palace, David producing shows and exhibiting art. Archer envisions the area linking the Faneuil Hall The theater is getting some such use - an artist marketplace and the Boylston-Tremont Streets the- has a studio there, a band rehearses in another ater district. area, and the Helium Mime Show is in residence. Archer and associates plan to renovate the the- "Very little European theater gets to Boston at ater for plays, opera, films, jazz concerts and other all," he said.
So this summer, he and other theater operators formed a seven-theater circuit for Euro- The building is on the edge of the Combat Zone, pean producers to show their plays. the city's adult entertainment district, in a three- The Modern will serve as booking agent. The theater block scheduled to be designated a National other theaters are in New York, Philadelphia, Pitts- Register Historic Landmark District. burgh, Baltimore, Washington and San Francisco. "It could be a buffer zone," Archer said of the Brussels Group block. He expects there always will be an adult en- tertainment distriet but thinks it could be cleaner. If the Modern's planned 700-seat main theater is open, the Le Plan K theater group from Brussels, He thinks beyond that. "This used to be the Great White Way of Boston, Archer says of Washington Belgium, will perform there in December.
Coming the same month or next April will be Street at his front door. He wants to turn the strip into an arts-oriented neighborhood. playwright Edward Albee directing eight of his own plays with the Modern as producer. If Albee comes Lafayette Place Planned in December, the plays will be given at the Wilbur The Lafayette Place development is planned for or Shubert theaters, Archer said. across the street, and part of Washington Street is The Albee visit will be the first in a planned annu- earmarked to become a pedestrian mall. Archer al "Masters series," with the master artists show- sees live performances on what now often is a car- ing their own works and conducting workshops. clogged street and theatergoers walking to the area In addition to the main theater, which will require after eating near Faneuil Hall.
extending the existing stage and making other reno- Two doors from the Modern is the Savoy, where vations, Archer plans a 250-seat theater for experi- George M. Cohan performed and which the Opera mental plays and the development of works-in-prog- Company of Boston is studying as a future home. ress by local playwrights. The owner of the Paramount, just beyond, wants to "You see very little Boston products leaving have dance and "big band" programs. town," Archer said, but he envisions developing lo- In the next block is the State, where Archer said cal plays in the small theater, moving them to the Sarah Bernhardt performed. main theater and then perhaps to a larger Boston *There is a lot of historie stuff people are una- house and on to New York.
ware of," Archer said, and he's considering turning The Modern's main theater takes up four of the the lobby of the Modern into a theater district seven stories of the bulding that was constructed as memento gallery. a warehouse in 1874. The theater became one of the Neighborhood Association nation's first silent movie houses in 1914. Taking the approach that the success of any one Blackall Design such project is contingent on revitalization of the It was designed by Charles H. Blackall, who also entire area, Archer and others have formed the designed the Wilbur, Music Hall, Shubert and Gary. Lower Washington Street Neighborhood Association The acoustics were supervised by Wallace to work for that. Sabine, who also designed the acoustics at Sympho- "We are developers at this point," Archer says of ny Hall. Form No. 10-301 (Rev.
10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED AUG 9 1978 MAR 1 9 1979 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 1 2 3 NAME HISTORIC Washington Street Theater District AND/OR COMMON (use for publication) LOCATION CITY. TOWN Boston VICINITY OF COUNTY Suffolk MAP REFERENCE SOURCE Topographical and Planimetric Map, Boston Redevelopment Authority, Boston, Mass. SCALE 1 inch:100 feet DATE 1965 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES STATEMasS - INT: 3464-75 U.S. 4184 DEPARTMENT 12 10 38 363a 00 STATE 8200 WEST 30 28 36 4475 11404 18,194 STRÉE 4726 9676 7286 6069 2548 20791- 21104 1440 1364 853/ 1730 STREET 5135 499 497-493 509 507 503 501 382 490 386 11,78> R.K.O.
KEITH MEMORIAL STREET 69/ 166 1576 1925 3262 1961 1825 1859 1903 MASON ST 2168 1310 AVERY SON 5962 THEATRE MAYELOWER5 HARLAEM THEATRE 32,757 PLACE 3685 4 3 6 1988 2882 BEDFORD 2935 3300 MASON PARKING AREA /,484 S1 9515 2 13,116 PARAMOUNT I THEATRE 16,685 3449 AVERY STREE- 2684 2552 1840 851 NORFOLK 29,588 34.756 4545 4328 4575 3056 PL CITY OF BOSTON CHICKERING PARKING AREA 6/34 HAYWARD PLACE PARKING GARAGE 49/7 140 740 -1125 .92 D ASTOR 2645 THEATRE 14,225 m STREET 7R 015 5625 5811 CFAYETTE PL. 597 HAYWARD CT. 4160 21 48,998 WASHINGTON -ESSEX BLDG 7059 5803 109 609 6650 IEAAA WASHINGTON STREET THEATRE DISTRICT 511-563 Washington St. Boston, Massachusetts Scale: 1" = 100' UTM References: 19/330110/4690920 1. Paramount Theatre 2. Adams House Annex 3. Savoy Theatre 4 New Adams House Restaurant 5. Mayflower Theatre 6. White Building 7.
Bigelow Kennard Building NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET DNAME as it appears on federal register: 4 county code: Washington Street Theater District 5LOCATION street & number city / town vieinity of state county 511--559 Washington St. Boston MA MAR 1 9 1979 6NPS REGION: N Atlantic 025 OWNER XIPRIVATE OSTATE OMUNICIPAL COUNTY MULTIPLE FEDERAL (agency name) 9EXISTING SURVEYS CHABS [HAER JNHL10FUNDED? CYES -NO 1)CONGRESS.
DISTRICT (12)SOURCE of NOMINATION EGISTER HISTORIG DISTRIETT MATIOMAL HISTORIG LANDMARK NCREAGE BLYES MAME 1CONDITION Dexcellent Ogood Ofair - deteriorated Oruins Dunexposed Ounexcavated Oaltered Ooriginal site 17) features: Ounaltered Omoved Dreconstructed Ounknown Dexcavated BACCESS OYES-Restricted DYES -Unrestricted - No Access (19) ADAPTIVE USE 21 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : DENGINEERING -11 -ARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 - COMMERCE-6 CSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 QONOT INTACT-O UNKNOWN-4 20 NOT APPLICABLE-7 DYES ONO SAVED? DYES - POLITICS/ GOVT.- 21 -RECREATION -28 C RELIGION- 22 - SETTLEMENT-29 - SCIENCE- 23 - URBAN PLANMING-31 - SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24 DOTHER (SPECIFY) - SOCIAL / CULTURAL- 30 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 Suffolk 8ADMINISTRATOR : -STATE -FEDERAL if state who prepared form?
-LOCAL -PRIVATE ORGANIZATION OOSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-2 2CSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT -3 EO NOT INTACT-O OONOT INTACT - O MUNKNOWN-5 5O UNKNOWN-6 WO NOT APPLICABLE-8 MO NOT APPLICABLE - 9 IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?
DyesOno @CLAIMS: explain 'first'D -ENTERTAINMENT-26 -ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 DEXPLORATION -12 -AGRICULTURE-3 - CONSERVATION - 8 - HEALTH-27 - ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS-9 - INDUSTRY- 13 C ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 - INVENTION - 14 - Unknown L LANDSCAPE ARCH.-15 - LAW-16 - LITERATURE - 17 C MILITARY- 18 - MUSIC - 19 PHILOSOPHY - 20 'oldest' O 'only' D 8 functions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: CURRENTLY: architectural style(s): dates of initial construction: major alterations : historic events: ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION architeet: amaster builder: engineer: landscape architect / garden designer: ") interior decorator: artist: artisan: builder/contractor: NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EVENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP eviewers initials_ date IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE
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