-
torni 10-300
Dec. 19o8UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
F’lATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESINVENTORY - NOMIttATION
FORM
Type all entries - completeapplicable sections
STA TE:
Rhode IslandCoUNTY,
ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY
ENTRY NUMBER DATE
i::.1..i..:.1iH :::..:.:COMMON
Triritv Square Repertory TheatreAND/OR RISTORIC:
?1ajestic Theatre . .. .Loc.tTIoN ., .t. :.
STREET AND NUMBERI -
201 Washington StreetCITY OR TOWN:
- ProvidenceSTATE
. CODE COUNTY:
- Rhode Island . 1 . ProvidenceCODE
007{3T CLASSIFICATION - -
CATEGORY
Check One- OWNERSHIP . STATUS
ACCESSIBLE
To THE PUBLIC
District Building QSite ] Structure El
Objoc,
Public J Public Acquisition: -Pri vote In Process ElBoth Boing
Considered El
-
Occtpied Yes: in futurUnoccupied El RestriCted IXiProsorvotion
work Unrestricted El
in rooross El No:
er; EN 1 US C Chock Uric or Morons Appropriuro-
Agrculturol Government - El Park El Transportation Comments
ElCommerc iol El Industrial : Private Residence El Other Specify
ElEducational El Military El Religious El
nt.rto ‘in, crtt CX Muse uni El Sc ic it file El1. OWNER OF
PROPERTY . . ., . . . :. .
OWNERS NAME:
Trinity Squaz Repertory TheatreSTReET AND NUMBER:
37 WeybossetStreetc:rv Ott TOWN:
ProvidenceOL T!O NO F LEGALDE SCR IPT ION
___________
JCOURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS. Etc
City HallSTREET AND NUMOER:
Dorrance Street at Washington StreetOR TOWN
Prc,videnceAPPR0X:MATE ACREAGE OC NOMINATED PROPERTY: Less
6. R:PRESFN-rATI0N IN EXISTING SURVEYSHi TLE OF SURVEY: -
Not so representedDATE OF SURVEY: FeDEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY
RECORDS:
STREET AND NUMBER:
CITY OR TOWN: STATE:
1
‘In
-r
C
F-
L
=1
1
F
‘An
-r
STATE:
STATE
Rhode Island,than one acre
02
110
z-CcmCInni0zr-c
-
CONDITION.. Chock One
- Excellont El Good Fair El Dotoriorotod El Ruins El Unoxposed
ElChock One Chock One
INTEGRITYAltered Unoltored El Mv El Original Site
DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL it known PHYSICAL
APPEARANCE
This building, the former Majestic Theatre, was designed for
theEmery AmusementCompany by William B. Walker& Sons, a
prolific andlong-standing Providence firm, and completed in 1916 at
a cost of5oo,oooor more. A large free-standing structure 120by 180
feetbuilt on a steel frame, it is trapezoidal in form a fact
disguised bycanted front corners, and -flat-roofed, with the
stage-loft at the northrising higher than the rest of the building.
Its bulk is given specialprominenceby the open traffic areas
surrounding it.
The main, or entrance,façade, facing south, is treated
lavishlyand carried for a short distanceSaround the canted front
corners; itgives an impression of four storeys nlus an attic in the
frieze. Thisnortion of the huildincz, prefacing the auditorium, is
given an eclecticRenaissancetreatment characteristic of the
Beaux-Arts style pot1ar inthe first decadesof this century and
employed for public buildings inparticular. White terra-cotta with
accents in green and gold has beenused to face the entire façade,
and it is important to note that, in accord with standard
terra-cotta practice, the architectural embellishrer-tt -is built
up of architectural details cast in units as stock patterns.This
kind of modular systemwith its use of cast parts introduces an
inItrently repetitive aspect into the design and explains the
somewhatsterile--in spite of its elaboration--character of the
whole composition.
Seven equal bays wide counting the openings in the canted
corners, athe façade is dominated by a central arched recess that
rises threestoreys from sidewalk to entab]ature and is finished
with a wide, ornamentally-moulded inner enframementand surmountedby
a cartouche. Thelower level in the recesscontains the main
entrance; the upper part isfilled by a large,
prorninently-mullioned, tripartite plate glass windowdivided
horizontally by tucco bandings at the floor or landing levels.At
street level, the original ornate metal and glass marquises have
nowbeen replaced by a metal canopy-curi-announcementboard, and
marquisesabove corner shop-entranceshave gone. On either side of
the centralarch are windows on two storey-levels, and in the
outermost bays are tallwindows indicative of four
storey-levels--all of these having a varietyof
ornamentalenframements. Acrossthe top of the façade runs an
architrave band with a panelled frieze containing the name of the
theatreabove it. Above the frieze is an elaborate arched corbel
table supporting a narrow, embossedband of cornice. A panelled and
balustradedparapet surmounts the cornice. The theatre’s front
exhibits a greatvariety of cast ceramic detail some of it
coloured--mouldings, roundand diamond-shapedbosses,. swags,
cartouches, foliation, relief panels,pedirnents etc.
Festivetcternal decoration is, however, confined to the front
ofthe building, and its side and rear are of buff brick with the
nearly
See Continuation Sheet. -N
-
* Fern lO.DOaJvly 1969
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK
SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM
Continuation Sheet-l
STATE
Rhode IslandCOUNTY
ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY
ENTRYNUMBER DATE
Number SI’ entries
7. Description.
blank expansesabove the ground storey divided into Itbaysti by
narrow rusticated piers; on these elevations the few openings are
there by necessityonly and are unadorned, irregularly spaced. A
plain one-storey extensionat the north or rear of the theatre
contains some retail shops.
Entering through the central doors at the south, which have
stained-glass transoms, one is in a 3O-hy-5O-foot lobby with a
tesselated floor andmarble baseboard, plastered walls,a
compartmentedceiling and elaborateplaster cornice treatment.. Wide
semi-elliptical archways flanked by panelled Ionic pilasters open
at left and right to stair-halls; doors along therear open to the
orchestra level of the auditorium. In the centre of theceiling is a
large oval opening--with elaborate internal cornice
treatment--looking to the upper lobby and a domed skylight of
stained glass.
The lateral stair-hails are panelled in three colours of Italian
-marble and have exit doors with stained-glass transoms; thestairs
themselves are also of marble and have elaborate bronze and
wrought-iron rails;decorative bronze grilles cover heating: vents
in the walls; and walls andceiling are separatedby a full classical
entablature in. plaster.
The chief remaining display of grandeur in the building to-day,
however, is the upper lobby, or foyer to the loges and gallery. Of
the samedimensions as the entrance lobby, it has a wide stretch of
tall windows nodoubt originally heavily valanced and draped on its
south 5ide, doors tothe auditorium along its north side and wide
openings from the stair-hallsat either end. Plaster walls above a
marble baseboardhave pilasters ofadaptive Tuscan form with stopped
fluting and pendant ornamentation in theupper part of the fluting.
The ceiling is compartmented,and a classicalcornice with
egg-and-dart motifand dentils is used around the room andwithin the
compartments. The showpiece here is the central rotunda actually
oval opening which looks into the entrance lobby below.
Eightplaster columns again with stopped fluting ‘and pendant
ornament of theComposite order appear to support the stained-glass
"dome" capping thisorening and artificially lit from above, and
betweenthem, insevensections, runs ahighly ornate
marble-cappedbronze grille or rail. Withinthe base of the "dome"
there is an elaborate plaster entablature treatment
-with modillions, an embossedfrieze punctuated by garlands etc.
Gildinghas been liberally used in all this adornnent; and there are
gilt scrolledbrackets in the angles of the chief recessesand
openings of this lobby,pendant lamps with gilt-bronze frames
incorporating masks, garlands, tassels and milk-glass in the corner
compartments of the ceiling.
Beyond the north-east and north-west corners of this lobby,
plainenclosed stairways lead to the upper-gallery level, where a
frontal cross-hall has an arched window grouping partially filled
by stained glass.
See Continuation Sheet 2.
1’.
H.
I
N
GPO 901.082
-
Form lOJOOo UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE- uy
1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island
-
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HiSTORIC PLACES COUNTY -Providence
INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM -FOR NPS USE ONLY,
- - ENTRY NUMBER I DATE* Continuation Shec-t-2.
- _________
Number cli entries
7. Description.
The auditorium and spreading proscenium continued thetheme of
lavishddcor. Put since this area has now been stripped and is to be
completelyrebuilt not restored, only brief quoted description, from
The Providence Magazine of April, 1917, will be given of its past
grandeur:
The auditorium, having a seating capacity of 14100 people,is
wainscoted in Italian and Turkish marbles. The walls arehung with
silk tapestries. The balcony seats 1,600. The stageis 80 feet deep
and 35 feet wide. . ... In addition to theusual stage boxes, there
are loges in front of the balcorw andon the main floor from the
boxes to the back wall.
There was also a vast amount of other moulded, painted and gilt
plasterpanel and relief decoration. -
8. Significance.
could revel in the halls and lobbies with their marbles,
columns, balustrades and carpeting and in the gilt, colours and
velvet in the auditorium.
For these reasons,this building occupies a particular place
inAmerican architectural history. But in itself, it is a good
building,visually pleasing; and it is a late product of a prominent
local finn ofarchitect-partners whose adjustments instyle, through
some eight decadesand three generations, is interesting. It should
also be noted for itsuse of terra-cotta facing and trim--much
promoted by its manufacturersandby architectural publications c-
1895-1920 in place of carved stone. Thatmaterial was flexible and
adaptableand quite economically could imitatethe carving for which
workers were becoming less available. This is oneof the very few
terra-cotta façades in downtown Providence.
With the coming of television, drive-in theatres and intimate
cinemas,this building came to outlive -its original use and
profitability. Now, theTrinity SquareRepertory Theatre, which has
become internationally knownand was in need of a permanentbase and
an adequate auditorium for its productions, has acquired the
Majestic Theatre. The gilded auditorium isbeing stripped and gutted
to provide two levels of modern performing areas.However, the
exterior elevations, the paved lobby at street-level, thetwo fine
stair-halls, the upper lobbyand rotunda will be retained,
cleanedand refurbished to show again as much of their original
elegande as financeswill allow.
..
°
-
-* ,‘ *‘
PERIOD Check One or More as Appropriate
Pre-Columbion C 16th Cenrury C 18th Century C 20th Century
-15th Century C 17th Century C 19th Century C
* SPECIFIC DATEISt If Applicable endKnown 1916* AREAS DF 5lGNt
FtCANCE
Check One or More as Appropriate
Abor igina Education C Political C Urban Planning CPrehistdric C
Engineering C - R,IigtonfPhi- Other Specify CF-listo,ic * C
Industry C losophy C
________________________
Agriculture C Invention - C Science * C -
________________________
* ArtLandscape Sculpture C
________________________
* Commerce C Architecture C Social/Human-* Communications C
Literature C itorion C
________________________
Conservation C Military C Theater
________________________
- Music C Transportation C
_____________________________
STATEMENT OF SIGNI Fl C AN CE Include Peraonaaes, Dates. Events,
Etc.
This sizeable huildiriiT with its large-scale exterioradornment
occupies its downtown location well, being inHeight, weight and
proportions in good visual balance and relationship with nearby
municipal
Vs buildings and even with a neighbouring modern parking-garage.
ItsWashington Street façade provides a good "stop"--in the sense
ofpunctu-
o ation--to the north-western end of Providencets downtown
shopping and- entertainment area.I-o Although it is about to embark
on a new life--housing new, alive
* performers using innovative and lively forms of dramatic
expression,the Majestic Theatre building will remain a prominent
physical reminderof the era of the extravagant and luxurious "movie
palaces’ constructed
I- in America during the second-through-fourthdecadesof this
century.Expensive as their construction and decor may have been,
they were paidfor many times over by the pre-TV public, who found
romance, world
- travel and nepenthe in the then-new entertainment medium. The
theatreswere part of the illusion, supplying imperially palatial
and formal,
Lii extravagantly frivolous or startlingly "moderne" settings
for theirw motion-pictures, their ‘audevil1e entertainers and the
blasting sound
of their gi’eat disappearing pipe-organs. The entrepreneursand
their- architacts well knew what would be the return on investment
in these
theatre Et±tctures and in constructing them often
producedbuildings andinteriors now highly admired from other
viewpoints.
Alone among Providence movie-houses otherwise concealedin
orunder office and loft buildings, or iAsqueezed sites where only
anentrance is visible, it seems, the Majestic Theatre of 1916 is a
largeand free-standing structure which externally proclaims its
functions.The building, further, had a way of announcing to
the’potential ticket-buyer that its auditorium did not house the
more serious arts. The southfaçade--elaborate and somewhat playful
with its white, green and goldfacing, its varied and
ornamentedopenings--let ohe know iSediatelythat this was a place of
enjoyment, in the same rather frivolous manneras Mexico Cityts
National Theatre of 1900 and Londonts Gaiety Theatreof 1905.
Once-enticed inside,’ the clerk’, the shopgirl and the
housewife
See Continuation Sheet 2.
- H
-
9.-MAJOR B
ProvidenceMagazine, April, 1916, April, 1917.Cady, John
Hutchins: The Civic and Architectural Development of Provi
dence, 1636-1950 Providence, Rhode Island, 1957, pp.
227-228.
10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
____ ________________________________
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES - LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
COORDINATES
DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTYDEFINING THE CENTER
POINT OF A PROPERTY
- - - -- , R
-‘-‘ ________
OF LESS_THAN_ONE ACRE
CORNER LATITUDE LONGITUDE ‘ LATITUDE LONGITUDE
NW
ME
SE
SW
Degrees Minutes Seconds° -
° ‘
° ‘
-
Degrees Minutes Seconds° -
-‘
° - -
‘ ° - - .
0
Degrees Minutes Seconds
10 ° t19 ‘l9.ONDegrees Minutes Seconds710 25 ‘0l.10
‘‘
LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR
COuN’rY BOUNDARIES
STATE: CODE COUNTY
STATE:
STATE:
STATE:
COUNTy!
COUNTY:
!i:L FORM’PRE A’DNAME AND TITLE:
Richard B. Harrington, ConsultantORGANIZATION ‘ DATE
- Rhode Island Historical PreservationCommission April 22,
1972STREET AND NUMBER:
John Brown House, 52 Power StreetCITY OR TOWN: STATE * CODE
Providence Rhode Islarxi, 02906 W.i
As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na-
NATIONA L-REGIS-’r:ER .
- -
tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Public Law Ihereby
certify that this property is included in the
89-665 1 hereby nominate this property for inclusion National
Register.I
-in the National Register-and certify that it has been ‘
evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set
- forth by the National Park Service. lie recommended‘‘‘‘‘
‘level of signiticanCe of this nomination is:
‘ ‘ -
Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation
National C State C Local
-*
Na:ne ‘ ‘‘
Date
‘
AnEST:
Title -
Keeper of The National Register
Date, Date
In
rn
rn
z
In
-f
C
n-I
0
zI-,
I
-
‘fl.
-
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERiOR STATENATIONAL PARK
SERVICE Rhode Island
COUNTYNATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
ProvidencePROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FORNPS USE ONLY
Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photographENTRY
NUMBER DATE
tNAME ::.: .:,:. ...... ... ,... ..‘.. .. ..LcOMMON: Trinity
Sgwire Renertoy Theatre
- 0/OR HISTORIC: Ma1est c TheatreLOCATt3 .:. .: .. ::f. ..
..H.
STREET AND NUMBER:
201 Washington StreetCITY OR TOWN:
ProvidenceSTATE: ODE COUNTY: coo
Rhode Island Providence 07
PHOTO CREDIT: William L. SmithDATE OF PHOTO:JaflUa7, 1972EGATIVE
FILED AT: William L. Smith, P. 0. Box 201,
Hvnni,
Maschietts, 0260 . ,...DENTFICATIO.
0
I
C-
I
z
U.’
U.’
V.’DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC.
Street-level lobby, looking west and showing opening torotunda
above.
-
---
*.&iIo
!,,z:./
,__I f-r 1 jC
.‘ I
/ -
-
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATENATIONAL PARK
SERVICE Rhode Island
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY
ProvidencePROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY
ENTRY NUMBER DATEV.’ Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith
photograph
z -0 COMMON; Trinity SauareRepertory Theatre- AND/OR HISTORIC:
a,jestic Iheatre}-. L :...,. .. . ..
STREET AND NUMBER:
201 WashingtonStreetCITY OR TOWN:
ProvidenceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
Rhode Island LtL Providence 007z >H0TORFEECE- PHOTO CREDIT:
William L. Smith
pATE OF PHOTO: January, 1972LU kGATIVEFILEDA: William L. Smith,
P. 0. Box 201,
Hyannis, Massachiinetts102601
DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC.
Front portion of east stair-hall at street level.
-
4
-
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY
ProvidencePROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY
V.’ Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph ENTRY
NUMBER DATE
Z 4AME .-‘ . .. . .... . .. .... . . .. . .... i..... .- .0
MON;Trnjty Square Renertor Theatre- ANDfOR HISTORIC: Majestic
TheatreF-
C- STREET AND NUMBER:201 Washington Street
CITY OR TOWN:
ProvidenceF- STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
Rhode Island Providence 007
- PHOTO CREDIT: 1Jj1llan L. SmithDATE OF PHOTO: January,
1972
LU IEGATIVE FILED AT: William L. Srnith, P. 0. Box 201,U.’ -
hyannis, Massachusetts.02601
NTCATIODESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC.
Second-floor lobby, looking west.
-
STATE
Rhode IslandCOUNTY
ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY
ENTRY NUMBER DATE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK
SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM
Type oil entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph
0
I
U
IV.’
z
L.I±.ME . . .. . .T .COMMON: :rriflity SquareRepertory
TheatreAN0IOR HISTORIC; Najestic Theatre
3__LcT13STREET AND NUMBER:
201 Washington StreetCITY OR TOWN:
ProvidenceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
Rhode Island Providence 007POTORFEREcE
PHOTO CREDIT: Wi1liai L. SmithDATE OF PHOTO; January,
1972EGATIVE FILED AT: William L. Smith, P. 0. Box 201,
Hyannis, Massachusetts,02601.- .5...
LU
LU
DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION. ETC.
DENT IF ICATI O1
Exterior from the south-west.
-
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNPTrYovidence
PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLYENTRY NUMBER DATE
Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph.5......
S. S.*. .5555 . S.S.*.* 555*5*5*5 .5 ..,........... 55. . S
0 COMMON: Trinity Sciiare Renertorv Theatre -- AND/OR HISTORIC:
Naestic Theat,re.I- CA1O
o STREET AND NUMBER:201 WashingtonStreetCITY OR TOWN:
ProvidenceF- STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
‘Rhode Island lili Providence 007z- PHOTO CREDIT: William L.
Smith
DATE OF PHOTO: January, 1972U.’ EGATIVE FILED AT: William L.
Smith, P. 0. Box 201,LU S Hvannis!1assachusetts,O26Ot, ... ..ff
_T1CATI0 S.
DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC.
Hanging lamp in second-floor lobby.
-
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM
Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph
COUNTY
ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY
ENTRY NUMBER
.
-
/ S
r: / T°C SLS..
L /‘. . I . .. 01ç* ‘S
Vi;,kvn "S/
.I
S 5 5/5
SSS "S
7 /
/,c
- 71
W1!AIarnh D / / / ye 10
Sto y Pt -
‘
S Br;tr:chAv ‘ ..J North ‘ ,* :. 7r
/nd/
AraçSwa
DL&
%5-/
L
I ‘ ‘ I;
/ Sj7 /1 CceS . 2 ‘‘91 r’’i7S:yj.’:S , *‘‘ ‘- 5I
/ , Sch//-
-A
or
7
‘ 7S 7/ Il 7:,- I fl LLI / -_
I:S."
64S.S
-S
- S
-:/S- S.
_ S / ‘ ‘ 55 *5 I- S. r-/ /N1
- 55555555
1 S. -‘
A -
-l .- /l /
/ S - -
1167 s ---‘. ‘‘ 7-’
S’s- / A
//-
S
/5/j - - - GEOORAPHICAL COORDINATES7 5 s//S ., / / ‘ S 5
,‘1’
5 /5- Latitude 41° 49’ 19.40" N /
/‘7 S7./r7,, 5 ,S/S. S
L’ 1..
‘5 .‘..
‘ naitude 71° 25’ 1.10" w , ‘ /7 -1S5r, 7 5 5 I SS.,
/ ;vr/l":’//t
- 5:5-
/S.
B idgeI
,/
- / /5Os- India Ptq
/ /S. 7 WRadw>
Q / /
J* / S, 55’
7 ‘/55 /, - -
//
-
z0
I-
U
I-V.’
U.’
LU
Form lO.3OJuly 1969
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK
SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
PROPERTY MAP FORM
Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith map
STATE
Rhode IslandCOUNTY
ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY
ENTRY NUMBER DATE
[! NAME .: S. 555‘5 S *SS7 55 *.. S
LCOMMON: Trinity Square Repertory " -itreAND/OR HISTORIC; Mal
estic TheatreOCATION
STREET AND N1.IM 8ER:
201 Washington StreetCITY OR TOWN:
ProvidenceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
Rhode Island Providence uUMAP*REFERENC S *. :. ,.:.*...::7’*:
:.. : " . .5
SOURCE:
U. S. Geological Survey
SCALE: 1: 2h,000DATE: 1957
REQUIR EMENTSTO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS
1. Property broundaries where reqUired.2. North arrow.
3. Latitude and longitude reference.