Thalian Hall - A Brief History

Since its construction in 1855-1858, the City Hall/ Thalian Hall building has had the unusual distinction of serving as both the area's political and cultural center. Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, Thalian Hall is the only surviving theatre designed by John Montague Trimble, one of America's foremost 19th-century theatre architects. It was built at a time when Wilmington was the largest city in the state. The new building housed the town government, the library, as well as a "Opera House", seating 1,000 people, which was 10% of the population of the City. Wilmington had been a center of theatrical activity since the end of the 18th century. However, with the building of Thalian Hall, Wilmington became a major stop for national touring artists. During the Civil War, Thalian Hall was in almost constant use as a place of amusement. The theatre was operated by the early Thalian Association for the first two years of its operation. From 1860 until 1932, Thalian Hall was leased by private entrepreneurs, who booked in road shows and star attractions. The most famous lessee of the theatre was John T. Ford, formerly of Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. He leased Thalian Hall from 1867-1871. Some of the artists who appeared in the Hall in the 19th and early 20th centuries were Lillian Russell, Buffalo Bill Cody, John Phillip Sousa, Joseph Jefferson, Maurice Barrymore, and Sir Henry Lauder. Between engagements the theatre hosted many local events such as amateur concerts, recitals, meetings, graduations, exhibitions, and even roller-skating. After the turn of the century, Thalian Hall went through several renovations. The ornate proscenium arch was installed in 1904. In 1909, the side balconies were removed and electric stage lights were installed. It was during this period that the name was changed from the "Opera House" to the "Academy of Music". By 1930 the great days of touring road shows were over and Thalian Hall was used much less frequently, though many local activities, including amateur theatre presented by a re-organized Thalian Asociation, continued to occur there. There were several close calls with demolition in the 1930's and 40's, but the citizens of the community always rallied for its preservation. Following a small fire in the auditorium in 1973, the theatre was restored to its turn of the century appearance. After reopening in 1975, Thalian Hall witnessed a dramatic increase in use by professional artists and community groups, and audience attendance rose. In 1983, under the direction of the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., a Master Plan for the expansion of the theatre and the renovation of the stage house was developed. The citizens of Wilmington overwhelmingly passed a $1.7 million bond issue for the Thalian Hall Renovation and Expansion Project in 1985. Thanks to the magnificent response by the state and the private sector, over $2 million was generated for the effort, with the City of Wilmington providing the remainder of the funds. Construction on the $5.0 million project began in 1988, and took 18 months to complete. The expanded Thalian Hall/ City Hall complex reopened on March 2, 1990.

on this date…November 1 (1878) Albert Aiken, widely-known actor of his day, appeared at Thalian Hall in the touring production of Witches of New York.

Thalian Facts: Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc was established as a vital not-for-profit organization for the preservation and operation of Thalian Hall in 1963.