Lisner Auditorium
Encyclopedia
Lisner Auditorium is an auditorium, located on the campus of The George Washington University, at 730 21st Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C.. It is named for Abram Lisner, a trustee of the University who donated the money for its construction.
It was designed by Faulkner and Kingsbury and built by Charles H. Tompkins Company.
Funding for the project was also provided by the George Washington Memorial Association and the Dimock Estate. Work commenced on the Auditorium in 1941; it was completed in 1943. It served as the focus of theatrical life in Washington prior to the opening of the Kennedy Center.
It is still used for performances today, and is the home of several companies, including Washington Concert Opera.
The auditorium was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1990.
. A leaflet and boycotting campaign ensued.
The National Symphony Orchestra
canceled performances.
In 1947, the Board of Trustees changed policy to admit African-Americans to sponsored events, but did not completely desegregate until 1954.
presented this bronze statue of a hippopotamus
as a gift to the University's Class of 2000.
The auditorium contains a mural by Augustus Vincent Track, and the Dimock gallery is located on the lower Lisner Lounge.
It was designed by Faulkner and Kingsbury and built by Charles H. Tompkins Company.
Funding for the project was also provided by the George Washington Memorial Association and the Dimock Estate. Work commenced on the Auditorium in 1941; it was completed in 1943. It served as the focus of theatrical life in Washington prior to the opening of the Kennedy Center.
It is still used for performances today, and is the home of several companies, including Washington Concert Opera.
The auditorium was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1990.
Desegregation controversy
On October 9, 1946 the theater declined entry to African-Americans, including the Dean of the Howard University Medical SchoolHoward University College of Medicine
The Howard University College of Medicine is an academic division of Howard University, and grants the Doctor of Medicine , Ph.D., MS, and the MPH...
. A leaflet and boycotting campaign ensued.
The National Symphony Orchestra
National Symphony Orchestra
The National Symphony Orchestra , founded in 1931, is an American symphony orchestra that performs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.-History:...
canceled performances.
In 1947, the Board of Trustees changed policy to admit African-Americans to sponsored events, but did not completely desegregate until 1954.
Art
Outside of the Auditorium is the River Horse sculpture. In 1996 George Washington University President Stephen Joel TrachtenbergStephen Joel Trachtenberg
Stephen Joel Trachtenberg was the 15th President of George Washington University, serving from 1988 to 2007. On August 1, 2007, he retired from the presidency and became President Emeritus and University Professor of Public Service.- Background :...
presented this bronze statue of a hippopotamus
Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus , or hippo, from the ancient Greek for "river horse" , is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae After the elephant and rhinoceros, the hippopotamus is the third largest land mammal and the heaviest...
as a gift to the University's Class of 2000.
The auditorium contains a mural by Augustus Vincent Track, and the Dimock gallery is located on the lower Lisner Lounge.
External links
- Official website
- Box Office website
- Lisner Auditorium entry at The George Washington University and Foggy Bottom Historical Encyclopedia
- "Energy secretary talks sustainability at Lisner Auditorium", GW Hatchet, Priya Anand, October 7, 2010