The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-07-12
"a BEAUTIFUL NEW PAVILION.
One More Addition to the Attractions of
Marshall Hall

One More Addition to the Attractions of
Marshall Hall.
Last night was gala one at Marshall Hall,
that popular and delightful river resort. The
steamers Charles Macalester and W. w. Cor
coran were crowded to the rails with merry
crowd of pleasure and comfort seeking
people bent on participating in the dedica-
tien of the capacious and handsome new
dancing pavilion.
The affair was under the Joint direction OF the
Washington Mandolin, Banjo and Guitar
Club and the Mt. Vernon and Marshall Hall
Steamboat Company. Colonel Joseph Nc
Kibben, the genial manager, and Captain
Blake, the popular commander, were equal to
the occasion and as usual made every one feel
at home. The beautiful grounds, cov-
cred with their velvety lawns, never
looked more handsome. The favor of
the crowd was impartially bestowed between
the open-air concert by the Mandolin and
Guitar Club aud the opening of the new
dancing pavilion. The latter is one OF the
finest in the United States, and marks but
another step in the advance toward perfec-
tion which this charming spot is rapidly
making as resort for those desirous of
beauty of scenery, grandeur Of surroundings,
and of opportunities Tor freedom from care
and variety of enjoyment. For lovers of nat
ure Marshall Hall is unsurpassed. The pa
vilion has Just been completed from plans
drawn by Architect j. West Wagner, who
gave his personal supervision to its construc-
ton. Its dimensions are 125 feet by 65 feet,
while the dancing floor proper is AZ feet
wide by 9S feet in length. Though the
festive crowd which whirled through the
dances to the excellent music furnished by
Schroeder's orchestra was large one, the
floor is of such dimensions that no one was
jostled. The materials of which the pavilion
is constructed are the very best that could be
obtained, and the cost reaches we'll into the
thousands. Comfortable seats line each side
of the floor for the dancers, while extending
around it is balcony eight feet wide, which
will seat 1000 persons, for the benefit of the
onlookers. Particular care was taken in the
construction of the floor, which is as smooth
as pane Of glass. 1t is made Of the finest
comb-grained flooring. At the further end of
the pavilion are two large dressing-rooms
fitted with every modern convenience.
Above this is the balcony for the band. The
front is ornamented with open balustrade
work, and its dimensions, 12x42 feet, are
sufficient to accommodate the Marine Band.
The entrances are so arranged that the dress
ing-rooms can be reached without passing
through the dancing-room. The floor is con-
structed independently of the superstructure,
so that the vibration of it does not reach the
remainder of the building. In short, it is the
most perfect dancing pavilion that could be
built. Marshall Hall is also becoming favor
ite Sunday resort on account Of the quietness
of the place and the respectability of those
who visit it. The Manchester makes four trips
there on that day, at II a. m, 2:30 p. M, 3:15
p. M, and 6 p. m. The National Guard Band
renders a concert on each trip.
This year is the seventh that the present
management has had charge of Marshall Hall,
and its ever increasing favor proves its sue
cess. New attractions are being continually
added and no more pleasant place to while
away an afternoon or evening can be found.
By next season the management hopes that
every building on the place will be new one,
and that none of those which were there when
they took hold will remain. Electric lights
will be put in at a large expense to supersede
the present gasoline lamps, and many other
improvements will be made.