The Washington herald., 1918-09-08

opened in ls4s. In this little playhouse
the first negro minstrel performance
is said to have been given by a trav-
cling troupe of blackface comedians.
The structure still stands in its old
time quaintness, the lower floor hav-
ing been occupied for many years by
the late "Shillington. the Bookman."
The Adelphia Theater was built on
Pennsylvania avenue. near the Odeon,
in lSi7. and became a popular play
house. Many noted actors and act
resses appeared there. among them
being Charlotte Cushman, Julia Dean.
Charley Burke. Bellamy and Kate
Horn.
Jenny Lind Was Popular.
When Jenny Lind came to Wash
ington in 1850, the fame of the
Swedish Nightingale" was so great
that ii became necessary TO con-
struct a temporary auditorium for
her appearance. This was done on
the site of the National Theater.
Another sensation in theatricaks
resulted from the appearance here
in 1853 OF Adelina Patti. the opera
singer, then just entering upon her
brilliant career. Men and women
noted in the political and social life
of the capital packed Carusi's Sa-
loon to hear her wonderful voice.
Still another Washington theater.
the Iron Hall Assembly Rooms"
was opened in 1852 on Pennsyl-
vania avenue between Ninth and
Tenth streets. now occupied as SAL
walton army headquarters. One
year later the name of the play
house was changed to 'Risley's Va
rieties." In 1856 it was renamed
the Peoples Theater." George
Kunkle and John T. Ford acquir-
ed this theater in ls55. After the
civil war II was used occasionally
for variety performances without
any fixed status. These halls of
former revelry and mirth, with
their wine, women and song"
have for the past twenty years
been employed in the human up
lift and the flippant songs of long
ago have been supplanted by hymns
and prayers Of the Salvation Army
workers.
Another playhouse that is still in
evidence was known as the Washing
ton Theater. 1t came into being in
1855. and is today the Lyceum. situated
at Eleventh and C streets northwest,
with the main entrance on Pennsyl-
yania avenue. In its early days It
was high class playhouse. and such
famed stars as Maggie Mitchell. Jo-
seph Jefferson. John Wilkes Booth.
Adelina Patti and her sister Carlotta-
and Laura Keene appeared there and
made 1t popular and fashionable re-
sort 1t also was the scene of several
seasons of grand opera.
For many years this playhouse was
closed until the redoubtable Col"
Snellbaker came from Cincinnati and
leased the building about forty years
ago. opening 1t as the Theater Com
was taken over by the Herman Broth
ers of Baltimore and became Ker-
mans Lyceum Theater, where varie-
ties were still maintained.
Story Of Ford's Thentcr.
The historical Ford's Theater on
10th street, between E and F streets,
where the lamented president Lincoln
was fatally wounded by the assassin
Booth. was opened In 1862, by John 7.
Ford. An old program, yellowed by
age announced that the opening per-
formance would be 'the thrilling
drama The French Spy" with
Lucille Western in the leading role.
On the Inflated night that the i'm
mortal Lincoln was shot, April IA
ises, Laura Keene was appearing in
Our American Cousin and the
PRESIDENT occupied box as a inter
ested auditor. After the enactment OF
the great tragedy. which plunged the
nauon into grief, the doors of Ford's S
Tneater were forever closed on its
playhouse feature, and for many years
mas oeen occupied as a governmet
annex. First 1t was converted into
the Army Medical Museum, and by =
coincidence the skeleton of another
assassin. Guiteau, who killed Presi-
dent Garfield, was articulated in the
building, and his heart and spleen