Boutwell Auditorium: Difference between revisions
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It was constructed in [[1924]]. A later renovation added to the lobby and meeting room space in front of the brick facade, giving the street view of the auditorium a decidedly modernist marble, aluminum and glass look. The auditorium was renamed for [[Albert Boutwell]] (Mayor of Birmingham 1963-67). | It was constructed in [[1924]]. A later renovation added to the lobby and meeting room space in front of the brick facade, giving the street view of the auditorium a decidedly modernist marble, aluminum and glass look. The auditorium was renamed for [[Albert Boutwell]] (Mayor of Birmingham 1963-67). | ||
==Notable events== | |||
The auditorium hosted the [[1948 States Rights Democratic Convention]] at which Strom Thurmond was nominated to run against Harry Truman. | |||
In 1956 singer [[Nat King Cole]] was assaulted by a gang of whites during a performance. | |||
The first [[Southern Conference for Human Rights]] was held at the auditorium, attended by Eleanor Roosevelt, [[Hugo Black]], Bibb Graves and Mary McLeod Bethune. | |||
In 1996 the first sections of a the [[Birmingham Urban Mural]] were erected on a steel framework on the exterior east wall of the auditorium. | In 1996 the first sections of a the [[Birmingham Urban Mural]] were erected on a steel framework on the exterior east wall of the auditorium. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Bryant, Joseph D. (February 19, 2006) "Boutwell has history, but not considered historic." ''Birmingham News''. | |||
* Boulard, Garry. (June 24, 1997) ''You can go home again." ''The Advocate''. | * Boulard, Garry. (June 24, 1997) ''You can go home again." ''The Advocate''. | ||
Revision as of 10:43, 27 May 2006
Boutwell Auditorium (also known as Boutwell Memorial Auditorium, formerly Municipal Auditorium) is a city-owned 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena on 8th Avenue North facing Linn Park.
It was constructed in 1924. A later renovation added to the lobby and meeting room space in front of the brick facade, giving the street view of the auditorium a decidedly modernist marble, aluminum and glass look. The auditorium was renamed for Albert Boutwell (Mayor of Birmingham 1963-67).
Notable events
The auditorium hosted the 1948 States Rights Democratic Convention at which Strom Thurmond was nominated to run against Harry Truman.
In 1956 singer Nat King Cole was assaulted by a gang of whites during a performance.
The first Southern Conference for Human Rights was held at the auditorium, attended by Eleanor Roosevelt, Hugo Black, Bibb Graves and Mary McLeod Bethune.
In 1996 the first sections of a the Birmingham Urban Mural were erected on a steel framework on the exterior east wall of the auditorium.
In 1997 Boutwell hosted a watershed event for Birmingham's gay community. After ABC 33/40 declined to air the episode of the television sitcom Ellen which portrayed the title character "coming out" as a lesbian, Birmingham Pride Alabama, with help from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, organized a screening of the episode at Boutwell. Approximately 2,500 people attended the event and listened to a series of speakers proclaim that gays in Birmingham would no longer be invisible.
The auditorium is home to the Birmingham Power basketball team.
Master plans for the future of the Birmingham Museum of Art, which adjoins Boutwell Auditorium, have included expanding onto its current site.
References
- Bryant, Joseph D. (February 19, 2006) "Boutwell has history, but not considered historic." Birmingham News.
- Boulard, Garry. (June 24, 1997) You can go home again." The Advocate.