Sublett Hall: Difference between revisions

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'''Sublett Hall''' was a public meeting hall and playhouse located at 2011½ & 2013½ [[2nd Avenue North]].
'''Sublett Hall''' was a public meeting hall and playhouse located at 2011½ & 2013½ [[2nd Avenue North]].


The 417-seat hall was conceived and constructed in [[1872]] by fresco painter and building supplier [[Frank O'Brien]]. He leased the space above a mercantile store<!--owned by [[Thomas Tate]]?--> and hired cabinet maker [[Edward Erswell]] to construct a stage, then painted the scenery himself. He acted as promoter for the next two years. The debut performance was a double bill of "East Lynne" and "Everybody's Wife" on [[October 14]].
The 417-seat hall was conceived and constructed in [[1872]] by fresco painter and building supplier [[Frank O'Brien]]. He leased the space above a mercantile store<!--owned by [[Thomas Tate]]?--> and hired cabinet maker [[Edward Erswell]] to construct a stage, then painted the scenery himself. The hall was named in honor of Major Joseph M. Sublett of Mississippi, a backer of the project. O'Brien managed the theater for its first two seasons.


The hall was later operated by the [[German Society of Birmingham]]. It hosted meetings of the [[1874 Alabama Press Association convention]] and the organizational meetings of [[First Christian Church]]. It hosted frequent performances by the [[Birmingham Thespian Corps]] and [[Grambs' Military Band]]. In [[1875]] it was also used as [[Jefferson County]]'s temporary [[Jefferson County Courthouse|seat of justice]] during construction of a new [[Jefferson County Courthouse (1875)|courthouse building]].
The hall was later operated by the [[German Society of Birmingham]]. It hosted meetings of the [[1874 Alabama Press Association convention]] and the organizational meetings of [[First Christian Church]]. It hosted frequent performances by the [[Birmingham Thespian Corps]] and [[Grambs' Military Band]]. In [[1875]] it was also used as [[Jefferson County]]'s temporary [[Jefferson County Courthouse|seat of justice]] during construction of a new [[Jefferson County Courthouse (1875)|courthouse building]].


Sublett Hall ceased serving as a theater after the [[1881]]-[[1882]] season and the opening of [[O'Brien's Opera House]]. The space was still used for meetings, though.
Sublett Hall ceased serving as a theater after the [[1881]]-[[1882]] season and the opening of [[O'Brien's Opera House]]. The space was still used for meetings.


In [[1884]] it was being used as the armory for the [[Birmingham Rifles]] and [[Birmingham Artillery Company]]. A year later it hosted a Sunday School organized by the ladies of [[First Christian Church]].
In [[1884]] it was owned by [[F. M. Irion]], and was used as the armory for the [[Birmingham Rifles]] and [[Birmingham Artillery Company]], as well as for meetings of the [[Esmeralda Club]]. A year later it hosted a Sunday School organized by the ladies of [[First Christian Church]].
 
==Notable events==
* [[October 14]], [[1872]]: The debut performance was a double bill of "East Lynne" and "Everybody's Wife".
* [[December 11]], [[1874]]: Confederate spy Belle Boyd delivered a lecture
* [[April 22]], [[1884]]: [[Frank Irion]] hosted a military ball for members of the Alabama State Militia and their escorts, coinciding with the opening of the [[1884 Alabama State Exposition]].
* [[April 8]], [[1890]]: [[Alabama Medical Society]] convention.


{{stub}}
==References==
==References==
* {{CD-1884}}
* {{CD-1884}}
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* Haarbauer, Don Ward (1973) "A Critical History of the Non-Academic Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama." PhD dissertation. University of Wisconsin
* Haarbauer, Don Ward (1973) "A Critical History of the Non-Academic Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama." PhD dissertation. University of Wisconsin


[[Category:Block 100]]
[[Category:Theaters]]
[[Category:Theaters]]
[[Category:Meeting spaces]]
[[Category:Meeting spaces]]
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[[Category:1872 buildings]]
[[Category:1872 buildings]]
[[Category:1872 establishments]]
[[Category:1872 establishments]]
[[Category:1882 disestablishments]]

Latest revision as of 13:00, 4 March 2021

Sublett Hall was a public meeting hall and playhouse located at 2011½ & 2013½ 2nd Avenue North.

The 417-seat hall was conceived and constructed in 1872 by fresco painter and building supplier Frank O'Brien. He leased the space above a mercantile store and hired cabinet maker Edward Erswell to construct a stage, then painted the scenery himself. The hall was named in honor of Major Joseph M. Sublett of Mississippi, a backer of the project. O'Brien managed the theater for its first two seasons.

The hall was later operated by the German Society of Birmingham. It hosted meetings of the 1874 Alabama Press Association convention and the organizational meetings of First Christian Church. It hosted frequent performances by the Birmingham Thespian Corps and Grambs' Military Band. In 1875 it was also used as Jefferson County's temporary seat of justice during construction of a new courthouse building.

Sublett Hall ceased serving as a theater after the 1881-1882 season and the opening of O'Brien's Opera House. The space was still used for meetings.

In 1884 it was owned by F. M. Irion, and was used as the armory for the Birmingham Rifles and Birmingham Artillery Company, as well as for meetings of the Esmeralda Club. A year later it hosted a Sunday School organized by the ladies of First Christian Church.

Notable events

References

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