Charleston Municipal Auditorium is a public
auditorium in
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and List of cities in West Virginia, most populous city of West Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Elk River (West Virginia), Elk and Kanawha River, Kanawha rivers, the city had a population of 48,864 at the 20 ...
, as part of the
Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center
The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center (originally known as Charleston Civic Center) is a municipal complex located in the downtown area of Charleston, West Virginia, United States. Originally completed in 1958, it consists of four main co ...
.
It was constructed in 1939 and is a large monolithic concrete and steel structure, situated in the southwestern section of Charleston's
central business district
A central business district (CBD) is the commercial and business centre of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides with the "city ...
.
It is an example of the
Art Deco architectural style in a public building
and was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
With a capacity of 3,483 (2,377 on the orchestra level and 1,106 on the balcony), the Municipal Auditorium is the largest theater in West Virginia.
Concerts,
graduation
Graduation is the awarding of a diploma to a student by an educational institution. It may also refer to the ceremony that is associated with it. The date of the graduation ceremony is often called graduation day. The graduation ceremony is a ...
s,
Broadway stage shows and other special events, including the annual presentation of ''
The Nutcracker'', are held on the auditorium's 65-by-85.5-foot stage.
Municipal Auditorium at CharlestonWVCivicCenter.com
Country music singer Hank Williams
Hank Williams (born Hiram Williams; September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he reco ...
(1923-1953) was scheduled to perform a New Year's Eve show at the auditorium on December 31, 1952. Due to bad weather in Nashville, he was not able to fly to the venue. While en route to the New Year's Day show in Canton, Ohio, Williams died of heart failure in the back seat of his Cadillac near Oak Hill, West Virginia.
References
External links
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Art Deco architecture in West Virginia
Theatres completed in 1939
Buildings and structures in Charleston, West Virginia
National Register of Historic Places in Charleston, West Virginia
Performing arts centers in West Virginia
Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia
Concert halls in the United States
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