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The Sylvan Grove Theater and Columns, also known as the Sylvan Grove Theater or simply the Sylvan Theater, is a
Sylvan Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, ca. 1911
Digital Collections, University Libraries, University of Washington.
Photos of the Columns
Digital Collections, University Libraries, University of Washington. {{coord, 47.6527, -122.3061, type:landmark_region:US-WA, display=title Buildings and structures in Seattle Paranormal places in the United States University of Washington campus Tourist attractions in Seattle Relocated buildings and structures in Washington (state) University and college theatres in the United States
The Sylvan Grove Theater and Columns, also known as the Sylvan Grove Theater or simply the Sylvan Theater, is a sylvan theater
A sylvan theater—sometimes called a greenery theater (french: théâtre de verdure) (also spelt theatre, see spelling differences)—is a type of outdoor theater situated in a wooded (sylvan) setting. Often adorned with classical motifs (colu ...
located on the University of Washington
The University of Washington (UW, simply Washington, or informally U-Dub) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington.
Founded in 1861, Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast; it was established in Seattle a ...
campus in Seattle, Washington
Seattle ( ) is a port, seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the county seat, seat of King County, Washington, King County, Washington (state), Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in bo ...
. Within the theater are four tall Ionic columns
The Ionic order is one of the three canonic orders of classical architecture, the other two being the Doric and the Corinthian. There are two lesser orders: the Tuscan (a plainer Doric), and the rich variant of Corinthian called the composite or ...
from the original University building downtown, constructed in 1861. They are some of the oldest-standing architectural pieces in Seattle. It has been called "one of the most beautiful places on campus."
The columns were named "Loyalty", "Industry", "Faith", and "Efficiency" (LIFE) by University Comptroller Herbert T. Condon
Herbert may refer to:
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* Herbert (musician), a pseudonym of Matthew Herbert
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Places Antarctica
* Herbert Mountains, Coats Land
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and Edmond S. Meany
Edmond Stephen Meany (December 28, 1862 – April 22, 1935) was a professor of botany and history at the University of Washington (UW). He was an alumnus of the university, having graduated as the valedictorian of his class in 1885 when it was th ...
, head of the History Department.
History
The original University of Washington building in downtown Seattle officially opened on September 16, 1861. It had aportico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cult ...
with four Ionic columns made of hand-fluted cedar. In 1908, as the building was about to be demolished, Edmond S. Meany
Edmond Stephen Meany (December 28, 1862 – April 22, 1935) was a professor of botany and history at the University of Washington (UW). He was an alumnus of the university, having graduated as the valedictorian of his class in 1885 when it was th ...
saved the columns, intending that they should be used in the construction of the new campus.
From 1911 through 1920, the columns stood in the Quad, near Savery, Denny, and Raitt Halls. Eventually it became clear that the Greek columns could not be integrated into the University design plan, which specified Gothic architecture for the buildings on upper campus. A student design competition was organized and was won by a sophomore, Marshall W. Gill, the son of Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill
Hiram C. Gill (August 23, 1866 – January 7, 1919) was an American lawyer and two-time Mayor of Seattle, Washington, identified with the "open city" politics that advocated toleration of prostitution, alcohol, and gambling.David WilmaGill, Hi ...
.
In 1921, the columns were moved to their current location in Sylvan Grove. They are maintained by the university's Facility Services, which last repaired them in 2008.
The site has received attention from paranormal investigators.
References
Further reading
* *External links
Sylvan Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, ca. 1911
Digital Collections, University Libraries, University of Washington.
Photos of the Columns
Digital Collections, University Libraries, University of Washington. {{coord, 47.6527, -122.3061, type:landmark_region:US-WA, display=title Buildings and structures in Seattle Paranormal places in the United States University of Washington campus Tourist attractions in Seattle Relocated buildings and structures in Washington (state) University and college theatres in the United States