Washington Hall (Seattle)
# Washington Hall (Seattle)

Washington Hall is a historic building and a registered city landmark in Seattle, Washington, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally built as a community center by the Danish Brotherhood in America, a fraternal organization, with meeting halls and one-room apartments for new immigrants. In 1973, the building was sold to the Sons of Haiti (an African-American Masonic group) who leased the space to various tenants. It was purchased in 2009 by Historic Seattle and was renovated and re-opened in 2010 as an events and performance space.

## Description

The building is a three-story, double wood-frame structure with a brick veneer skin. The design is an eclectic mix of Mission Revival and commercial styles.

## History

Designed to house the needs of its growing fraternal lodge, the hall was commissioned to be built in 1907 by the Danish Brotherhood in America. The original floor plan was designed by local Seattle architect Victor W. Voorhees, with the intent to provide boarding facilities for new Danish immigrants to Seattle, along with meeting and social spaces for members, and a dance hall and performing arts venue to provide outside income. Throughout its history, it has sheltered immigrants from Denmark, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Brazil. Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Du Bois have spoken at Washington Hall, and artists like Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix and Billie Holiday performed on the upstairs stage. It served as the original home of On the Boards, a presenter of contemporary performance, now located in Lower Queen Anne, a nearby neighborhood."

Washington Hall's original purpose was as a meeting hall for the Danish Brotherhood in America, Seattle Lodge #29, and in the 1970s was purchased by the Sons of Haiti (an African-American Masonic group) who "continued to use the first floor rooms for their organization and rent out the second floor as performance space." Various renovations were completed by the Sons of Haiti.

In 2007, the building was in poor condition and prospects for preserving the building seemed dim. It was purchased in 2009 by Historic Seattle. The first phase of the building's restoration was completed in 2010, with additional work expected to be phased over several years.

The building was subsequently designated a Seattle city landmark, and in 2010 a $90,000 grant was secured for its renovation. In December 2010, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

