Sephardic Theatre Group / Photo: UW Special Collections

Washington Hall is a project of

Washington Hall / Photo: ???

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Washington Hall History

Date Built: 1908
Original Architect/Builder: Victor Voorhees (architect)/Hans Pederson (builder); Andrew Willatsen (architect for 1918 alterations)
Original Owner: Danish Brotherhood in America, Seattle Lodge #29
Description: Early 20th century fraternal lodge and dance hall. Eclectic architectural style with Mission Revival elements.

Built in 1908, the Danish Brotherhood in America commissioned the construction of Washington Hall to house the needs of its growing fraternal organization. The building, designed by prolific Seattle architect Victor Voorhees, has served as a fraternal lodge, settlement house and center for social and cultural activities of Seattle’s Danish immigrant population and many other ethnic groups.

A Popular Venue

Many Seattleites remember Washington Hall for its status as a popular performing arts venue. From 1908 until 2001, the hall was rented out for music and theatrical performances. Musicians and speakers such as Marian Anderson, Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Jimi Hendrix, W.E.B. du Bois, Marcus Garvey, and Joe Louis used Washington Hall as their venue. The building was also known as a “public dance hall” and was a popular gathering place for the local community.

The Sons of Haiti, an African American Masonic Lodge, purchased the building from the Danish Brotherhood in 1973. On the Boards, a non-profit arts organization, leased the former dance hall/auditorium from 1978-1998, presenting local, national and international contemporary performances in the facility, including the early work of Spalding Grey, Meredith Monk, Mark Morris and many others.