Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, the oldest continuously operating theater in America, has been delighting audiences of all ages for more than two centuries, writes Jonathan Houston for the Islands.
Since 1809, it has welcomed presidents, celebrities, and numerous luminaries as patrons.
The venue started with equestrian shows, before an 80-foot dome was added in 1812, along with a standard stage. President Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette were in the audience for the first show on its new stage, The Rivals.
The theater has been a pioneer since its inception, becoming the first to install gas footlights in 1837, followed by air conditioning in 1855, and introducing the curtain call. It is also one of the nation’s last theaters that still uses its original rope-and-pulley system, along with a hand-painted fire curtain depicting The Liberty Bell’s First Note.
Perfectly situated in the heart of the city, the Walnut Street Theatre is easy to incorporate into a travel itinerary. It is conveniently located just a few blocks away from the artsy South Street and also close to the Liberty Bell.
Read more about the 200-plus-year history of Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre in the Islands.
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