Thespian Hall- The most iconic building in Boonville.
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Thespian Hall was constructed by the Boonville Thespian Society in 1857 by the local contractors Homan & McDearmon allegedly using slave labor as part of the workforce. Architecturally the interior was in harmony with the Greek Revival style of the exterior. A curved stairway from the second floor descended to the lobby which contained the box office. Folding doors from the lobby opened into the auditorium. The second floor was committed to the use of fraternal lodges and the City of Boonville in return for funding subscribed from those sources. (E.J Melton- T
he First Hundred Years-1957).
The Thespian Society purpose was to promote a higher level of culture by presenting dramatic and comic plays and orations to the thriving river town. The auditorium, having at this time a level floor, was also used for civic meetings and receptions. The Hall remained the cultural center in town until the Civil War which unfortunately brought about the demise of the Thespian Society. During the war Boonville was captured by the rebels and retaken by the Union twice-being Shelby's Raid in 1863 and Price's Raid in 1864. At this time the Hall served as a hospital, stable and prison.
After the Civil War the building passed into the hands of Col. Joseph L. Stephens, who was one of the original incorporators, and from 1876 to 1895 it was leased to the German Cultural group the Turn and an Gesang Verein (Turners). In 1901 Stephens son Lon, who became the Governor of Missouri, and his brother Speed, a local banker, "modernized" the internal structure by providing a modern stage, lighting, mechanics, dressing rooms, a slanted floor, boxes, orchestra pit and modern embellishments such as a plaster a center medallion, moldings and artistic renderings. At this time the Hall was rechristened- The Stephens Opera House. Travelling theatrical groups on-the-road between St. Louis and Kansas City would often perform at the Hall. Intermittently, vaudeville and silent movies offered other entertainment to the locals. Following this, and now known as the Lyric Theatre "talkies" arrived and continued on until 1975 when it was soon after acquired and restored by the Friends of Historic Boonville, through the generous financial assistance of R. Crosby Kemper and the Kemper Foundation.
Under the ownership of the FOHB, the venerated old structure again became the cultural center of Boonville. Two important festivals occur every year-The Big Muddy Folk Festival and The Missouri Festival of the Arts which presents classical concerts by performers from the St. Louis and Kansas City Philharmonic orchestras and various classical vocalists and pianists.
In 1969 Thespian Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
(All photos -James Higbie Collection)
View attachment 203882
Thespian Hall- James C. Macurdy ca. 1880
View attachment 203886 Thespian Hall - 1932- Photographer unknown
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Thespian Hall - 1932- Photographer unknown
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Lyric Theatre - 1960
View attachment 203887 Thespian Hall - 2005