192 20 3886 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/a77422d8e016ecd54cb6b02e8b3fc866.jpg 9963d69747a54985b4cfe30e4db89060 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC 356 Title A name given to the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry Collection Description An account of the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry began in the late eighteenth century when a group of free black men, led by Prince Hall (d. 1807), petitioned and were made members of a Masonic lodge attached to an Irish regiment stationed in Boston, Massachusetts. By 1784 the group had formed their own lodge and received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Since that time, Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry, with a predominantly black membership, has developed in a parallel evolution with so-called mainstream (i.e., predominantly white) Freemasonry in the United States. This is the case with the affiliated and appendant bodies as well, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, and Shriners. The first Prince Hall Masonic Lodge established in Columbus was Bradwell Lodge no. 4 (now Lewis Hayden Lodge no. 6) on 24 June 1871. Since 1871 seven additional lodges, as well as three Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, have been established in Columbus. Many pillars of the community have belonged to Prince Hall Masonic bodies in the Columbus area. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech at the Prince Hall building in July 1958. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950s Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 8x10 Coloration Is the photograph black and white or in color Black and White Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC356_01_002 Title A name given to the resource John Wesley Dobbs, Grand Master, Grand Lodge Officers, 1951 Description An account of the resource Portrait of John Wesley Dobbs, Grand Master Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/ae709141e45934373134698a57d7e102.jpg 2b1b478047b43e01fa9294cfaa4bcdcb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC 356 Title A name given to the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry Collection Description An account of the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry began in the late eighteenth century when a group of free black men, led by Prince Hall (d. 1807), petitioned and were made members of a Masonic lodge attached to an Irish regiment stationed in Boston, Massachusetts. By 1784 the group had formed their own lodge and received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Since that time, Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry, with a predominantly black membership, has developed in a parallel evolution with so-called mainstream (i.e., predominantly white) Freemasonry in the United States. This is the case with the affiliated and appendant bodies as well, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, and Shriners. The first Prince Hall Masonic Lodge established in Columbus was Bradwell Lodge no. 4 (now Lewis Hayden Lodge no. 6) on 24 June 1871. Since 1871 seven additional lodges, as well as three Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, have been established in Columbus. Many pillars of the community have belonged to Prince Hall Masonic bodies in the Columbus area. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech at the Prince Hall building in July 1958. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950s Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 8x10 Coloration Is the photograph black and white or in color black and white Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC356_01_003 Title A name given to the resource John Wesley Dobbs, Imperial Potentate Description An account of the resource Portrait of John Wesley Dobbs, Imperial Potentate, AEAONMS, wearing a fez hat. https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/3d4d6ff510c7c2c309c1c7fc257d101f.jpg cce69a33e66144860b86fb0ded0c59fe Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC 356 Title A name given to the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry Collection Description An account of the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry began in the late eighteenth century when a group of free black men, led by Prince Hall (d. 1807), petitioned and were made members of a Masonic lodge attached to an Irish regiment stationed in Boston, Massachusetts. By 1784 the group had formed their own lodge and received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Since that time, Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry, with a predominantly black membership, has developed in a parallel evolution with so-called mainstream (i.e., predominantly white) Freemasonry in the United States. This is the case with the affiliated and appendant bodies as well, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, and Shriners. The first Prince Hall Masonic Lodge established in Columbus was Bradwell Lodge no. 4 (now Lewis Hayden Lodge no. 6) on 24 June 1871. Since 1871 seven additional lodges, as well as three Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, have been established in Columbus. Many pillars of the community have belonged to Prince Hall Masonic bodies in the Columbus area. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech at the Prince Hall building in July 1958. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950s Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 8x10 Coloration Is the photograph black and white or in color black and white Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC356_01_005 Title A name given to the resource Grand Lodge Officers, 1951 Description An account of the resource Grand Lodge Officers posing while John Wesley Dobbs shakes hands with Grand Master Amos T. Hall of Oklahoma. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951 African American Freemasons Prince Hall https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/f8ff7a9d28571e3e4b9d7b8752a21ac6.jpg f6eb709e6024faa6875f3d54270fe394 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC 356 Title A name given to the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry Collection Description An account of the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry began in the late eighteenth century when a group of free black men, led by Prince Hall (d. 1807), petitioned and were made members of a Masonic lodge attached to an Irish regiment stationed in Boston, Massachusetts. By 1784 the group had formed their own lodge and received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Since that time, Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry, with a predominantly black membership, has developed in a parallel evolution with so-called mainstream (i.e., predominantly white) Freemasonry in the United States. This is the case with the affiliated and appendant bodies as well, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, and Shriners. The first Prince Hall Masonic Lodge established in Columbus was Bradwell Lodge no. 4 (now Lewis Hayden Lodge no. 6) on 24 June 1871. Since 1871 seven additional lodges, as well as three Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, have been established in Columbus. Many pillars of the community have belonged to Prince Hall Masonic bodies in the Columbus area. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech at the Prince Hall building in July 1958. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950s Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 8x10 Coloration Is the photograph black and white or in color black and white Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC356_01_005 Title A name given to the resource Unknown Group, Birmingham, Alabama, 1951 Description An account of the resource Group of unknown men posing in their robes and regalia. Possibly the United Supreme Council, Scottish Rite Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 15, 1951 African American Freemasons Prince Hall https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/a119f996c0b0e93b04131867a43d268a.jpg 570918c7bb0826aea35aa406acb6c71f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC 356 Title A name given to the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry Collection Description An account of the resource Prince Hall Freemasonry began in the late eighteenth century when a group of free black men, led by Prince Hall (d. 1807), petitioned and were made members of a Masonic lodge attached to an Irish regiment stationed in Boston, Massachusetts. By 1784 the group had formed their own lodge and received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Since that time, Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry, with a predominantly black membership, has developed in a parallel evolution with so-called mainstream (i.e., predominantly white) Freemasonry in the United States. This is the case with the affiliated and appendant bodies as well, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, and Shriners. The first Prince Hall Masonic Lodge established in Columbus was Bradwell Lodge no. 4 (now Lewis Hayden Lodge no. 6) on 24 June 1871. Since 1871 seven additional lodges, as well as three Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, have been established in Columbus. Many pillars of the community have belonged to Prince Hall Masonic bodies in the Columbus area. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech at the Prince Hall building in July 1958. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950s Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 8x10 Coloration Is the photograph black and white or in color black and white Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context MC356_01_006 Title A name given to the resource 59th Annual Session Prince Hall Grand Chapter - O.E.S. Atlanta, Georgia, June 9-12, 1958 Description An account of the resource Photograph of the 59th Annual Session of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter - O.E.S. Photograph includes men and women wearing their sashes and regalia outside the Liberty Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 9-12, 1958 African American Freemasons Prince Hall https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/67ba61e4a2ce69429d528cbd4724d130.pdf c518385831a64ca00006f6465ad8b91b Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document NPS Form 10-900 (3-82) OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service For NPS use only received APR 19, 1984 date entered National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries—complete applicable sections Substantive Review 1. Name historic Liberty Theater and or common Same 2. Location street & number 821 Eighth Avenue N_/A_ not for publication city, town Columbus N/A_ vicinity of state Georgia code 013 county Muscogee code 215 3. Classification Category district X building(s) structure site object Ownership public X private both Public Acquisition N/A in process being considered Status occupied X unoccupied work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted yes: unrestricted no Present Use agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military museum park private residence religious scientific transportation X other: Vacant 4. Owner of Property name William H. Spencer Golden Owlettes, c/o Mrs. Charlotte Frazier, Executive Director street & number 4545 Kerz Court city, town Columbus N/A vicinity of state Georgia 31903 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Superior Court street & number Muscogee County Courthouse/Consolidated Government Center city, town Columbus state Georgia 6. Representation in Existing Surveys title None has this property been determined eligible? yes X no date federal state county local depository for survey records city, town state 7. Description Condition Excellent X good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered X altered Check one X original site moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance The Liberty Theater is a brick theater building with a balcony, stage, and stage loft. The first floor contains a lobby, ticket booth, restrooms, office, seating for 600, and stage. The second floor consists of a balcony and projection area. The interior finishes and craftsmanship are simple. The interior was designed simply for use as a theater. Two sets of double doors give access and egress to the lobby. This area extends across the front of the building, with a depth of twelve feet, and provides access to stairs, office, ticket booth, and restroom. It contains a concession stand between the two sets of doors opening on the aisles of the main auditorium. There is a balcony over one-third of the auditorium. The woodwork is varnished, the floor is sloping and concrete, and the walls were originally plastered. Original wooden, metal-frame folding seats are in place. The stage remains, while the pulleys and some other stage fittings are gone. The theater is built of solid brick construction with a wooden-and-steel beam roof. It contains original and replacement electrical wiring, fixtures, fans, and plumbing. A 1950-period water-cooled air-conditioning system is in place. The theater occupies the entire property to the front and side boundaries with approximately fifty feet of open space at the rear of the lot. The terrain is flat and was extensively filled at the time the theater was constructed. It is located in a mixed commercial/residential area that has historically been a black section of the city. There are no outbuildings. Changes to the structure stem from major remodeling in 1955 when the tile, plastic and glass front facade was attached over the original, ornamental brick front and alterations were made to the lobby. A new and larger marquee was added and the original one removed. Windows were closed, the front doors were changed, and the lobby was remodeled. Walls on the interior were hung with acoustical fabric. 8. Significance Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 X 1900- Areas of Significance — Check and justify below archeology-prehistoric archeology-historic agriculture architecture art commerce communications community planning conservation economics education engineering exploration/settlement industry invention landscape architecture law literature military X music philosophy politics/government religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian X theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1925 Builder/Architect Unknown Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Liberty Theater is significant in the history of music and theater. In music, the theater is significant for the role it played during the peak of the jazz and blues era. It was built at a time when these musical forms were at the height of their popularity, particularly with the black audiences that came to the Liberty. Of special importance were the frequent performances of "Ma" Rainey (1886-1939), a Columbus native who became the "Mother of the Blues." It was the major place in Columbus for black audiences to partake of these and other cultural performances. In theater history, it is significant for having been built as a theater for blacks by the Martin Theater chain. It was Columbus' first black theater and featured films—silent and then talkies—as well as stage and musical productions. As late as 1955, it was the regional chain's only black theater. These areas of significance support property eligibility under National Register criteria A and B. Historical Narrative When the Liberty Theater opened in Columbus by late April, 1925, it was a significant event on several counts. Most importantly, it was one of the few theaters in Georgia built solely for black people to attend. Other motion-picture and live theater houses had existed for some time, with some opera houses being converted to motion-picture houses, but few other communities had a theater solely for black people. Roy E. Martin, a prominent white businessman, owned the theater chain. The theater was also important for having the largest seating capacity of any motion-picture theater in Columbus at that time. This designation did not last long, for in April, 1928, Mr. Martin opened the Royal Theater in Columbus, which seated 2,800. The motivation behind the building of the Liberty is not certain. Some believe that white citizens in Columbus who loved the performing arts felt strongly that blacks should have a place of their own; others believe it was primarily a business opportunity for the fast-growing Martin Theater chain. The local newspapers in 1924 show local emphasis on new recreation places and a need for entertainment for black soldiers (Fort Benning, a major Army base, being located nearby). Roy E. Martin (1885-1948), a native of nearby Harris County, purchased his first theater in 1912 and built his first new one in 1914, both in Columbus. By [continued] 9. Major Bibliographical References See Continuation Sheet. 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property less than one acre Quadrangle name Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Quadrangle scale 1:24,000 UTM References A 16 689600 3593220____ B______________________________ Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing C ______________________ D______________________________ E ______________________ F______________________________ G ______________________ H______________________________ Verbal boundary description and justification The nominated property is Lot 9, which is the theater lot today and the same lot purchased for the theater in 1924. It is marked on the enclosed plat. List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state N/A code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr., Historian Historic Preservation Section organization Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources date March 26, 1984 street & number 270 Washington Street, S.W. telephone (404) 656-2840 city or town Atlanta state Georgia 30334 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: __ national X state ____ local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89- 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature [Elizabeth A. Lyon] Elizabeth A. Lyon title State Historic Preservation Officer date 4/5/84 For NFS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register [Signature] date 5/22/1984 Keeper of the National Register Attest: date Chief of Registration NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form Continuation sheet Significance Item number 8 Page 2 1928, he owned nine theaters in Columbus and nearby Phenix City, Alabama, in addition to the Liberty, and the chain rapidly spread to surrounding states. Martin Theaters is still in business in the Southeast. The Liberty was not just a movie house for blacks but was the only local place they had for entertainment and cultural activities outside of church, school and fraternal facilities. The productions there were an inspiration for young blacks, one of the few positive influences they received in a largely segregated world. The theater was begun in 1924 in a predominately black section of Columbus. The site of the Liberty was residential until immediately before the project began, even though the land had been purchased for the theater in 1920. The architect Mr. Martin used for a proposed theater begun in 1923, and for the Royal, completed in 1928, was T. Firth Lockwood (1894-1963) of Columbus. It is reasonable to assume that Mr. Martin used Lockwood for the Liberty, although no evidence has been discovered to substantiate this attribution. Lockwood designed buildings of all types, including private homes, schools, churches and libraries, and he worked in Columbus and the southwest Georgia region. Interviews have established that Jim Ingersoll and family of Phenix City, Alabama, did the grading and landscaping of the site. When the theater opened, there was no inside concession, food being obtained from the adjacent cafe which had a connecting opening to the theater. Later, a concession was added inside. In 1927, cost for a movie at the Liberty and other local theaters was 5C for the balcony and 10C for the orchestra. After the theater opened, some seats were reserved for white citizens. In its hey-day, the Liberty saw many important black figures in the entertainment world. Primary among these was "Ma" Rainey, a Columbus native who performed here on many occasions while known as "Mother of the Blues." At least once, she had Bessie Smith, another great blues singer, with her. Marian Anderson is said to have played here in 1925-26, as well as the famous Whitman Sisters. The Marching Club of the Elks sponsored most of the big bands of the times, including Duke Ellington, Cab Galloway, Ella Fitzgerald singing with the Chick Webb Band, and others. It is not known if they performed at the Liberty, but they were part of the black cultural activities represented by the Liberty. Before the first talkies began to appear after 1927, the silent movies were accompanied by local musicians. The theater was also, as mentioned, a multipurpose facility, being the scene of many revues, minstrel shows, vaudeville acts, and other types of live entertainment. It also hosted dramatic readings and poetry readings. A local band, sponsored by the International Benevolent Society, often played at the Liberty. Occasionally, there would be an inspirational speech, [continued] NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form Continuation sheet Significance Item number 8 Page 3 like the time baseball star Jackie Robinson spoke, challenging young blacks to succeed at their chosen fields. From World War II until the theater closed in 1973, it functioned mostly as a movie house. The theater closed after integration opened all other local theaters to all people. There was then no longer a need for an all-black theater. After it closed in 1973, it was retained by the Martins until December, 1980, when it was transferred to the present owners, who hope to reopen it as a facility for the young of the area to participate in the performing arts, once again bringing the Liberty back to its original use as a cultural center for the black community. NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form Continuation sheet Bibliography Item number 9 Page 2 Smith, Eugene. "A History of the Liberty Theatre in Columbus, Georgia (1924-1982)." Class paper, August, 1982. Copies on file at Historic Preservation Section. Mahan, Joseph B., Jr. "Liberty Theater," Historic Property Information Form, April 5, 1983. On file at the Historic Preservation Section, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta, Georgia. "$30,000 Theater for Negroes," The Industrial Index, April 29, 1925, p. 24-C. "Chains Only Colored House Remodeled," Martin Tipster, August, 1955. [Hand drawn diagram of the interior of the Liberty Theatre] Door Door N. ^ Two Small windows 0 36’ STAGE SmAll WiNdow 12 12 ASBESTOS CURTAiN Three small windows PROSCENiUM WALL Interior of Liberty Theatre (Not to ScAle) PiLastered WAll SeRTS PiLastered WALL AiSLE MAiN SEATiNG AREA (AUDiTORiuM) AISLE SEATS SANborN INsurANce Co Door WALL DiVider Door MAp of Columbus, GA New INdex 1925 [BAlCONy-ABove] REST ROOMS {ProJectioN ROOM] stAiRs to bAlcoNy Window -ABOVe SEATING CAPACITY <--- Parapet Ticket booth-> 540 Door Door LIBERTY THEATER Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia 8th AVE FLOOR PLAN Scale: Not to scale Source: Drawing based on Sanborn Insurance Map, 1925 Date: Drawn in 1983 Key: Areas of the theater are marked on the map. This shows only the first floor. The only elements on the second floor are the balcony and projection room, the location of which is shown in brackets. [Property/Sketch Map] 8th STREET 99 14 11 10 7 IRON N 02°28’W—147.83 IRON 73.91 73.92 16.3 16.5 16.7 5.5 10.55 RESIDENCE RESIDENCE RESIDENCE RESIDENCE 16.3 16.6 16.3 16.1 S 87°27’W—147.83 S 87°27’W—147.83 N 87°28’E—147.83 47.7 63.0[9] LOT 12 LOT 9 8 (82.83) STORES LIBERTY THEATRE NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. 813 815 817 819 821 73.91 (130.[illegibile]) 73.92 IRON —S 02°28’E—147.83 8th Avenue 99’ LIBERTY THEATER Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia PROPERTY/SKETCH MAP Scale: 1" = 40' Source: Aldridge, Moon and Associates, CE Date: 1965 Key: The nominated property is marked by a heavy black line and consists of the theater itself. In my opinion this plat is a correct representation of the land platted and has been prepared in conformity with the minimum standards and requirements of law. [A. B Moon Jr] A. B, MOON, JR., R. L., S. [STAMP] GEORGIA NO. 782 GEORGIA REGISTED No. 782 Expires 1-1-‘66 LAND SURVEYOR A. B. MOON, JR. Lots 9 and 12, Block 38 Commons Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia TO ALL PARTIES INTERESTED IN TITLE TO PREMISES SURVEYED I hereby certify that this is a true and correct survey, the Improvements are as shown and that there are no encroachment except as shown. Scale 1” = 40’ Date Revised 30 August 1965 12 August 1965 [A. B. MOON, JR.] ALDRIDGE. MOON & ASSOCIATES CIVIL ENGINEERS COLUMBUS, GEORGIA GEORGIA REG. 1662 & 3224 ALABAMA REG. 1192 & 1927 LIBERTY COLUMBUS Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image height: 872 px width: 887 px Coloration Is the photograph black and white or in color The photograph is in black and white. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Liberty Theatre National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form Description An account of the resource A scanned document nominating the Liberty Theatre for placement in the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places inventory. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Logan Gordy Kewanee Story Yinuo Chen Aidan Knighton Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived National Park Service, & Thomas, K., National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form (1984). Columbus, Georgia; National Park Service. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/f19db6a1-4d82-4788-82bc-7050bb5b1fe3 history Liberty Theater Liberty Theatre National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/86162d4f3ca9efec83818d21049cf91c.jpg 5a50d788cf8928fa95743799d4b7aef8 Website A resource comprising of a web page or web pages and all related assets ( such as images, sound and video files, etc. ). Local URL The URL of the local directory containing all assets of the website https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/politics-government/article241030556.html Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Restoration of the Liberty Theatre in the 1990s. Description An account of the resource After decades of decline and eventual closure, the Liberty Theatre in Columbus, Georgia underwent a major restoration project in the 1990s. A subsequent federal grant in 1993 helped fund its restoration.  And it reopened in 1996 as the first African-American arts institution and musical playhouse in Columbus. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Yinuo Chen Logan Gordy Kewanee Story Aidan Knighton Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Allie Dean, Columbus Council decides to ‘back away’ for now on buying historic Liberty Theatre. March 10, 2020. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/politics-government/article241030556.html history Liberty Theater Liberty Theater Reopen Restoration of the Liberty Theatre in the 1990s https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/991a327df6353d4d6152e81ca72fb824.png 86dc58dbfad7132ff6bb1fa9db3193f0 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Columbus' titled "Liberty District" Description An account of the resource The now titled Liberty District was one of Columbus' most prolific and safe gathering places for black entertainment during the era of segregation, and is home to the famed and now restored Liberty Theater. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Aidan Knighton Logan Gordy Kewanee Story Yinuo Chen Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Chattahoochee Valley Libraries. (2022). Downtown. Columbus, Georgia: Hear Us Talking. Retrieved September 28, 2025, from https://georgialibraries.omeka.net/s/CVL-Columbus-Georgia-Hear-Us-Talking/page/downtown Type The nature or genre of the resource https://georgialibraries.omeka.net/s/CVL-Columbus-Georgia-Hear-Us-Talking/page/downtown https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/96c2cbdacd59a1c5c1f29bcd3c967f0f.webp 15ec7b7b8406f62ca6712640833ec8d7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Columbus Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert in 1907 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Origins - Local Life in Columbus Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/14/2025 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Diego Montes Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Sebastian Ocando, Ty Gable. Relation A related resource Liberty Theater Website A resource comprising of a web page or web pages and all related assets ( such as images, sound and video files, etc. ). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Columbus Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert in 1907. Description An account of the resource A black-and-white image of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's inaugural concert in 1907. Musicians sit in formal attire with their instruments poised, while the conductor stands at center stage mid-gesture. The stage is framed by ornate drapery, and soft lighting highlights the historic moment as the city's first professional orchestra begins its legacy Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Sebastian Ocando, Diego Montes, Enluis Montes, Eva Ruiz, Ty Gable. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived “The Columbus Symphony: A Look,” The Columbus Dispatch, April 28, 2008, photo gallery, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.dispatch.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2008/04/28/the-columbus-symphony-a-look/546188007/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1907 Activities Blind Tom Wiggins blues Columbus Competition concerts Count Basie dance education Ella Fitzgerald Folk jazz liberty Louis Armstrong ma rainey party performances recording Sisters Summer Camp Theater Tom Wiggins trumpet trumpet solo https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/23d9f7bdbf3df5b57da13ca04320fe4e.png e494c4f5f1ba6ed078477ec230fb76de Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Springer Opera House opening in 1871 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Origins - Local Life in Columbus Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/14/2025 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Diego Montes Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Sebastian Ocando, Ty Gable. Relation A related resource Liberty Theater Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Coloration Is the photograph black and white or in color Black and White Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Springer Opera House opening in 1871 Description An account of the resource Exterior view of the Springer Opera House, opened February 21, 1871. Designed by architect Daniel Matthew Foley, the building stands as one of the oldest surviving performance halls in Columbus, Georgia. Its elaborate façade captures the elegance of 19th-century theater design, standing as a timeless emblem of Columbus’s cultural and artistic legacy. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 21, 1871 Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Sebastian Ocando, Ty Gable. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Robert M. Craig, “Springer Opera House,” SAH Archipedia, edited by Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley (Charlottesville: UVA Press, 2012), accessed October 12, 2025, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/GA-01-215-0026 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/e4b1abdc0cad9c53ae3c11afe61e246e.png c32b6ee7307e65463a64e55a828c86ae Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Royal Theatre ready for its opening in 1928 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Origins - Local Life in Columbus Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/14/2025 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Diego Montes Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Sebastian Ocando, Ty Gable. Relation A related resource Liberty Theater Website A resource comprising of a web page or web pages and all related assets ( such as images, sound and video files, etc. ). Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Royal Theatre ready for its opening in 1928. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1928 Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Sebastian Ocando, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Ty Gable. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived “The Royal Theatre ready for its grand opening in 1928,” Cinema Treasures, uploaded by dallasmovietheaters, October 25, 2015, image, Columbus, GA, https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/4945/photos/140596 Description An account of the resource The Royal Theatre in 1928, stood as one of the early landmarks in the cultural development of Columbus. More than just a venue, the theater quickly became a central hub for entertainment, community gatherings, and the performing arts. Its presence marked the beginning of a more structured and visible cultural identity for the city, laying the foundation for future artistic and social enrichment. advertising Columbus Columbus GA Georgia Grand movie theaters movies Photo Plays Photograph The Grand Theatre https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/286dc976e0b702f94346187c6e5b9ccd.jpg 3df7f70bfab3867c3a1641c0f0e336b5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource First Historical photo of Liberty Theater Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Origins - Local Life in Columbus Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/14/2025 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Diego Montes Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Sebastian Ocando, Ty Gable. Relation A related resource Liberty Theater Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource First Historical photo of Liberty Theater Description An account of the resource An important photograph of the Liberty Theatre shortly after its opening in 1925. The building invites patrons to experience a vibrant mix of films and live performances. As the only theater in Columbus where African Americans could attend during segregation, the Liberty Theatre served as a vital cultural and social hub for the Black community, hosting everything from silent movies to vaudeville acts. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1925 Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Sebastian Ocando and Ty Gable Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived “Downtown,” Columbus, Georgia: Hear Us Talking, Georgia Public Library Service, accessed October 12, 2025, https://georgialibraries.omeka.net/s/CVL-Columbus-Georgia-Hear-Us-Talking/page/downtown https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/f2917c18e89fbb1ebe8eebc819c729e0.pdf 48c8dac7ae7cd70708bd95b8b18a4975 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document NPS Form 10-900 (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service For NPS use only received OCT - 4 1983 date entered National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries-complete applicable sections 1. Name historic Apollo Theater and/or common 2. Location street & number 253 West 125th Street __not for publication city, town New York vicinity of congressional district state New York code 36 county New York code 061 3. Classification Category __district [x] building(s) __structure __site __object Ownership __public [x] private __both Status [x]occupied __unoccupied __work in progress Present Use __agriculture __commercial __educational [x]entertainment __government __industrial __military __museum __park __private residence __religious __scientific __transportation __other: Public Acquisition [NA] in progress [NA] being considered Accessible [X] yes: restricted __yes: unrestricted __no 4. Owner of Property name Inner City Broadcasting Corporation c/o Percy Sutton street & number 802 Second Avenue city, town New York __vicinity of state New York 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Surrogates Court / Hall of Records street & number 31 Chambers Street city, town New York state New York 6. Representation in Existing Surveys title Landmarks Preservation Commission Urban Cultural Resources Surveys 1/6/83 has this property been determined eligible? X yes __no date 1983 __federal __state __county [x]local depository for survey records 20 Vesey Street city, town New York state New York 10007 7. Description Condition __excellent [x] good __fair __deteriorated __ruins __unexposed Check one __unaltered [x] altered Check one [x] original site __moved date NA Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance The Apollo Theater is located in the heart of Harlem on the north side of 125th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, a large and busy com- mercial street containing a variety of 19th and 20th century build- ings. The three-story building, measuring four bays wide on its principal street facade, has been altered over the years but retains most of its early 20th century character. Originally the building contained a cafe and cabaret in the basement, a burlesque theater and store on the main floor, a restaurant on the second floor, and loft and meeting rooms on the third floor. Today the second and third floors above the lobby are divided into small rooms and serve as offices and storage space. The south and principal facade is clad with white terra-cotta. The first floor incorporates several remodeling campaigns and the addition of a contemporary storefront with modern windows and doors. Above, the original ashlar coursed white glazed terra-cotta embellished with a denticulated cornice extends the width of the building. Five colossal pilasters divide the upper facade into four bays. These pilasters on the ends are panelled, with stylized Tuscan capitals. The three central pilasters are fluted with Ionic capitals. A heavy modillioned metal cornice is surmounted by three parapet-like pedestals placed above the central pilasters. The bays are filled with large square windows with terra-cotta spandrels. The spandrels above the second story are decorated with fluted heraldic panels bearing shields. Narrow spandrels above the third story are decorated with Greek fretwork. The windows consist of both paired double-hung sash and a single-pane pivot type with a single transom in the two upper eastern bays and three lower western bays. A heavy marquee above the entrance that bears the word "Apollo" on the two sides, extends across half the building, covering the width of the sidewalk. A large vertical two-sided sign also bearing the name "Apollo" rises above and perpendicular to the building, supported by metal framework. Both signs date from the 1940's. The theater's original L-shape plan remains intact, retaining its entry sequence through a vestibule and lobby and into the main auditorium. The front portion of the building is divided into two equal sections: the western half consisting of the vestibule and lobby to the Apollo and the eastern half a separate store. The rear of the structure consists of a three-tiered auditorium. The theater is oriented on a perpendicular axis to the entrance with the stage at the east wall of the building. The lobby, separated from the street by a small vestibule, retains its original volume and rectangular shape plan, although its finishes were removed in the 1960's. A large mural portraying black artists who have performed at the Apollo has been installed along the lobby walls leading to the auditorium. [page break] NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service For NPS use only received date entered National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form Continuation Sheet Apollo Theater 253 W. 125th St. N.Y. Item number 7 Page 2 The auditorium is rectangular in plan and three stories in height. The floor of the orchestra is raked toward the stage, divided by two center aisles. The rows of seating are tiered and placed on a curve to provide for the best possible views. Monumental arches flank the proscenium and frame two levels of double-tiered boxes. The entablature and arches are decorated with classically inspired plaster ornament, including foliation and circle motifs. The Apollo is one of the few theaters remaining in New York City with two balconies. The balconies, each reached by a separate set of stairs, curve around the back of the auditorium. They are supported on the orchestra level by fluted columns (stripped on the lower portions) and on the first balcony level by square columns with simple molded capitals. The balconies have brass handrails and the front panels retain much original classically inspired plaster ornament, including Greek fretwork, shields, wreaths, garlands, and rope moldings. The interior of the Apollo Theater has retained much of its original character despite several minor renovations from the 1930's-1970's. These interior alterations include: replacement of the original seating and carpeting, stripping of the ornamental plaster from the lower boxes, and removal of the scagliola fluting from the columns supporting the balcony on the orchestra level. 8. Significance Period __prehistoric __1400-1499 __1500-1599 __1600-1699 __1700-1799 __1800-1899 [x] 1900-- Areas of Significance--Check and justify below __archeology-prehistoric __archeology-historic __agriculture [x]architecture __art __commerce __communications __community planning __conservation __economics __education __engineering __exploration/settlement __industry __invention __landscape architecture __law __literature __military [x] music __philosophy __politics/government __religion __science __sculpture __social/humanitarian [x] theater __transportation __other (specify Specific dates 1913 Builder/Architect George Keister Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Apollo Theater is historically and architecturally significant for its role as one of New York City's and the nation's leading entertainment centers for over four decades. Completed in 1914 as a burlesque house, it later became the premier performance hall for black American performers and a symbol of the movement to promote black cultural awareness in the 1930s. Its contribution as a nuturing force and a showcase of black talent ranks it as one of this country's most significant cultural resources. The Apollo's interior, with its classically inspired ornament, retains much of its original character, providing associations with its history as a theater. During much of the nineteenth century, Harlem was a fashionable suburb for wealthy and upper-middle class white Manhattan residents. At the turn of the century, following the completion of subway routes, speculative overbuilding of rowhouses and apartment buildings resulted in a real estate bust in 1904. At this time, major black neighborhoods, (the west side, streets 20s-60s), were experiencing redevelopment and the residents were being displaced. The combination of available real estate in Harlem and displacement from other neighborhoods made Harlem attractive to New York City blacks, who began to move into Harlem around 1910. This migration increased during the 1920s as blacks moved to Harlem from the American south and the West Indies. During these years, Harlem became the urban cultural capital of black America. The "center" of Harlem was then considered to be around 135th Street, between Lenox and Seventh Avenues. By the 1930s, as the black population moved southward, 125th Street, already a major shopping and entertainment throughfare, became the "Main Street" of black Harlem. Built as Hurtig and Seamon's New (Burlesque) Theater, the Apollo originally catered to a primarily white clientele and presented the popular entertainment of the day: burlesque. The New Theater was in operation until 1934, when a crackdown on burlesque shows was undertaken by Mayor La Guardia's administration. In 1935 Frank Schiffman and Leo Brecher, two white businessmen, purchased the building and renamed it the Apollo Theater. Under their direction, the theater presented a permanent variety show format which featured leading black entertainers. 9. Major Bibliographical References Apollo Theater. The Apollo Theater Story. New York: Apollo Operations, Inc. 1966. Schiffman, Jack. Uptown: The Story of Harlem's Apollo Theater. New York: Cowles Book Co., Inc., 1971. Shockley, Jay. Apollo Theater-Designation Report. New York: Landmarks Preservation Commission, 1983. 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Approximately 2/5 of an acre Quadrangle name Central Park, N.Y. - N.J. Quadrangle scale 1:24000 UT M References A. Zone 18 Easting 588550 Northing 4517990 B Zone__ Easting______ Northing_______ C D E F G H Verbal boundary description and justification The boundary of the Apollo Theater, 253 West 125th Street, is shown as the bold line on the accompanying plot map. List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries [NA] state code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title Contact: Merrill Hesch organization NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation date September 1983 street & number E.S.P. Agency Bldg. 1 telephone 518 474-0479 city or town Albany state New York 12238 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: [X] national __state __local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature title Commissioner date 9-22-83 For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register [illegible signature], Keeper of the National Register date 11/17/83 Attest: date Chief of Registration GPO 894-785 [page break] NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service For NPS use only received date entered National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form Apollo Theater Continuation Sheet Apollo Theater 253 W. 125th St., New York, New York Co. Item number 8 Page 2 The Apollo became the center for Harlem's popular entertainment and one of the nation's most important arenas for the display of leading black performing talent for a period of four decades. "Harlem recognized no popular entertainer until he or she had appeared or excelled at the Apollo. "1 Throughout its history, it displayed every form of popular black entertainment, including comedy, drama, dance, gospel, blues, jazz, swing, bebop, rhythm and blues, rock and roll and soul music. In programing such a variety of black entertainers, the Apollo's management contributed to the development of Harlem into the major urban cultural and intellectural center for blacks in the United States. "The Apollo," according to former New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Chairman Kent L. Barwick, "is unparelleled in shaping both the careers of major black performers and a variety of forms of American entertainment. Nearly every black American performer has played the Apollo, from blues singer Bessie Smith in the 1930s, to jazz great Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, to Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, and the Supremes, through soul singer Aretha Franklin and James Brown in the 1970s. It is no wonder that the Apollo, aside from having had an extraordinary impact on our culture, has become synonymous with Harlem itself."2 Designed by architect George Keister in the neoclassical style, the Apollo retains much of its original character. The 1700-seat theater auditorium features a proscenium arch with flanking boxes and elaborate classically inspired plaster ornament. The Apollo is one of the few theaters remaining in New York City with two balconies. The Apollo's exterior, faced in white terra cotta, handsomely displays five colossal pilasters capped by stylized Tuscan and Ionic capitals decorated with anthemion motifs. Keister was one of the most prominent theater architects in practice at the turn of the century. He worked throughout the metropolitan area designing the Sewlyn and the Belasco Theaters in Times Square, the Colonial Theater at 68th Street and Broadway, Loew's Yorkville (demolished), and the Bronx's Opera House. 1. Jervis Anderson, This was Harlem; A. Cultural Portrait, 1900-1950 (New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1982) p. 238. 2. "Landmark News" (New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission), June 29, 1983. [page break] NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service For NPS use only received date entered National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form Apollo Theater Continuation Sheet Apollo Theater 253 W. 125th St., New York, New York Co. Item number 8 Page 3 The Apollo Theater's continuous tradition of live entertainment since the 1910s (which featured leading black performers since the 1930s) came to an end in the mid-1970s. A number of factors are usually cited for the Apollo's decline, including dwindling audiences, higher ticket prices, the opening of other arenas to black patronage, the decline of stage shows in the recording era, the ease with which top-name black performers could earn more money elsewhere, and the decline of 125th Street as a healthy commercial center. The building has subsequently had a mixed history: as a movie theater with occasional shows, a short-lived attempt to revive live entertainment without top names, years of standing vacant, and the sale to the Harlem Urban Development Corporation. The Apollo Theater remains, however, as a building of great significance in the history of American culture, representing the contribution of Harlem and black Americans to the entertainment of New York City and the nation. FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service For HCRS use only received date entered National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form Continuation Sheet Apollo Theater 253 W. 125th St., N.Y. Co. New York Item number 11 Page 2 Form Prepared By: Michael May, Graduate Research Assistant Carol Clark, Associate Director Elizabeth Igleheart, Reasearch Consultant Organization: New York Landmarks Conservancy 330 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036 Telephone: (212) 736- 7575 Date: August 19, 1983 [page break] Apollo Theater 253 West 125th St. New York, New York Co., NY General Plot Plan 1929 Manhattan Land Book Updated March 1974 Scale 1200'=1" BUILDING ZONE RESTRICTIONS HEIGHT ZONES All properties in this plate are in zone 1 ½ and the height of the buildings is restricted to 1 ½ times the width of the Street or Avenue on which they front [page break] 83004059 WASO Form 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Apollo Theater New York County NEW YORK Substantive Review Working No. OCT 4 1983 Fed. Reg. Date: 2/5/83 Date Due: 11/3/83 - 11/18/83 Action: [x] ACCEPT 11/17/83 __ RETURN __REJECT __Federal Agency: [ ] resubmission [ ] nomination by person or local government [ ] owner objection [ ] appeal Substantive Review: [ ] sample [ ] request [ ] appeal [ ] NR decision Reviewer's comments: The Apollo Theater is significant for its historical associations with the development of Harlem into the nation's major black cultural and intellectual center. The statement of significance does not provide adequate justification for architectural significance but mini- mally established the exceptional importance of the theater to American history. Recom./Criteria Accept A Reviewer Bushay Discipline Historian Date 11/17/83 ____see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: ___technical corrections cited below ___substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Status Present Use Public Acquisition Accessible 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? [ ] yes [ ] no 7. Description Condition [ ] excellent [ ] good [ ] fair [ ]deteriorated [ ] ruins [ ] unexposed Check one [ ]unaltered [ ]altered Check one [ ] original site [ ] moved date__________ Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance [ ]summary paragraph [ ]completeness [ ]clarity [ ]alterations/integrity [ ]dates [ ] boundary selection 8. Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) [ ] summary paragraph [ ] completeness [ ] clarity [ ] applicable criteria The initial significance of the Apollo Theatre is its historical associations with the emergence of Harlem in the 1930s as a black cultural mecca. The direct role the theater played in the literary, artistic and cultural lives of black Americans has not been discussed justification of areas checked at a national level of significance. In addition, events after 1935 relating significance to the resource were not demonstrated to be exceptionally significant and lack context both geographic and thematic context. In this case the nomination relationship of integrity to significance was acceptable for its obvious local significance, but it did justification of exception not do justice to the resource. other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state local State Historic Preservation Officer signature title date 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed Date Phone: Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet NEW YORK LANDMARKS CONSERVANCY Apollo Theatre 253 West 125th Street New York, New York County, N.Y. photo 1 Photographer: Carl Forester Date Taken: October 1981 Negative filed at: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission View looking north along W. 125th St. New York Landmarks Conservancy Broadway New York, New York 10004 LANDMARKS Apollo Theatre 253 West 125th Street CONSERVANCY New York, New York County, N.Y. photo 2 Photographer: Carl Forester Date Taken: October 1981 Negative filed at: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior view of stage, looking east New York Landmarks Conservancy 330 West® 42nd Street 330 W. 42nd Street New York, New York 10036v York, New York 10036 212-736-7575 212-736-7575 UT L NEW YORK Apollo Theater LANDMARKS 253 West 125th Street CONSERVANCY New York, New York County, N.Y. photo 3 Photographer: Carl Forester Date Taken: October 1981 Negative filed at: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Side boxes New York Landmarks Conservancy Broadway 330 W. 42nd Street York, New York 10004 New York, New York 10036 212-426-4085. 212-736-7575 UNITED STATES X CENTRAL PARK QUADRANGLE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) 74°,00' ISADES. 585000m.E YONKERS HALL) SW/4 HARLEM 15' QUADRANGLE 586 TE 7 MI 57'30" 588 40°52'30" (YONKERS) 590 591 55 593 2030000 FEET (N.Y.) 73°52'30" 40°52'30" 4525000m.N ENGI Englewood 4525 Tubby Hook Englewood Sewage Bedford Cliffs \Park Yicht NEW 740 000 LEONIA Linwood CRMAN 4524 L AS 230 000 FEET (N.Y.) 4523 Hazard SHAN Beach 4523 4 Hospital FORT LEE Point Morris Heights Tremont PALISADES PARK Park. Lcal 4522 B MI. PS Playg B 0 N Club 4521 Bridge 95 . 50' 4 Monroe Apollo Theater 253 West 125th Street New York County, New York UTM Reference: dgewater Central Park Quad 4520 All Zone 18 Seb Easting 588550 Northing 4517990 CLIFFSIDE PARK NEW H90 M H 4519 FAIRVIEW Bronx Fire Sta Sch Park EDGE Girlst Monastery WE Hunts Point FLUS (FLUSHING) 6265 4518 Sewage Disposal Port North Brother Light 4517 Bron: Barretto FERRY Hunts 4517 Harlem Randalls Island Stony Pt V PARK Brother 4516 ME 47'30" Leight Lawrence 47'30" Point 4516 ISLAND GUTTENBERG NEW YORK RESERVOIR THE IN BRONX CO 02 RIKE TORA Hayden CHANNEL Substation 4515 Light Gate Historical I Light Tidal Flat _ Hell Hallets Pot Bowery Bay LA GUARD Doctors GEN E AIRPORT 200 000 190 Steinway (N. Com ark Ai erminal TUNNEL 4 Halles Cove #Fire North APS 83 4513 EME # U E N S OF T YORK PS151 Heights WEST Long 4512000m.N THE 700 000 FEET (N.J.) NATION 40°45' 74°00' HOLLAND TUNNEL 2010 000 FEET (N Y.) 57'30 589 (BROOKL MIDTOWN 7.7 591 55' 2210000 FEE 593 40°45' 6265 Mapped edited and published by the Geological Survey BRIDGE 594000m.E. 73°52'30" GERREY CITY SCALE 1:24000 Revised in cooperation with New York MILE Department of Transportation ROAD CLASSIFICATION 1000 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 FEET Control by USGS, USC&GS, and New Jersey Geodetic Survey Heavy duty Light-duty KILOMETER Planimetry by photogrammetric methods and from USC&GS Charts T-4567, Medium-duty Unimproved dirt T-5089 T-5264, T-5278, T-5448, T-5449, T-5451, T-5452, T-5453, T-5458, 213 MILS CONTOUR INTERVAL 10 FEET 12 MILS and T-5778. Topography by photogrammetric methods from aerial photographs NATIONAL GEODETIC VERTICAL DATUM OF 1929 Interstate Route U.S. Route State Route taken 1954 and planetable surveys 1956 DEPTH CURVES AND SOUNDINGS IN IS MEAN LOW WATER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DATUMS IS VARIABLE NEW YORK Revised from aerial photographs taken 1966. Field checked 1966 UTM GRID AND 1979 NORTH SHORELINE SHOWN REPRESENTS THE APPROXMATE LINE OF MEAN HIGH WATER Selected hydrographic data compiled from USC&GS Charts 226, 274, 745, DECLINATION AT CENTER OF SHEET THE AVERAGE RANGE OF TIDE APPROXIMATELY FEET CENTRAL PARK, N.Y.-N.J. 4 FEET IN THE HUDSON RIVER AND 5. FEET IN THF EAST RIVER 746, and 74 (1966). This information s'not intended for navigational purposes QUADRANGLE LOCATION SW/4 HARLEM 15' QUADRANOLE Polyconic projection. 1927 North American datum THIS MAP COMPLIES WITH NATIONAL MAP ACCURAGY STANDARDS Revisions shown in purple compiled from aerial photographs N4045-W7352.5/7.5 10,000 foot grids based on New York coordinate system, Long Island zone, FOR SALE BY U. GEOLOGICAL SURIEY RESTON, VIRGINIA 22092 taken 1977 and other source data This information and New Jersey coordinate system A FOLDER DESCRIBING TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS AND SYMBOLS IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST 1966 not field checked. Map edited 1979 PHOTOREVISED 1979 1000 meter Universal Transverse Mercator grid zone 18, shown in blue There may be private inholdings within the boundaries of AMS 6265 IV SW-SERIES V821 Red tint indicates areas in which only landmark buildings are shown the National or State reservations shown Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Apollo Theatre National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form Description An account of the resource A scanned nomination form from 1983 for the Apollo Theater to the National Park Service to be recognized as a registered Historic Place. This follows after the Apollo was forced to close in 1976 due to the degradation of the facility, lack of attendance due to mediascape changes and financial hardship. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Destinee Rouse Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived National Park Service, & Hesch, M., National Register of Historic Places Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: New York; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, Records of the National Park Service, Record Group 79, National Archives at College Park - Electronic Records, College Park, MD. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75319263 Bessie Smith blues Count Basie dance jazz Louis Armstrong https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/a6958e77fab881f07f080ef284b4f102.gif 8ea6f53d820d1c163bae1a2c151a80a9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Broad Street North 11th Street, Columbus, GA 1897 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Origins - Local Life in Columbus Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/14/2025 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Diego Montes Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Sebastian Ocando, Ty Gable. Relation A related resource Liberty Theater Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Broad Street North11th Street, Columbus, GA1897 Description An account of the resource Historic view of Broad Street looking north from 11th Street. Commercial buildings, urban activity, and the early Columbus scene in the late 19th century are visible Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1897 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.columbusga.gov/history/ Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Sebastian Ocando, Diego Montes, Enluis Montes, Eva Ruiz, Ty Gable https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/9c41d24b9fd80e0e2d998f6ce432aa96.jpg 6a712974c50dadcc83ef9a1f1c33d871 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Broad Street, Columbus GA, 1900 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/11eea10ebe36c35265eae231cb0da28b.jpg 6a712974c50dadcc83ef9a1f1c33d871 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Origins - Local Life in Columbus Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/14/2025 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Diego Montes Language A language of the resource English Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Sebastian Ocando, Ty Gable. Relation A related resource Liberty Theater Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Broad Street, Columbus GA, 1900 Description An account of the resource It shows a main street in Columbus, with streetcars, carriages, and pedestrians bustling about in the city. It gives an idea of ​​what the city center looked like at the dawn of the 20th century, with commerce, early public transportation, and everyday life Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Sebastian Ocando, Diego Montes, Eva Ruiz, Enluis Montes, Ty Gable Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://bikewalk.life/2021/04/when-streets-were-for-everyone-columbus-ga-in-1900/ https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/f4012baae2ec372b7644c1bd934fa6fe.pdf 5b5a00bab006692935e1a7bfd49a6790 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/72cf263d00ee7e039738559828b2cdd8.jpg 1d2e1180b051a214bf5678e9798a4b22 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/9f5b727170aaa6fbfa9fb00ef7b08772.jpg a7a011e68f4cd1d089a8c4fbb0e93842 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/030bc0ef779a46da8d258ad7f94941f3.jpg 5fffb1519f07bc308814d9cbf49298bb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Fontaine Rare Book Collections Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context BV 4909.Q5 1864 Title A name given to the resource Balm for the Weary and the Wounded Description An account of the resource Popular Confederate devotional. The book was well worn with pages torn and falling out. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Quintard, C. T. (Charles Todd) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Book Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Digitized by Columbus State University students for educational and archival purposes. Subject The topic of the resource Civil War Era Devotional Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Columbia (S.C): Evans & Cogswell, printers Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Michael Bank Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. Bettie Shorter, believed to be Mary Elisabeth Short, appears to have owned this book at one time. Bettie Shorter Christian Devotional Columbia Columbus Confederate Confederate Army Confederate States of America Confederates Devotional Evans & Cogswell John Fontaine Mary Elisabeth Shorter Quintard rare book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Fontaine Rare Book Collections Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Book- 1863 Spelling Book/Primer by Salem Town. Located at Columbus State University Archive. Call number PE 1144. T6. 1863. John Fontaine Library. Title A name given to the resource Town's New Speller and Definer Description An account of the resource Book. 4 5/8" x 7 1/8". Paper covered board and red cloth binding. Worn cover, split binding. Front matter is missing, likely the title page and table of contents page. The first page of preface is torn. Several torn/damaged pages throughout the book. Contains stamp inside front cover: W.L. Chaffin Bookseller, Stationer, Newsdealer. Columbus, Georgia Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863 Edition Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salem Town (1779-1864) Extent The size or duration of the resource. 168 pages Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Images Language A language of the resource English Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Book Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Digitized by Columbus State University for educational and archival purposes. Subject The topic of the resource Speller/Primer Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Published for Albert Mason by Hurd and Houghton Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Digitized by Stephanie Smith for Dr. Bryan Banks History of the Book class, Fall 2025. Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1863 book Columbus GA Columbus State University Columbus State University Archives CSU Archives Digitization Project Fontaine Collection History of the Book Fall 2025 Hurd and Houghton John Fontaine Library rare book Town's New Speller and Definer https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/dfe1ff6e57603dcec2c4f64f2424eea6.pdf d2d6722be99a87b41e95d4dec68fdd98 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource African American Theatres In Georgia: Preserving An Entertainment Legacy Description An account of the resource A thesis examining the history of four African American theatres (including the Liberty) in the state of Georgia. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource J.L. Ellerbee Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The University of Georgia Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Quinton Benner Ruth Conry Jonathan Anuforo Robert Ralston Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Ellerbee, J. L. (2004). African American Theatres In Georgia: Preserving An Entertainment Legacy (thesis). University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. https://openscholar.uga.edu/record/9715?v=pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Bessie Smith Cab Calloway Duke Ellington Fats Waller history Lena Horne liberty Liberty Theatre ma rainey Marian Anderson https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/01deb07ce278b1a2fb9b85db0c1dc4cd.pdf 3b39b2f9da9806fcddc118c564dad3e8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Fontaine Rare Book Collections Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Vast Army: An Allegory Description An account of the resource The Vast Army: An Allegory is 145 pages in length, and features a marbled front cover, a partially missing/damaged spine, and is most likely bound through sewing. It is a religious allegorical novel that follows three boys who are divinely appointed by a mysterious messenger to lead an army for a benevolent king. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Reverend Edward Monro Extent The size or duration of the resource. 145 pages Language A language of the resource English Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Digitized by Columbus State University students for educational and archival purposes. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available General Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union And Church Book Society. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource History of the Book Class, Fall 2025 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF document Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 19th century Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PS2419.M6 V3 Columbus State University Digitization Project early print culture Fall 2025 history of the book rare book special collections university archives https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/41d37d0b9534ef73a967d4626ed30062.pdf 1b3a23e2f315e948e819cece2ea1dfec https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/e6789f4b2953ba11314a7910c5b61728.pdf edd218eef2ea281e673b854b04165b07 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/3214b85ddfcd194dd82987acc7377f0b.pdf d44e264d7ed85ef32f414a002824e9e7 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/554ae2813e97dfecfedee98252e2b343.pdf 10582dfc2d8dd8b8197f6e4e2ec330c2 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/bcababfdd41362dfb973ebd71337ff70.pdf 94d8e2094f95f5a8af77f7f873212250 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/0f84c8c8cd3f829d725a6339e336d5ca.pdf e2e82d2a50442d99e5c60cf71a97c493 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/35d62b786e5989b711aa4a729b01e58a.pdf a16a0ac6772b0a33eb80712226f58259 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/5d633d142fa088fca95e2267945fd8a1.pdf dd2346d25f556debc4c6a991afe45982 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/d6b5750ad263d4b18f89a290e3128a38.pdf 133f5b34b4b935c39ea81942ce6b4f04 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/350cd0479b2bde00baf47b0408d2ba61.pdf b356ae2a929b4e9c86871da982f15920 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/263d684f0a8ca2f01ef6fab4dc1e8ecf.pdf 29f3e45014cf4b0c14925cec43d6e693 https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/55571a9177e5226f070d21c3e7ba7abf.pdf aea62f02467ff190b3ac5431af94a9cf https://digitalarchives.columbusstate.edu/files/original/7e62b664cb7f97ed256200dee385e57e.pdf 73141474050a72c7f4b46d1a980ca88d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Fontaine Rare Book Collections Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource William Herbert; OR, Religion at School. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1848 Language A language of the resource English Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Digitized by Columbus State University students for educational and archival purposes. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Taylor Smith, History of the Book Class Fall 2025 Description An account of the resource This book was a part of the John Fontaine book collection. It was gifted to him by his Aunt Susan on September 11, 1849. It was originally written for the American Sunday-School Union. It is considered a children's book with a storyline about a young boy named William Herbert, who is introduced to the Christian faith after experiencing various troubles while away at boarding school. The physical book remains intact, featuring a marbled hardcover. The spine has a lot of wear, resulting in the seams of the pages being visible on the exterior and causing the book to be in a fragile condition. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 706-507-8672 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF document 1848 archives book children's book collection Columbus State University Digitization Project digitized early print culture educational Fall 2025 Fontaine Fontaine Collection historical history history of the book John Fontaine rare book religion Religion at School research special collections story university archives William Herbert