Hippodrome Theater

Hippodrome Theater (c. 1978)

Hippodrome Theater (2017)

Site Name: Hippodrome Theater

Date of Construction: 1914

Reason for Construction: The Hippodrome Theater was originally built to serve as a center for vaudeville entertainment and a movie theater. It was concentrated around the development of African American culture, particularly regarding the performing arts.

Site History: The Hippodrome Theater was built in 1914 on Second Street also dubbed as “The Deuce” in Jackson Ward and was a popular performance area. It started out as a vaudeville and movie theater, but it subsequently transformed into a highly admired musical setting. Not only was this theater a center for the performing arts, but it also cultivated a substantial amount of Black culture within the surrounding area. Many famous African American musicians performed at the Hippodrome Theater including, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Cab Calloway. In 1945 the building was caught on fire which caused renovation and a new architectural style. When the theater was closed again and later reopened in the 1960s it acted primarily as a movie theater.

Area History: Jackson Ward was initially constructed by European immigrants and Richmond businessmen, which is evident in the architecture of buildings on Marshall Street and Clay Street. The area that we know as Jackson Ward was subdivided by William Byrd III.  During Reconstruction, freed slaves moved into Jackson Ward and it was designated the name “The Harlem of the South” because it was the heart of African American business and recreation in the early 20th Century. Throughout the years, African Americans planned and built multiple buildings in the neighborhood such as the Maggie Walker and Taylor Mansions. Jackson Ward grew to become the most vibrant African American neighborhood in Richmond. The neighborhood housed multiple prominent churches such as Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church. This neighborhood served as a strong business community for African Americans. A prime example of this is Maggie L. Walker’s St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. This bank helped strengthen the neighborhood economically and provided a safe place for people to facilitate their financial endeavors.

What about the site has changed? The Hippodrome Theater continues to operate as a performing arts and entertainment center. Currently it is the host of private and holiday events which enables the maintenance of the building. The adjacent venue was actually the home of Reverend W.L. Taylor who was a prominent leader of the United Order of True Reformers. Through this organization, Taylor became a founder of an African American owned bank and his wealth allowed him to create the Taylor Mansion in 1907 which is now known as the Speakeasy Grill. The two sites formally act as a whole entity where the theater is used for the actual events and the dining area is the mansion. An interesting change regarding this connection is that the original bedrooms of the mansion have become the Hippodrome’s VIP box suites. Many Jazz artists continue to perform at this historic location which preserves its original purpose in terms of the culture of African Americans.

What about the surrounding area has changed? Jackson Ward has experienced many changes since the early 20th century. The area was known as the major center of African American economic and cultural activity after the Civil War. This was not only due to the limited space for the newly freed slaves to live, but also because of the sense of acceptance and opportunity they formed as a community. Social organizations like the Independent Order of St. Luke, which Maggie Lena Walker was involved in, aided in the progression of the Black community. With the end of racial segregation in the United States, communities such as Jackson Ward continued to be a majority Black neighborhood but included other races as well. Currently, with more renovation and addition of more housing apartments, it gradually fell to gentrification which transformed the culture of the area significantly. However, institutions such as the Hippodrome theater and other historical homes, monuments, and festivals sustained a piece of the expansive history of the Harlem of the South.

Reflection: This project was somewhat challenging due to the limited information provided online for the Hippodrome. Despite this setback, we did find some really interesting facts about the theater and the surrounding Jackson Ward area. As we learn and grow as an American society, it is always useful to look to the past as a way to navigate the future. It was really cool to observe the changes to the community of Jackson Ward and to understand the reasons why it changed.

Sources:

528 North Second Street. 1978. Photograph. Accessed March 19, 2017.

http://search.library.vcu.edu/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?tabs=viewOnlineTab&ct=display&fn=search&doc=VCU_CONTENTDMjwh%2f670&indx=2&recIds=VCU_CONTENTDMjwh%2f670&recIdxs=1&elementId=1&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&query=any%2Ccontains%2Chippodrome+theater+richmond+va&vl(12965624UI0)=any&search_scope=all_scope&dscnt=0&scp.scps=scope%3A%28VCU_CONTENTDM%29%2Cscope%3A%28VCU%29%2Cscope%3A%28VCU_ALMA%29%2Cscope%3A%28DBAZ%29%2Cscope%3A%28VCU_COMPASS%29%2Cprimo_central_multiple_fe&vid=VCU&institution=VCU&tab=all&dym=true&vl(freeText0)=hippodrome%20theater%20richmond%20va&dstmp=1489958642354.

"History." The Hippodrome Theater. Accessed March 19, 2017.

http://www.hippodromerichmond.com/about/history/.

"Jackson Ward Historic District." National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.

Accessed March 19, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/richmond/jacksonwardhd.html.

"Jackson Ward Historic District." VCU Libraries Digital Collections. Accessed March 19, 2017.

http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/jwh.

"The St. Luke Penny Savings Bank." National Park Service. Accessed March 19, 2017.  

https://www.nps.gov/mawa/the-st-luke-penny-savings-bank.htm

Authors: Destini Best and Nia Vaughan