DAR Constitution Hall
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DAR Constitution Hall is a concert hall designed by architect John Russell Pope located at 1776 D St. NW, Washington, D.C. just east of the Department of the Interior, between the American Red Cross and the Organization of American States, across from the Ellipse in front of the White House. It was built in 1929 by the Daughters of the American Revolution, which still owns the theater and holds their annual members convention inside. It seats 3,974 – 2,494 on risers and 1,480 on the floor. Additional seating is located in 52 boxes separating the floor from the risers.
It is used for concerts (including military bands), touring Broadway shows, family shows, high school graduations, and the Washington edition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It was the location where Eddie Murphy Delirious was filmed in 1983. For several decades prior to the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts about 1970, Constitution Hall was home base of the National Symphony Orchestra and the city's principal venue for touring classical musicians. Sold-out film lectures of the National Geographic Society were also held for many decades, three times a week until about 1990 when they were moved instead to the National Geographic theater. In an often-told historical incident, the Hall's management once told distinguished African-American singer Marian Anderson her requested performance date for the Hall was already booked, causing first lady Eleanor Roosevelt instead to offer her a spot to sing at the Lincoln Memorial.
Every U.S. president since Calvin Coolidge has attended at least one event at the theater.
