Foggy Bottom in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ingrid Bergman
Lisner Auditorium
— The George Washington University —
Lisner Auditorium was built in 1946, boasting the biggest stage south of New York City. On its opening night, October 29, 1946, the famed 29 year-old actress Ingrid Bergman was starring in Joan of Lorraine. When Ms. Bergman found out that African-Americans could not attend the performance due to the city's Jim Crow laws, she made her displeasure at segregation known to all who would listen. Unable to void her contract, she performed the play but inspired protests and picket lines outside of Lisner during her performances. As time passed, more and more people protested segregation at Lisner Auditorium and threatened to boycott all plays and other events for as long as the policy remained in effect. The GW Board of Trustees decided to reverse its policy of segregation in 1947, admitting African-Americans as patrons of Lisner.
Artist: Calder Brannock, CCAS BA '07
Erected 2012 by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 29, 1889.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 53.972′ N, 77° 2.807′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in Foggy Bottom. Marker was at the intersection of 21st Street Northwest and H Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south on 21st Street Northwest. On the stand of one of the city police and fire departments' call boxes (now refurbished by "Art on Call" with a bust of Ingrid Bergman where the box's old-fashioned, land-line instruments were installed prior to the digital age - steps away from the GWU's "River Horse" marker, on the sidewalk at the northeast corner of Lisner Auditorium. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 730 21st Street Northwest, Washington DC 20052, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. GW's River Horse (here, next to this marker); A Bench By The Road (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named GW's River Horse (a few steps from this marker); George Gamow (within shouting distance of this marker); Professors Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); At GW, Being Bright Comes Naturally (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Teller (within shouting distance of this marker); Announcement of the Atomic Age (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 15, 2017
Also see . . . Was Lisner Auditorium Really Desegregated in 1947?. Boundary Stones website entry:
Note - the text incorrectly names the play as "Joan of Larrain". (Submitted on June 30, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,245 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on December 15, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on August 6, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 15, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 6, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.