Riverfront in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Thalian Hall

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

1. Thalian Hall Marker

Inscription.
Built 1855-1858 as city hall and as theater for the Thalian Association, an amateur theatrical company formed c. 1788.

Erected 2021 by North Carolina Office of Archives and History. (Marker Number D-49.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 34° 14.208′ N, 77° 56.765′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in Riverfront. Marker is at the intersection of North 3rd Street and Princess Street, on the right when traveling north on North 3rd Street. Marker is located along the sidewalk, at the northeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 North 3rd Street, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wilmington & New Hanover County War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (a few steps from this marker); Freedom Flame (a few steps from this marker); Colonel James Innes (a few steps from this marker); President William H. Taft

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(a few steps from this marker); Fort Fisher (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); StarNews Media Time Capsule (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Regarding Thalian Hall. National Register of Historic Places #70000464, as "City Hall/Thalian Hall." Also a contributing property in Wilmington Historic District, NRHP #74001364.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Thalian Hall

Also see . . .
1. The History and Construction of Thalian Hall.

Physically its difficult to overestimate its importance in the citys downtown. The building was constructed on a rise above the Cape Fear River and according to Tony Rivenbark, Thalian Halls executive director, it stands “like an Acropolis over the city.” The origins of the building can be found in the minutes of the Town Commissioners in May 1853 but the references are at best cryptic. What would eventually become Thalian was first referred to by commissioners who appointed a committee
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

2. Thalian Hall Marker
(looking northeast from North 3rd & Princess intersection • Wilmington City Hall in background)
to seek a suitable site for a “public building to be used as a Town Hall.”

(Submitted on May 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Historic Thalian Hall.

Since its construction in 1855-1858, the City Hall/Thalian Hall building has had the unusual distinction of serving as both the area's political and cultural center. Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, Thalian Hall is the only surviving theatre designed by John Montague Trimble, one of America's foremost 19th-century theatre architects. It was built at a time when Wilmington was the largest city in the state. The new building housed the town government, the library, as well as an "Opera House", seating 1,000 people, which was 10% of the population of the Town.

(Submitted on May 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. City Hall-Thalian Hall National Register of Historic Places Nomination.

Thalian Hall is a two-story building resting on basement and is constructed of stuccoed brick. The exterior shows an interesting combination of restrained neo-classical design with flamboyant Victorian details. The five bay façade of City Hall facing Third Street features a tetra-style Corinthian Portico. The columns are fluted and the capitals are
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

3. Historic Thalian Hall Entrance (south side of building)
Administered by
Thalian Hall Center for
the Performing Arts, Inc.
Please use Chestnut St.
entrance — on the other
side of the building
for ticket information
call 343-3664
very delicately executed and lightly proportioned.

(Submitted on May 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Thalian Hall (<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

4. Thalian Hall (south elevation)

Thalian Hall (<i>north elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

5. Thalian Hall (north elevation)

Wilmington City Hall (<i>west elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

6. Wilmington City Hall (west elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.