U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Lincoln Theatre and Lincoln Colonnade

1215 U Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

Lincoln Theatre and Lincoln Colonnade Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, April 26, 2008

1. Lincoln Theatre and Lincoln Colonnade Marker

Inscription. The Lincoln Theatre, built by white theater magnate Harry Crandall, opened in 1922 under African American management as U Street's most elegant first-run movie house. With 1,600 seats, it also was one of the biggest. In addition to films, the Lincoln hosted vaudeville and amateur competitions. The Lincoln Colonnade, a public hall once located below and behind the theater, held "battles of the bands" featuring local and national entertainers as well as annual balls organized by social clubs. With desegregation in the 1950s, the Lincoln Theatre began to lose its audience, and it closed in 1983. It reopened in 1994 as a performing arts center.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 38° 55.027′ N, 77° 1.737′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in U Street Corridor. Marker is on U Street Northwest east of 13th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. The theatre is on the north side of U Street, mid-way between 12th and 13th

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Streets, NW. The marker is on the wall, west of theatre's main entrance doors. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1215 U Street Northwest, Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ben's Chili Bowl / Minnehaha Theater (a few steps from this marker); You Had To Wear a Tie (within shouting distance of this marker); Marlon Francisco Morales (within shouting distance of this marker); The True Reformer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrial Bank of Washington (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site (about 500 feet away); "We had everything we needed right here." (about 600 feet away); "Old Man River" (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

More about this marker.
(Caption:)
Lincoln Colonnade costume party.
Scurlock Studio Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 24, 2016

2. Lincoln Theatre and Lincoln Colonnade Marker.

The marker is to the left of the Theatre entrance.

The Lincoln Theatre - U Street, NW image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, April 26, 2008

3. The Lincoln Theatre - U Street, NW

Lincoln Colonnade Costume Party image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014

4. Lincoln Colonnade Costume Party

Close-up of photo on marker

Lincoln Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014

5. Lincoln Theatre

Architectural Detail<br>Lincoln Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014

6. Architectural Detail
Lincoln Theatre

2015 at the Lincoln Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014

7. 2015 at the Lincoln Theatre

Beginning with Jerry Lewis

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,405 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on May 25, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on July 24, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3. submitted on May 25, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 3, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.