Memorial Auditorium (Louisville, Kentucky)

Memorial Auditorium

Entrance to the auditorium
Address 970 S. 4th St.
Louisville, Kentucky
United States
Owner Louisville Memorial Commission
Operator Louisville Memorial Commission
Capacity 1,742
Opened 1927 (1927)
Website

www.louisvillememorialauditorium.com

Louisville War Memorial Auditorium
Coordinates 38°14′21″N 85°45′36″W / 38.23917°N 85.76000°W / 38.23917; -85.76000Coordinates: 38°14′21″N 85°45′36″W / 38.23917°N 85.76000°W / 38.23917; -85.76000
Area 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Architect Carrere & Hasting
Architectural style Beaux Arts
NRHP Reference # 77000625[1]
Added to NRHP December 27, 1977

Louisville Memorial Auditorium, located at 970 South Fourth Street, is a concert venue of Greek Revival design. It was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1929, as a memorial to the people of Louisville who served in World War I. In 1954, the ceiling was lowered and the side balconies were closed off reducing the seating capacity from 2,349 to 1,742 to improve the acoustics.

Memorial Auditorium is home of the world's largest Pilcher organ and the largest operating theater organ in the region.[2] This historic four-manual instrument with 5,288 pipes has been in operation since opening. The acoustic renovation all but completely closed off the pipe chambers from the renovated hall. It has been designated a landmark by the Louisville Landmarks Commission and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Although it is now used mainly by organizations for recitals, graduations, etc., it hosted many rock concerts in the 1960s and 1970s, including The Rolling Stones, Chicago, Bruce Springsteen, and Kiss.[3]

References

  1. National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. "Louisville Organs - Louisville Memorial Auditorium". The American Guild of Organists - Louisville Chapter. Louisville AGO. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  3. http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2015/04/01/fans-return-stone-age-concerts/70789248/


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