Sylvan Grove Theater and Columns

The Sylvan Grove Theater and Columns,[1] also known as the Sylvan Grove Theater or simply the Sylvan Theater, is a sylvan theater located on the University of Washington campus in Seattle, Washington. Within the theater are four 24 foot (7.3 m) tall Ionic columns from the original University building downtown, constructed in 1861.[2] They are some of the oldest-standing architectural pieces in Seattle.[3] It has been called "one of the most beautiful places on campus."[4]

The Sylvan Grove Theater, with the columns in the background.

The columns were named "Loyalty", "Industry", "Faith", and "Efficiency" (LIFE) by University Comptroller Herbert T. Condon and Edmond S. Meany, head of the History Department.[2]

History

The original University of Washington building in downtown Seattle officially opened on September 16, 1861. It had a portico with four Ionic columns made of hand-fluted cedar. In 1908, as the building was about to be demolished, Edmond S. Meany saved the columns, intending that they should be used in the construction of the new campus.[2]

From 1911 through 1920, the columns stood in the Quad, near Savery, Denny, and Raitt Halls.[5] Eventually it became clear that the Greek columns could not be integrated into the University design plan, which specified Gothic architecture for the buildings on upper campus. A student design competition was organized and was won by a sophomore, Marshall W. Gill, the son of Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill.[2]

In 1921, the columns were moved to their current location in Sylvan Grove. They are maintained by the university's Facility Services, which last repaired them in 2008.[2]

The site has received attention from paranormal investigators.[6]

A roughly 175° panoramic view of the Sylvan Grove Theater from the stage. Columns can be seen at either side.

References
  1. "Sylvan Theater 13-M". Facilities Services. University of Washington. Retrieved April 29, 2015. Sylvan Grove Theater and Columns is a natural outdoor theater with a gentle sloping lawn for seating and a raised lawn for a stage. None of this area is paved with the exception of the entry paths.
  2. "The Four Columns". Office of Ceremonies. University of Washington. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  3. Campanario, Gabriel (April 20, 2012). "Quiet retreat on UW campus". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  4. Hall, Lindsey (June 9, 2011). "Campus walk, anyone? Ten places you won't want to miss". Beyond the Quad. College of Arts & Sciences, University of Washington. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  5. "Columns in front of Savery, Denny, and Raitt Halls". Seattle: University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections Division. 1920. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  6. Dwyer, Jeff (2008). "Phantoms of the Four Columns". Ghost Hunter's Guide to Seattle and Puget Sound. Pelican Publishing. pp. 145–148. ISBN 978-1455604937.

Further reading
  • Johnston, Norman J. (2004). The Fountain & the Mountain: The University of Washington Campus in Seattle (2nd ed.). Documentary Media LLC. ISBN 978-0971908413.
  • Menges, Gary L. (curator). "The University of Washington's Early Years". No Finer Site: The University of Washington's Early Years On Union Bay. Retrieved April 29, 2015. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
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