5. Orchestra Hall

Built in 1928, Orchestra Hall was constructed to meet the growing need for entertainment and meeting space within the Lakeside grounds. Architect Granville E. Scott of Norwalk, Ohio designed the building to follow the mission revival architectural style of Lakeside’s newly erected Administration building (erected in 1921 during Arthur B. Jones’ administration) and the Women’s Home Missionary Society Lodge (Wo-Ho-Mis, also opened in 1928).  Common construction features included tinted stucco exterior finishes and tile roofs. Erected at a cost of $40,000, Orchestra Hall featured a 25’ x 12’ stage that was large enough to accommodate plays, concerts and musical performances.  The building boasted seating for approximately 500 people, velvet curtains, soft light sconces and cutting edge motion picture equipment.

Orchestra Hall reached capacity at its dedication held on July 4th, 1928 and the building was touted as a “new playhouse for the visitors of Ohio’s Chautauqua.”  Two musical numbers by the Lakeside Assembly Orchestra and the showing of the silent film “Old Glory” were offered as part of the dedication ceremony.  In the years following its dedication, Orchestra Hall continued to be a popular space for organization meetings, performances and entertainment.  Movies were shown in the theater weekly during the summer seasons.  In 1930, talking picture equipment was purchased, making Orchestra Hall an even more prominent feature of the Lakeside community.