Exterior view of the third building of the popular theater, known as "Old Drury," at Chestnut Street above Sixth. White men and women pedestrians, a white newspaper boy, and laborers stroll the sidewalk. An African American huckster sells his wares to a customer in the street. The building, designed by William Strickland, was erected in 1822 after fire claimed the second building at Sixth and Chestnut Streets. It was demolished in 1855., Title from item., Published in John Howard Hinton's The history and topography of the United States (London: I.T. Hinton, & Simpkin & Marshall, 1830-1832), vol. 2, aft. p. 502. (LCP Am 1830 Hinto (2231.Q))., Printed in upper right corner: 47., Originally part of a Poulson scrapbook of Philadelphia illustrations., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator
Fenner, Sears & Co., engraver
Date
[May 15, 1831]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department PhPr - 8x10 - theaters [(1)1525.F.47a]
Street scene showing Chestnut Street near Sixth Street, including views of Congress Hall and the New Theatre. Depicts white men and women and an African American woman holding an African American baby in her arms and with a white boy at her side, strolling or conversing near a wooden post in front of the hall. In front of the theatre a large crowd is gathered, a white female peddler sells her goods, and a coach travels up Chestnut Street. Congress Hall, completed in 1789 to house the Pennsylvania district and county courts, was the first quarters of the U.S. Congress from 1790 until 1800. Completed in 1793, the New Theatre, or the First Chestnut Street Theatre, was established by actor Thomas Wignell and musician Alexander Reinagle. Modeled after a lavish English theatre, it quickly became the fashionable theatre of the city., Title from item., Illustrated in Robert Teitelman's Birch's views of Philadelphia (Philadelphia: Free Library of Philadelphia, 1982, rev. 2000), pl. 20., Accessioned 1979., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator
W. Birch & Son
Date
1800
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Birch's views [Sn 20/P.2276.45]
