Watercolor showing a view of the ruins of the National Theatre built in 1837 at 824-836 Chestnut Street, which was razed by fire on July 5, 1854. Shows partial fragments of the brick walls left standing. A broadside or poster is pasted on a fragment of the brick wall in the center. Bricks and debris are visible on the ground. Partial view of unburnt adjacent building in the left and in the background. The fire also destroyed the neighboring Philadelphia Museum known as the Chinese Museum built circa 1836-1838 after the designs of Isaac Holden at Ninth and Sansom Streets. The museum served as an exhibition space including the display of Nathan Dunn's Chinese artifact collection, and as a concert, public meeting, and lecture space., Title and date from manuscript note on accompanying mount., Manuscript on the note reads "R.H. Wells" but is likely mistaken and probably should read "C.H. Wells" who created many sketches for Charles A. Poulson., Originally part of Poulson scrapbook of illustrations of Philadelphia.
Creator
Wells, C.H., (Charles H.), approximately 1832-1884, artist
Date
March 1857
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *drawings & watercolors - Wells [P.8756.11]
