6-746: The Sylvan Grove Theater and Columns , 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. They are some of the oldest-standing architectural pieces in Seattle. It has been called "one of
12-570: A greenery theater ( French : théâtre de verdure ) (also spelt theatre , see spelling differences )—is a type of outdoor theater situated in a wooded (sylvan) setting. Often adorned with classical motifs (columns, statues), a sylvan theater may substitute a simple green lawn for built seating and can include elaborate arrangements of shrubs, flowers and other greenery. These alfresco stages may be features of grand formal gardens or parks , or of more intimate settings, and may be intended for either public or private use. A notable early example of
18-632: A sylvan theater was the Bosquet du Théâtre d’Eau ("Water Theater Grove")—one of the 14 celebrated bosquet ("groves") in the Gardens of the Palace of Versailles near Paris . The central feature of this bosquet , which was designed for King Louis XIV by Le Nôtre between 1671 and 1674, was the auditorium-like theater sided by three tiers of turf seating that faced a stage decorated with four fountains alternating with three radiating cascades. As part of
24-615: 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. From 1911 through 1920, the columns stood in the Quad, near Savery, Denny, and Raitt Halls. 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
30-480: The most beautiful places on campus." 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. 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
36-570: Was organized and was won by a sophomore, Marshall W. Gill, the son of Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill . 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. The site has received attention from paranormal investigators. 47°39′10″N 122°18′22″W / 47.6527°N 122.3061°W / 47.6527; -122.3061 Sylvan theater A sylvan theater —sometimes called
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