Grand Opera House, Historic theater in downtown Wilmington, United States.
The Grand Opera House is a Second Empire-style theater in downtown Wilmington featuring a cast-iron facade with Masonic symbols and a central pediment displaying the Eye of Providence. The venue has just over 1,200 seats and presents a wide range of performances throughout the year.
The building was constructed in 1871 by the Delaware Grand Lodge of Masons and initially served as both a Masonic Temple and performance venue. From 1930 to 1967 it operated as a movie theater before being restored to its original live performance purpose.
The venue is named after its original purpose as an opera house and features Masonic symbols visible on its exterior that reflect the building's founding. Visitors can observe these symbols, including the Eye of Providence in the central pediment, as part of the architectural design.
The venue is located downtown and is easy to find on the street. The performance calendar stays busy throughout the year, so visitors should plan ahead when looking for specific types of shows.
The building was originally designed as a dual-purpose structure combining Masonic gathering spaces with a public performance hall under one roof. This combined arrangement was unusual and shows how the building served multiple purposes before focusing on live entertainment.
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