It’s difficult to walk near 14th Ave and E Fir without being stunned by the 103-year-old Washington Hall. Duke Ellington played there, as did Ella Fitzgerald and Fatz Domino. Jimi Hendrix may have given his first ever public performance there. At one time, it looked as though the building might be purchased and demolished.
However, since Historic Seattle purchased the building two years ago, there has been an effort to restore and revive it. Hidmo is moving from 20th and Jackson to be an anchor tenant in the Hall. Historic Seattle is hosting their first ever “Building Renovation Fair” at the hall Saturday, April 9 at Washington Hall to showcase their “work in progress” and to bring together preservation and restoration professionals.
From Historic Seattle:
What: Historic Seattle Building Renovation Fair
When: Saturday, April 9, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Washington Hall, 153 14th Avenue, Seattle, WA (south of Seattle University)
Tickets: Free to Historic Seattle members; $5 general publicwww.historicseattle.org or (206) 622-6952
Meet the region’s experts in historic preservation, restoration, and renovation of old buildings. The inaugural Historic Seattle Building Renovation Fair brings together 28 architects, contractors, and engineers, along with specialty trades people and suppliers who appreciate working on the components of old houses–glass, wood, metal, tile, plaster, and ceramics, plumbing, electrical, hardware, painting, and wood windows. Learn about foundation and seismic repair and using salvaged materials.
The fair is geared to residential, institutional, and commercial building owners. It is an ideal opportunity to meet experts, ask questions, and get inspired. There will be presentations on a variety of topics throughout the day including appropriate approaches to remodeling older homes, earthquake retrofitting, and historically appropriate window weatherization for old buildings. To encourage strong community participation, a minimal entrance fee will be charged–$5 to the general public. Historic Seattle members are admitted free.
The event is being held at Washington Hall, one of the city’s most valuable community resources and Historic Seattle’s current “work in progress”. Ongoing restoration efforts on the 1908 Danish Brotherhood Hall are geared to making it a popular location for live performance, dance, rehearsals, classes, and workshops. Visit www.washingtonhall.org for history and rental information.