Severance Hall Has Been Intertwined With Cleveland's History Since 1931
By Nikki Rhoades|Published April 07, 2020
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
The history of Severance Hall in Cleveland is a fascinating tale. This building – one of the most impressive sites in University Circle – mirrors the vitality and endurance of Clevelanders. It was built as the world faced economic collapse, and it flourished and celebrated international art as the world moved into World War II. It survived the summer of love and the dilapidation and defacing encountered by other Cleveland landmarks like Playhouse Square. Yes, this magnificent building has a story to tell, and it’s one every Clevelander deserves to hear. Check it out:
Before the Cleveland orchestra had a home of its own, it used to perform at the Grays Armory.
The Cleveland Orchestra has been performing since 1918, and their original concerts were held in one of Cleveland's oldest buildings; The Armory, also the home of Cleveland's volunteer private military company. They eventually gained some momentum and moved to a larger venue at the Masonic Auditorium... that is, until their own home was built.
Construction began on Severance Hall in 1929 as the rumblings of the Great Depression began.
This endeavor was completed thanks to a group of very caring people. For starters, Western Reserve University offered up a bit of land for the edifice to rest on. The children of Standard Oil magnate Louis Severance largely funded the endeavor.
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John Long Severance, who would die just five years after the opening of Severance Hall, was the largest donor for the endeavor.
Severance and his wife, Elisabeth Huntington DeWitt, had no children, so to ensure his wife an enduring legacy he funded this conference hall in her honor and named it for her. He initially offered $1.5 million for the construction of the building, but he upped that to $2.5 million in 1930. That's the equivalent of nearly $39 million today! Of course, he had a bit of help from his equally wealthy sister in funding this endeavor.
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The magnificent building is built in the ever-fashionable Beaux Arts style, although it includes Egyptian Revival accents.
If you look closely, you'll see lotus flowers hidden in the architecture. Not only was this common in ancient Egyptian architecture, but it also was said to be the favorite flower of Elisabeth Huntington DeWitt. Papyrus is another common theme in this building, effortlessly combining the charm of the ancient world with the decadence of 1920s design.
As talented as the orchestra was, their sound wouldn't reach a crescendo until 1958 when its new stage shell was unveiled. These surprisingly modern panels on the stage may contrast with the architecture a bit, but they carry the acoustics throughout the hall powerfully.
Though this place was constructed during the Great Depression, it remained immaculate for a short time only.
As time marched on, this magnificent edifice began to reveal its age. Restorations became necessary for its longevity. In the 1990s, the hall underwent restoration. It even restored its grand organ, a beautifully impressive structure that was entombed behind the sound shell on the stage during its construction. When Severance Hall offered its grand reopening ceremony at the turn of the millennium, Severance Hall was hailed as one of the finest music halls outside of Europe. The Severance family would be pleased to hear this... their European travels are said to have inspired their desire to imbue Cleveland with classical arts.
To this day, Severance Hall continues to awe and inspire visitors. It reminds us of the vitality of Clevelanders, asserting that great beauty can flourish even in the harshest of times.
As one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world, it's almost hard to believe that this magnificent structure came to be in 1929 following the market crash.
And to this day, visitors continue to visit this building and take in its magnificence.
The history of Cleveland’s Severance Hall is one of endurance, dedication, and inspiration. This building came to be despite depression, the death of one of its philanthropists, and the demanding maintenance of the materials it is composed of. Severance Hall has a story as fascinating as that of Cleveland itself, and it is a landmark every local should visit at least once.
This is one of the best man-made wonders in Cleveland. What other landmarks are your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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