The Historic Jayhawk State Theatre of Kansas , is a theater located in downtown Topeka, Kansas , United States. The theatre opened on August 16, 1926. The Jayhawk Hotel & Crosby Bros shopping complex where attached to the theatre making it a grand complex for visitors to eat, sleep and be entertained.
7-617: The Jayhawk Theatre closed in January 1976 and sat vacant until the building complex was purchased in the 1980s. The theatre was donated to a non-profit organization in 1993 after a demolition denial request was submitted to the Topeka City Council. The Jayhawk Theatre and arcade was the vision of native Topekan, E.H. Crosby, head of the Crosby Brothers Co. It was designed by architect Thomas W. Williamson of Topeka, KS using work from
14-590: Is located in the future lobby space of the theatre and currently operates as an art gallery, event space, small music venue, and gathering location for volunteers who meet weekly. New Year's Eve of 1929, Gypsy Rose Lee performed live on-stage at the Jayhawk Theatre. Thomas W. Williamson Thomas Wilson Williamson (August 4, 1887 – November 16, 1974) was a Kansas architect who specialized in designing school buildings in Kansas , Iowa , and Missouri . He
21-457: The Boller Brothers of Kansas City. The work was completed in 1926, at a cost of approximately 1 million dollars. Built of steel and concrete, the auditorium is open, requiring no support posts that might obscure the view. The domed roof had twinkling stars to represent the heavens. Featuring three levels, two grand staircases lead from the lobby to the mezzanine floor, where a luxurious lounge
28-596: The Kansas State Legislature designated the Jayhawk as the official State Theatre of Kansas. Historic Jayhawk Theatre Inc. is dedicated to renovation, modernization and preservation of the historic Jayhawk State Theatre of Kansas. The organization is accepting donations, fundraising and hosting events to raise the funds to do so. The Gallery was added in February 2007 and features artists from Topeka, Kansas. The gallery
35-648: The U.S. National Register of Historic Places for their architecture. Firm names including him operated as Thomas W. Williamson and Company , as Thomas W. Williamson, Victor H. Loebsack & Associates , and later as Williamson-Loebsack & Associates . The firm grew to a size of 46 architects, draftsmen, engineers and other specialists. He designed schools, courthouses and the Jayhawk Theater and linked hotel in Topeka in 1926. Williamson grew up in Topeka, Kansas and
42-759: Was born August 4, 1887 in Hiawatha, Kansas . He graduated from Topeka High School in 1907. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with an A.B. degree from its school of architecture and returned to Kansas in 1911. He worked briefly for the Kansas state architect's office and for one year for architect John F. Stanton (whose El Dorado Carnegie Library is NRHP-listed). He then opened his own practice in 1912. He practiced architecture for more than 50 years, designing schools and courthouses in Kansas and neighboring U.S. states. A number of his works were listed on
49-575: Was located. The stage features an ornate proscenium arch with a beautiful mural by William Peaco of Chicago, whose work was featured in many public buildings in the Midwest. The mural depicts the goddess of agriculture surrounded by state symbols and the Seal of Kansas. The Jayhawk Theatre is owned and operated by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called the Historic Jayhawk Theatre Inc. In 1993
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