It stands tall as a historic jewel of Downtown, a congenial host to everything from a presidential address to hard-rocking concerts.

And this year, Memorial Hall — a striking and rare example of late 19th and early 20th Century auditorium design and one of the few representative structures of this period and type in the state — is, along with City Hall, marking the centennial anniversary of its dedication.

A building, in the words of Historitecture, a leader in architectural history and studies, "Among the elites of the Great West."

As Memorial Hall's birth and renovation came at the hands of taxpayers, it truly is a "palace of the people."

In 1915, a $300,000 bond issue for the construction of the "Pueblo City Hall and Auditorium" was approved by a vote of the citizens. With that green light, Memorial Hall was designed in conjunction with city hall between 1916 and 1919.

From Pueblo, architect William W. Stickney teamed up with the New York-based firm Godley and Haskell on the plans, with contractor C.S. Lambie handling the construction.

The building was formally dedicated to the veterans of the "War to End All Wars" on Sept. 25, 1919, by President Woodrow Wilson during his last public address. In honor of, and in tribute to, those who fell in World War I, it was christened Memorial Hall.

"I believe that men will see the truth, eye to eye and face to face," Wilson told those gathered in the auditorium. "There is one thing that the American people always rise to and extend their hand to, and that is the truth of justice and liberty and of peace.

"We have accepted that truth and we are going to be led by it, and it is going to lead us, and through us the world, out into the pastures of quietness and peace, such as the world never dreamed of before."

In 2017, that speech was part of Pueblo’s centennial celebration of the U.S. entering World War I, with Judd Bankert, a professional Wilson impersonator who performs at Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library in Virginia, filling the late president's shoes on the Memorial Hall stage.



As originally constructed, the architecturally significant features of the building are numerous.

The proscenium (stage front) is comprised of intricately detailed plaster ornament and includes two level-side boxes and grillage housing the historic Austin Orchestral Pipe Organ. The organ features between 4,000 and 5,000 pipes varying in size from a few inches to 32 feet in length and represents 62 different instruments.



A grand stairway and lobby with detailed ceiling panels, terrazzo flooring and marbled walls is shared by the auditorium and city hall.

In 2000, a master plan was completed by the Denver firm of Semple Brown Design, specialists in theater design and renovation. The plan identified the need for the building to be renovated and updated to current code and a utilization program.

The project, however, fell short of the funding and sat dormant for a decade. Then, a group spearheaded by members of the Sarah Shaw dance troupe and area high schoolers appeared before Pueblo City Council with a plea that the hall, and especially its stage area, be revamped and upgraded.

At that time, city hall itself was being renovated, with a new roof being added to both city and Memorial Hall.

Swayed by the young people's compelling testimony as to the importance of Memorial Hall in Pueblo's history and future, city council acted by approving Ordinance 8220 in June 2010, which placed a bond issue on the ballot. A month later, the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority approved a resolution in support of a special municipal election.

To prepare the proposal's construction estimate, Semple Brown Design was rehired.

The ballot item as worded authorized the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority to issue new bonds in the amount of $10 million for the remodeling, restoring and maintaining of the historic Memorial Hall and to amend the current tax code and extend using the vendor fee - that portion of the sales tax that goes to businesses to collect the tax - to finance the project.

Voters concurred with the mission, and the door to funding the much-needed restoration venture was opened.

The renovation project started in June 2012, with general contractor HW Houston awarded the $6.9 million contract. Semple Brown Design served as the architect, with Bill Zwick from the city's Department of Planning and Community Development the project manager.

As the process unrolled, The Memorial Hall Stakeholders Committee elected to campaign to raise additional funds in the amount of $400,000 for embellishments, such as acoustical windows, exterior lighting, decorative site furnishings, colored concrete patrons plaza and historic interior lighting restoration and accent lighting.

A complementary fundraising drive raised money for additional building enhancements.

The work completed by HW Houston included installation of fire sprinklers, air conditioning, new passenger and freight elevators, ADA-compliant seating locations, a loading dock, restrooms, dressing rooms, a concession area and emergency generator.

The stage area was increased, the orchestra pit automated and the performance lighting, audio/control booths and rigging systems made state-of-the-art.

A new 1,600-seat layout improved the comfort factor for patrons, with new air conditioning, additional legroom and sightlines. Acoustics were sweetened through an enhanced audience circulation layout that isolated outside noise.

Infrastructure and utility upgrades were also made, with work done to clean and tuckpoint the brick and stone masonry walls and install historically appropriate clay-tile roof. Exterior improvements to the sidewalks, streetscape and parking lot added aesthetic and practical appeal.

Today, Memorial Hall is a popular draw for young, old and in-between, with Spectra Venue Management handling the booking of the diverse shows.

Fittingly, Sarah Shaw dancers continue to perform on the revamped stage. The hall each year also hosts Pueblo City Schools' (D60) "Pride and Patriotism" salute to veterans, as well as graduation ceremonies for Dolores Huerta Preparatory High School.

From an entertainment standpoint, Broadway Theater League and Pueblo Symphony productions, comedy and laser shows, rock concerts, extreme sports films and even boxing matches have attracted patrons. Artists as diverse as crooner Chris Isaak, rapper Tech 9, classic rockers Kansas, country star Dwight Yoakum and "golden oldies" packages have, at one time or another, passed through Memorial Hall's wings.

More often than not, the professionals who take the stage are quick to compliment the beauty and charm of the historically rich auditorium.

City officials note that the City Hall and Memorial Hall’s centennial will be saluted with an anniversary celebration, currently in the planning stages.

jpompia@chieftain.com

Twitter: @Jpompia