From the Boston Athenaeum library’s theatre collection:
The State Theatre on Washington Street was one of the last two surviving Boston theaters from the 19th century (the other being Tremont Theatre). Originally called the Park Theatre, it was erected by the successful actress Lotta Crabtree, who reputedly became the city’s largest tax payer. The wealthy Ms. Crabtree opened the theater in La Cigale on April 14, 1879. Apart from Ms. Crabtree herself, prominent actors at the Park included Madame Janauschek, Edwin Booth and Richard Mansfield.
At her death in 1924, Crabtree left more than $4 million to various charities which still are administered in Boston by the Crabtree Trust.
The theatre was remodelled by architect Clarence Blackall in 1903. Blackall designed more than a dozen Boston theatres of that period.
In the early 1930s, the Minsky brother acquired ownership of the Park Theatre. It became “Minsky’s Park Burlesque” where Gypsy Rose Lee did her striptease act. Later, the theatre was converted to a movie house and became known as the “Hub” and later as the “Trans-Lux”.
From the Boston Athenaeum library’s theatre collection:
The State Theatre on Washington Street was one of the last two surviving Boston theaters from the 19th century (the other being Tremont Theatre). Originally called the Park Theatre, it was erected by the successful actress Lotta Crabtree, who reputedly became the city’s largest tax payer. The wealthy Ms. Crabtree opened the theater in La Cigale on April 14, 1879. Apart from Ms. Crabtree herself, prominent actors at the Park included Madame Janauschek, Edwin Booth and Richard Mansfield.
At her death in 1924, Crabtree left more than $4 million to various charities which still are administered in Boston by the Crabtree Trust.
The theatre was remodelled by architect Clarence Blackall in 1903. Blackall designed more than a dozen Boston theatres of that period.
In the early 1930s, the Minsky brother acquired ownership of the Park Theatre. It became “Minsky’s Park Burlesque” where Gypsy Rose Lee did her striptease act. Later, the theatre was converted to a movie house and became known as the “Hub” and later as the “Trans-Lux”.