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Alvin Theater
Access to material may be restricted.
Access to material may be restricted.

Alvin Theater

Address119, 6th Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America, 15222
Previous AddressFederal Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
Site Number1728
Alternate Names Harris-Alvin Theater, Harris Theater, Gateway Theater
Building Root Number N/A
PIRC Site Number 1728
Architect (Renewal)
Sponsor / Donor (Original)
Architect (Original)
Constructed 1891
Renewed 1941
StatusInactive
Materials for this building in our collection are not fully processed at this time.
Site Name HistoryThe site is named after its function.Historical NotesThe Alvin Theater was built in 1891 funded by actor Charles Lindsay "Jumbo" Davis. It was later closed in 1933 and reopened in 1934. In 1940 the roof collapsed and the noted theater design firm of John & Drew Eberson, Architects was hired to renew the facility. It reopened in 1942 as the J.P. Harris Theater.

Harvard University was connected with the theater from the early twentieth century until 1964.

In the later twentieth century the building went through many ownership changes and is currently a health club.
Additional Information
Harvard University. Treasurer. "Records of the Treasurer of Harvard University, 1669-2007." Harvard University Archives call number: UAI 50.x
"New Harris-Alvin Special Section." The Pittsburgh Press. August 30, 1934.
Conner, Lynne. "Pittsburgh in Stages: Two Hundred Years of Theater." Univ. of Pittsburgh Press, 2007.
Alvin Theater (Pittsburgh, PA.), "Alvin Theater collection 1896-1934." Senator John Heinz History Center call number: MFF 0175