Standard Theatre
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Owned by Black entrepreneur John T. Gibson, this theater featured noted Black American entertainers of the 1920s including Duke Ellington and Ethel Waters. The theater attracted multi-racial audiences until it closed in 1931.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Owned by Black entrepreneur John T. Gibson, the Standard Theatre became one of Philadelphia's premier stages for Black entertainment in the 1920s. Its bills featured luminaries like Duke Ellington and Ethel Waters, drawing multiracial audiences to hear the era's finest performers. The theater thrived through the Jazz Age before closing its doors in 1931.
Why it matters
Black-owned venues like the Standard nurtured the artists and audiences of the Harlem Renaissance era, proving the cultural and commercial power of Black entertainment.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer0.5 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Hill-Physick House0.7 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Congress Hall0.7 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Hall0.7 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philosophical Hall0.7 mi away · PA
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial0.7 mi away
Attractions
- Italian market0.3 mi away · Christian Street
- Reading Terminal0.7 mi away
- Liberty Bell0.7 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United States0.8 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- One Liberty Observation Deck0.8 mi away
- President's House0.8 mi away
Food & drink
- Talula's Garden0.5 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.5 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.5 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.6 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.6 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.6 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Alexander Inn0.2 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Fairfield Inn & Suites0.3 mi away · 261 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City0.4 mi away · 237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City0.4 mi away · 219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express0.4 mi away · 1305-11 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Morris House Hotel0.5 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · John T. Gibson
- · Duke Ellington
- · Ethel Waters
Themes & tags
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