MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST NR Eligible: yes _ DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FORM no a Property Name: Olney Theatre center (Olney Theater complex) Inventory Number: M: 23-153 Address: ng±gfl££]ES±:£=E£±:£E:iEgE22£ Historicdistrict: ±yes quDX© n° City: Ill,,lE=J- Sandy spring Zipcode: 20860 C ounty : Montgomery USGS Quadrangle(s): Sandy spring
Property Owner: Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, Inc. Tax Account ID Number: 0803017314
Tax Map Parcel Number(s): N775 TaxMapNumber: JT12
Project: Dr. Bird / Norwood Road - Shared Use Path Project Agency: MCDOT
Agency Prepared By: RK&K, LLP Preparer'S Name: fflill±£:gE±±E±!Ei!±±±!¥!£8!:£Pi£±!=:=± Date prepared: 4/28/2021
Documentation is presented in: Project review and compliance files and MIHp form M: 23-153
Preparer's Eligibility Recommendation: Eligibility recommended X Eligibility not recommended
Criteri a : A 8 C D C ons iderations : A 8 C D E F G E5± is33± iT-±= iE-I - i- iL ii - iii- tB- Complete if the property is a contributing or non-contributing resource to a NR district/property:
Name of the District/Property:
Inventory Number: Eligible: yes Listed: _ yes ® Site visit by MHT staff yes X no Name: Description of property and Justification: /P/eczse czf/crch mczp cr#cJpfeo/o/
The Olney Theatre Center was evaluated for the National Register of Historic Places OVRHP) and detemined ineligible for inclusion in 1995. Because it has been more than twenty years since the Olney Theatre Center has been evaluated, the property's NRIIP eligibility was reevaluated for this project.
LOCATION/SETTING
The irregularly shaped 10.6-acre parcel contains a variety of buildings and structures at the center of the property, including the circa-1898 Crawford House and the circa-1940 historic stage. The property is on the north side of Olney Sandy Spring Road at its intersection with Doctor Bird Road. Three driveways provide access to the property from Olney Sandy Spring Road. They lead to a paved looped road and parking lot south of the buildings. Northeast is a large, irregularly shaped parking lot. The Crawford House is at the center of the property and the historic stage is to the west, separated by a concrete patio and wood deck. West of, and cormected to, the historic stage is the circa-2005 mainstage, lobby, and William H. Graham St. Actors Hall. North and east of the historic stage is the circa-1995 costume and scene shop. East of the Crawford House is the detached,1999 Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab. At the southwest comer of site, and removed from the other buildings is a small, mid-twentieth-century cottage
2®.a`se2 G® `.i NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM
M: 23-153 01ney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex)
surrounded by trees and a small pond. Northwest of the historic stage is an outdoor performance space. There are also metal a containers in the north yard. The remainder of the parcel is landscaped and has mature trees. A low V-shaped concrete sign is at the center driveway.
DESCRIPTION
Actor's Residence (Crawford House), circa 1898
The Actor's Residence, currently called Crawford House, has been heavily altered since its construction circa 1898. It originally consisted of a frame, two-and-a-half-story, side-gable building with a large projecting cross gable that sits on a stone foundation. Hipped-roof sections extend from the northeast and northwest sides of the cross gable. A circa-1920, one-story, enclosed hipped- roof porch with a concrete-block foundation is on the east, south, and west sides. The building is clad in synthetic horizontal siding and features scalloped shingles within all the gable ends. There are a variety of window types and the roof is covered in asphalt shingles.
The primary entrance on the twelve-bay, south faeade of the first story is paired twelve-light doors accessed via a short flight of stone steps in the fourth bay. A secondary, single entrance with a single window to the west in the third bay is reached through a wooden accessibility ramp. The remainder of the first story consists of paired windows separated by wooden pilasters. Windows on the porch are generally frame six-over-six sash, but at least one is a vinyl replacement. The second story has six irregularly spaced one-over-one windows with a wood surround. There are paired one-over-one windows in the gable end.
The first story of the east elevation has eight bays divided by wooden posts. The sixth bay has paired nine-light doors that are accessed via a set of wood steps. The remainder of the bays have paired six-over-six wood windows. The second story has two one- over-one windows. North of the windows is a projecting wooden enclosure with a dianond-shaped panel. A hipped pent roof is behind the enclosure. The gable end has a two-sided bay window. North, and recessed from, the gable end is a hipped roof section with a stained-glass-block window on the second story and a hipped roof dormer. A flight of wood steps winds north from the base 0 of the first-story stairs to a wooden deck over the north side of enclosed first-story porch. The north (rear) elevation has ilTegular fenestration. At the basement of the cross gable, two curved stone walls interrupt the stone foundation and lead to a single door accessed by a flight of brick steps. There is a single door with nine lights at the west end of the first story that is accessed via a short flight of wood steps. It has a wooden stoop covered by a frame portico supported by two slender square posts. Other fenestration includes paired small four-light frame windows, single four-light windows, one-over-one sash windows, and a round multi-pane wooden window on the east side of the second story.
The eight-bay first story of the west elevation has irregular fenestration that includes paired four-light windows in the second, third, and fourth bays, and paired six-over-six sash windows in the fifth through eighth bays. The first bay has no fenestration. The second story has a hipped roof section north of a front-facing gable. A small shed-roof addition extends from the juncture of the hipped roof and gable. There are two one-over-one windows. A wood deck accessed via a wooden ramp and a small flight of steps is on this elevation.
Historic Stage, circa 1940, and Costume and Scene Shops, circa 1995
The circa-1940 historic stage building consists of a two-story, flat-roof section oriented roughly east-west. A one-story, flat-roof enclosed porch is to the south, and a one-and-a-half-story, gable-roof section, oriented north-south, is to the north. Further north, and oriented east-west, are a series of one and two-story, gable-roof sections that comprise the costume and scene shops for the
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST REVIEW
Eligibility recommended E]igibiLity not recommended Criteria: _A ©8 _C ©D Considerations: _A _8 ©C ©D _E _F ©G MHT Comments:
Reviewer, Office of Preservation Services
Reviewer, National Register Program NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM
M: 23-153 Olney Theatre Center (01ney Theater Complex)
theater. The building is clad in synthetic siding and the roofs are asphalt or asphalt shingle.
The first story of the nine-bay north faeade rests on a stone foundation and has a center entrance with paired glass doors accessed by concrete steps with stone sidewalls. The remaining bays have paired single light windows. The second story has five evenly spaced six-over-six windows with wood surrounds. A round multi-pane wood window is at the east end. There is a wood cornice with a parapet at the roofline.
The east elevation of the porch has paired glass doors protected by a gable-front cloth awning. The two-story section has a projecting first story with paired metal doors. The second story has a single wood door accessed by a wood stair; a six-over-six window is north of the door. The remainder of the elevation has no fenestration.
The north (rear) elevation of the Historic Stage and Costume and Scene shops consists of a series of side-gable sections of varying height with little fenestration. The first story is obscured by wall-in areas and metal containers and dumpsters. The eastern section is one-and-a-half-stories high, and the western is two-stories high. In the center is a one-story section with a projecting shed-roof addition with evenly spaced one-over-one sash windows. The costume shop has a gable roof and no fenestration on the north elevation. The east elevation of the Costume and Scene Shop wing has a large opening with a metal rollup door and a single metal door.
The west elevation is obscured by the circa-2005 Actor's Hall and lobby.
Cottage, mid-twentieth century
The white stone, side-gable cottage has an asphalt-shingle roof. The north facade has a center entrance with a paneled wood door and a storm door; to either side are six-over-one windows. The east elevation has a single window on the first story. The gable end has horizontal wood siding and a boarded-up opening. The north elevation has a nearly full-width, shed-roof addition clad in wood siding. The north elevation of the addition has an off-center, five-panel door flanked by two horizontal openings, one of which is boarded up. A stone chimney rises from the east side of the main building. The west elevation has a single window in the first story © and horizontal siding in the gable end. The building is in ruinous condition.
Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, 1999
The one-story Theatre Lab has an irregularly shaped roof with a pyramidal section to the southeast and a shed roof section to the northwest. The north elevation has a full-height window wall at the northwest comer. A concrete accessibility ramp provides access to doors on the northwest side of the west elevation. Other fenestration are evenly spaced narrow, vertical single-light windows. The west elevation was partially obscured. The south and east elevations have no fenestration.
The Mainstage, Lobby, and William H. Graham Sr. Actors Hall, circa 2005
The circa-2005 Mainstage, Lobby, and Actors Hall are southwest of, and cormected to, the Historic Stage. The V-shape building consists of the flat-roof Actors Hall, which is attached to the west elevation of the Historic Stage; the gable-front Lobby, which is oriented roughly north-south; and the flat-roof Main Stage, which consists of a two-story section to the east and a three-story section to the west. It is clad in synthetic horizontal siding. The gable roof is covered in asphalt siding.
The south faeade of the two-story lobby has a projecting gable end supported by a metal framing system with upbraces. The lobby has an off-centered entrance accessed by two pairs of glass-and-metal doors with glass transoms. The second story has ribbon
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST REVIEW
ELigibi]ity recommended Eligibility not recommended Criteria: _A _8 _C _D Considerations: _A _8 _C ©D _E _F _G MHT Comments:
Reviewer, Office of Preservation Services
Reviewer, National Register Program NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM
M: 23-153 Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex)
windows, and the gable end has a window wall. East and west of the doors are two four-light windows.
The rectangular Mainstage has a boxy appearance with little fenestration. Two prominent bands wrap around all elevations. The first story on the southeast and southwest elevations projects from the upper two-thirds of the building and is covered by a hipped roof. An incised entrance at the southwest comer provides access to a single door. Paired doors are on the southeast elevation. The northwest elevation has a gable-roof addition with a roll-up garage door and concrete loading dock. The northeast elevation has no fenestration.
The north (rear) elevation roughly forms a "V" shape with a concrete patio between the wings. At the center is the two-story lobby with a design similar to the south fagade. It has a projecting gable end supported by a metal framing system with upbraces and a central entrance accessed by two pairs of glass-and-metal doors with glass transoms. The second story has ribbon windows, and the gable end has a window wall. A two-story side-gable portion extends to the west, adjacent the stage building. The northeast elevation of that section has evenly spaced tripartite windows with transoms and paired six-light windows with transoms on the first story. East of the entrance is a second side-gable section that houses the actors hall. It has a side-gable roof with a projecting front- gable section at the north end. It has a pair of metal-and-glass doors with transoms on the first story and paired two-over-two sash windows with transoms above. The front-gable section has a band of three two-over-two windows.
The east elevation is obscured by the Historic Stage.
HISTORIC CONTEXT
This historic context references the original Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (MIHP) form (M: 23-153).
Elizabeth C. Davis acquired the property that now houses the Olney Theatre Center in 1897. She purchased part of the property from Francis M. Halowell and the other part, known as the "Addition to Charley Forest," from Edward Farquhar (MCLR JA 58, 12; JA 58, 84). She and her husband, Henry Davis, constructed a Victorian three-story frane farmhouse called Knollton on the property between April 1897 and April 1898 (Armals of Sandy Spring Ill, xi). Henry Davis died in 1904, but Elizabeth continued to occupy the house until her death in 1925 (Annals of Sandy Spring Ill, 294; Brown 1995).
The wraparound porch was added circa 1921 (Brown 1995). In 1924, the property was transferred to Elizabeth's niece, Ethel Mckay (Armals IV, 479; MCLR 358 205). In 1936 the property, which was by then known as "Woodlawn Lodge," was sold to Steven Cohrave and Arthur Parker from Washington, DC, who had plans to build a summer theater and dramatic school on the property (Broun 1995).
Sometime prior to 1938, the "Pavilion" was built next door to the house for community functions such as dances and as a general gathering place, as well as a theater. The theater's first production was "The Baroness and the Butler" in July of 1938 (The Sun 1938, 5). The dwelling, which cane to be known as the "actors' residence," may also at some point have been used as a restaurant called "Charlie Forest Irm" (Brown 1995). The theater was described as being flanked by two "old-fashioned white cottages" that would be included by the theater when it first opened. These cottages were to be used as residences for the actors (The Sun 1938, 5). One of these cottages is extant, west of the circa-2005 Mainstage.
In 1940, the tract containing these buildings was purchased by C. Y. Stephens, the owner of High's Dairy, which evolved into the ubiquitous chain of local convenience stores (The Sun 1962, 60). Stevens enclosed the actors' residence porch and built the theater itself over the foundation of the pavilion in 1941 (Stevens 1995). The rationing of gasoline brought about by World War 11 forced its temporary closure (The Sun 1943, 44). It reopened in 1946 as a stop on the "straw hat circuit" and has presented shows every
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST REVIEW
Eligibility recommended ELigibi]ity not recommended
Criteria : A 8 C D Considerations: A 8 C D E F G ha---,`-h I___'_>3®_-¥_-_I i- -j- - MHT Comments:
Reviewer, Office of Preservation Services
Reviewer, National Register Program NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM
M: 23-153 Olney Theatre Center (`Olney Theater Complex)
year since then. Initially, most of the performances were put on by touring groups from New York (Stevens 1995). It was a primary professional theater in the area, and reportedly the only Washington-area theater that never practiced racial discrimination. It attracted some comparatively famous performers since the summer heat made Broadway performances less well attended and typically less professional in scope. There were times that the accommodations at the actors' residence were inadequate to house the entertainers, and some local houses took in boarders as needed to fill the demand. The famous actors found Olney Theatre to be unlike many of their stops on the circuit due to its remote and isolated location. This portion of the county was still "dry," and alcohol was not readily available. Stephens did what he could to make the accommodations more inviting, and in 1949 built a small swimming pool behind the actors' residence; however, the pool is no longer extant (Stevens 1995).
In 1953, Stephens asked the Reverend Gilbert V. Hartke, O.P., head of the drama department at the Catholic University of America, to take over administration of the Theatre. Stephens wanted to start a playhouse that would not only entertain the community, but that would also provide an opportunity for the training of acting students. Hartke agreed, and the theater opened that season under the management of players lnc. with a performance of Bemard Shaw's "Man and Supeman." This entity ultimately came to be known as the nonprofit Olney Theatre Corporation. The actors' residence served as temporary accommodations for the actors, many of whom were at the time, or since have become, famous (Stevens 1995).
Hartke was quite involved with the theater community in the Washington, DC area. In 1937, he became chairman of the speech and drama department at the Catholic University of America (The Daily Mail 1965, 3). He was monitor of the Harlequin Dramatic Society of Catholic University in 1938 (Evening Star 1938, 42). In 1949, Hartke founded the Catholic University Players Group (The Sun 1973, 20). In 1965, President Johnson nominated Hartke to the National Council of the Arts, where he won the St. Genesius award (The Daily Mail 1965, 3). He also received awards from the American Theater Wing, the Washington Board of Trade, the US Department of Defense, the National Catholic Theater Conference, and the Jewish Home for the Aged. Pope John Paul VI presented him with the Benemerenti Medal in 1965 (The Sun 1973, 20).
Well-known actors who played at the theater include Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Lillian Gish, Helen Hayes, Carol Channing, Nancy Davis Reagan, Ian MCKellen, Olivia de Haviland, Tallulah Bankhead, Jose Ferrer, John Carradine, Burl Ives, Paulette Goddard, E. G. Marshall, and Kitty Carlisle among others. Willard Scott, who was to become the much-renown weatherman, had a ® part during the 1948 or 1949 season in which he had no lines but was a spear carrier. Impressive persons not only performed, but some attended as well, including Presidents Truman and Roosevelt (Stevens 1995). In the winter of 1988, the actors' residence was used as a designers' showcase open to the public for a month to show antiques. Each room was decorated in a different style and named after one of the famous performers that had stayed there (The Sun 1988,146).
In the twenty-first century, the theater has continued to grow and expand its offerings. In 2000, the theater reached its third year of partnering with Maryland-National Capital Park and Plarming Commission to bring the arts to people of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties (The Baltimore Sun 2000, 142). In 1999, the theater opened the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, a smaller, more intimate, stage than the Historic Stage (The Baltimore Sun 1999, 62). In 2005, the Olney Theatre opened its new Mainstage on the property (The Baltinore Sun 2005, E2). In March of 2020, the theater initiated construction of a 3,393-square-foot addition to the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab (Montgomery County Plarming Department 2020). The actor's residence is culTently known as the Crawford House.
ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION
The Olney Theatre Center was evaluated for significance under the NRIIP Criteria A, 8, and C. The resource was not evaluated for eligibility under Criterion D. NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM
M: 23-153 Olney Theatre Center (_Olney Theater Complex)
The Olney Theatre Center was part of the mid-twentieth-century "straw hat circuit" of touring theater troops and may have significant associations with this historic trend; however, twenty-first-century additions and alterations have impacted the site' s integrity. The property no longer conveys it feeling or association with summer theater productions. Therefore, 0lney Theatre Center is not eligible under Criterion A.
Reverend Gilbert V. Hartke. was active and signiflcant in the Washington, DC, area performing arts community, but the Olney Theatre is not the most representative example of his efforts. Other sites, such as the Hartke Theater on the Catholic University campus, better represent Hartke's contributions to the region's theater scene. While many famous actors performed at the Olney Theatre, none of their perfomances have a significant association with the theater. Therefore, Onley Theatre Center is not eligible under Criterion 8 .
The Olney Theatre Center does not embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, nor is it the work of a master. The integrity of the Olney Theatre Center has been significantly reduced due to modem construction and expansion and replacement of original materials. The construction of two large new theater spaces has overwhelmed the historic buildings on the site, destroying the historic character of the earliest buildings and their relationship to the site. The Olney Theatre Center has lost integrity of setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Therefore, the Onley Theatre Center is not eligible under Criterion C.
Parcel Description
The property encompasses 10.6 acres and is confined to the current property tax parcel, which is found on Montgomery County Tax Map JT12, Parcel N775 (2021).
REFERENCES
Brown, Stevens T.1995. "Olney Theater Complex." Maryland Historical Trust Determination of Eligibility Form M: 23-153. Crownsville, MD: Maryland Historical Trust.
The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland).1965. August 25,1965, 3.
Evening Star.1938. "Catholic U. Group to Stage `Cyrano." May 8,1938, 42.
Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Real Property Data Search. Montgomery County Tax Records. Accessed October 2, 2020. https://sdat.dat.maryland.govRealpropertymages/default.aspx.
Maryland State Archives (MSA). Mdlandrec.net. Montgomery County Land Records (MCLR). Accessed October 2, 2020. https://www.mdlandrec.net.
Montgomery County Plarming Department. 2020. "Olney Theatre Center, Site Plan Amendment No. 82001022A." March 26, 2020.
NETRonline. Historic Aerials. Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.historicaerials.com/viewer.
Sandy Spring Museum.1884-1929. Annals of Sandy Spring: History of a Rural Community ln Maryland. Vol.Ill. Baltimore, MD: Cushings & Bailey.
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST REVIEW
Eligibility recommended Eligibility not recommended
Criteria: _A _8 ..ag,3a.,C .,,;a.s:;s;.,;6P Considerations: _.A _,8 _,C _,D _E _F _G
MHT Comments:
Reviewer, Office of Preservation Services
Reviewer, National Register Program NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM
M: 23-153 Olnev Theatre Center /Olnev Theater ComDlex\
The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland). 1938. "Olney Sumlner Theater." July 20, 1938, 5. ------. 1943. "Washington Has Roof strawhat." September 12,1943, 44.
•-----. 1962. "Curtain Rises Tuesday at Olney Theater." May 27,1962, 60.
------. 1973. "Hartke to Speck at Essex." March 22, 1973, 20.
•-----. 1988. "Events." April 3, 1988, 146.
------. 1999. "Play Readings." January 4,1999, 37.
------. 1999. "A Passion for Thought." August 8,1999, 62.
------. 2000. "A Tribute to Shakespeare." July 13, 2000,142.
------. 2005. "Olney's Lineup." August 25, 2005, E2.
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST REVIEW
E]igibility recommended E]igibi]ity not recommended
Criteria : A 8 C D Considerations: A 8 C D E F G ie»rerrrmtm em±:SEL qqmam cepr?in:q +~_ I_--- ©. .a..armfii^. tfopxv_ ©© "E-~N MHT Comments:
Reviewer, Ofrice of Preservation Services
Reviewer, National Register Program M : 2 '3 - ' 5 3
Legend 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 Feet
Olney Theater Complex (2001 0lney Sandy Spring Road) 1 inch = 2,000 feet M.' Z3-'53
Legend 0 500 1,000 2,000 Feet
Olney Theater Complex (2001 0lney Sandy Spring Road) 1 inch = 1,000 feet r,I , z i/ - i I, 3 Site Plan and Photo Location Map Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) 2001 0lney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Legend 0 100 200 400 Feet
OIney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) i-``:```.-.-` 2001 0Iney Sandy Spring Road 1 inch = 200 feet Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 1 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 1: South Elevation of the Circa-1898 Crawford House, Facing North
Photo 2: East Elevation of the Circa-1898 Crawford House, Facing West Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 2 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 3: North Elevation of the Crawford House, Facing Southeast
Photo 4: West Elevation of the Crawford House and Patio, Facing East Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 3 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 5: South Elevation of the Circa-1940 Historic Stage, Facing Northwest
Photo 6: South Façade and East Elevation of the Circa-1940 Historic Stage, Facing Northwest Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 4 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 7: South Façade and West Elevation of the Stone Cottage, Facing Northeast
Photo 8: West and North Elevations of the Stone Cottage, Facing Southwest Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 5 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 9: North and West Elevations of the Circa-2000 Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, Facing Southeast
Photo 10: East and North Elevations of the Circa-2000 Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, Facing Southwest Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 6 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 11: South Façade of the Circa-2005 Mainstage and Lobby, Facing North
Photo 12: Southwest and Northwest Elevations of the Mainstage, Facing Southeast Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 7 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 13: North elevation of the Mainstage and Lobby, Facing Southeast
Photo 14: North Elevation of Lobby, Facing South Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 8 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 15: North Elevations of the Historic Stage and Costume and Scene Shops, Facing South
Photo 16: North and East Elevations of the Theatre Lab and Costume and Scene Shops, Facing Southwest Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 9 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 17: Outdoor Performance Space, Facing Southeast
Photo 18: View of the Olney Theatre Center From Olney Sandy Spring Road, Facing Northwest Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 10 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
PHOTO LOG
Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Name of Photographer: Meghan P. White Date of Photograph: March 17, 2021 Location of Original Digital File: MD SHPO
Photographs inserted on continuation sheets.
Photo 1 of 18: South Elevation of the Circa-1898 Crawford House, Facing North M; 23-153_2021-03-17_001.tif
Photo 2 of 18: East Elevation of the Circa-1898 Crawford House, Facing West M; 23-153_2021-03-17_002.tif
Photo 3 of 18: North Elevation of the Crawford House, Facing Southeast M; 23-153_2021-03-17_003.tif
Photo 4 of 18: West Elevation of the Crawford House and Patio, Facing East M; 23-153_2021-03-17_004.tif
Photo 5 of 18: South Elevation of the Circa-1940 Historic Stage, Facing Northwest M; 23-153_2021-03-17_005.tif
Photo 6 of 18: South Façade and East Elevation of the Circa-1940 Historic Stage, Facing Northwest M; 23-153_2021-03-17_006.tif
Photo 7 of 18: South Façade and West Elevation of the Stone Cottage, Facing Northeast M; 23-153_2021-03-17_007.tif
Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 11 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 8 of 18: West and North Elevations of the Stone Cottage, Facing Southwest M; 23-153_2021-03-17_008.tif
Photo 9 of 18: North and West Elevations of the Circa-2000 Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, Facing Southeast M; 23-153_2021-03-17_009.tif
Photo 10 of 18: East and North Elevations of the Circa-2000 Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, Facing Southwest M; 23-153_2021-03-17_010.tif
Photo 11 of 18: South Façade of the Circa-2005 Mainstage and Lobby, Facing North M; 23-153_2021-03-17_011.tif
Photo 12 of 18: Southwest and Northwest Elevations of the Mainstage, Facing Southeast M; 23-153_2021-03-17_012.tif
Photo 13 of 18: North elevation of the Mainstage and Lobby, Facing Southeast M; 23-153_2021-03-17_013.tif
Photo 14 of 18: North Elevation of Lobby, Facing South M; 23-153_2021-03-17_014.tif
Photo 15 of 18: North Elevations of the Historic Stage and Costume and Scene Shops, Facing South M; 23-153_2021-03-17_015.tif
Photo 16 of 18: North and East Elevations of the Theatre Lab and Costume and Scene Shops, Facing Southwest M; 23-153_2021-03-17_016.tif
Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M: 23-153 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
Page 12 of 12 Name of Property: Olney Theatre Center (Olney Theater Complex) Location: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Photo 17 of 18: Outdoor Performance Space, Facing Southeast M; 23-153_2021-03-17_017.tif
Photo 18 of 18: View of the Olney Theatre Center From Olney Sandy Spring Road, Facing Northwest M; 23-153_2021-03-17_018.tif
INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY/DISTRICT MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST INTERNAL NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM
Property/District Name: Olney Theater Complex Survey Number : r:i¥C M: a;,- I 5 3 Project: Accessibility Ramp for the Actors' Residence Agency: cdbg/MO Co
Site visit by MHT Staff: -L no __ yes Name ------Date------
Eligibility recommended Eligibility not recommended _x~- Criteria: __A __B __c __D Considerations: __A __B __c __D __E __F __G __None
Justification for decision: (Use continuation sheet if necessary and attach map)
The Olney Theater complex consists of an eleven acre tract with two buildings located on the north side of the intersection of Sandy Spring Road (Rt. 108) and Dr. Bird Road. The actor's residence was the original building on the property, constructed as a private residence in 1898. A local wealthy entrepreneur (Highs Dairy Stores), C. Y. Stephens purchased the parcel in 1940. Although community events began on site in the late 1930s, Stephens developed the parcel into the Olney Theater. The theater was constructed in 1941 but dramatic productions did not begin until after World War II, in 1947. The adjacent dwelling provided temporary housing for the traveling actors/actresses. Substantial new construction has occurred during the last thirty years as well. These alterations have greatly expanded the buildings and reduce their historic integrity. The County believed that ,--the comple~ was eligible under criterion B for its association with famous performers of the eriod. The majority of the complex's period of significance and its association with the actors is less than fifty years old. The complex does not demonstrate exceptional significance. This office does not believe that the famous actors association with the property provides a sufficient time period to be significant. In my opinion, the Olney Theater complex is not eligible for the National Register.
Documentation on the property/district is presented in: attached with this form -
Prepared by: Stevens. T. Brown MO Co. L. Bowlin April 24. 1995 Reviewer, Office of Preservation Services Date iR program concurrence: __ yes no not applicable {()~ ~-.Jt-v. 9-~~-'i~ Revie*er, NR program Date Survey No. _.·MEr-~____,/1...... ,.:_~__..3_...-/_.:J....,-3=-- MARYLAND COMPREHENSIVE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN DATA - HISTORIC CONTEXT
I. Geographic Region:
Eastern Shore (all Eastern Shore counties, and Cecil) Western Shore (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's) _x__ Piedmont (Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery) Western Maryland (Allegany, Garrett and Washington)
II. Chronological/Developmental Periods:
Paleo-Indian 10000-7500 B.C. Early Archaic 7500-6000 B.C. Middle Archaic 6000-4000 B.C. Late Archaic 4000-2000 B.C. Early Woodland 2000-500 B.C. Middle Woodland 500 B.C. - A.D. 900 Late Woodland/Archaic A.D. 900-1600 Contact and Settlement A.D. 1570-1750 Rural Agrarian Intensification A.D. 1680-1815 Agricultural-Industrial Transition A.D. 1815-1870 x Industrial/Urban Dominance A.D. 1870-1930 _x__ Modern Period A.D. 1930-Present Unknown Period ( __ prehistoric historic)
III. Prehistoric Period Themes: IV. Historic Period Themes:
Subsistence Agriculture Settlement Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Community Planning Political Economic (Commercial and Industrial) Demographic Government/Law Religion Military Technology Religion Environmental Adaptation _x__ Social/Educational/Cultural Transportation v. Resource Type: Category: Buildin s
Historic Environment: rural
Historic Function(s) and Use(s): first use domestic/single dwelling second use=
cultural/local theater
Known Design Source: 11; d.3-153
RESEARCH SYNOPSIS : OLNEY THEATER February 28, 1995
The actual building under examination is currently called the "Actors• Residence" of the Olney Theatre. It was originally a Victorian three story frame farmhouse built by Henry Davis between 1897 and 1898, when he and his wife, Elizabeth, moved in (Annals III, p 54). He died in 1898 and his widow occupied the house until her death in 1925. During 1921 or so the wrap around porch was added. At that time, the deed was transferred to her niece, Ethel Mackay ( Annals IV, p 479). In 1936 the Old Davis property which was, by then, known as "Woodlawn Lodge" , was sold to Steven Cohrave and Arthur Parker from Washington, who had plans to build a summer theater and dramatic school. The community was concerned and " .... looked on with apprehension and bated breath. Let us hope it is not the entering wedge to end our serene and rural character." Sometime prior to 1938 the "Pavilion" was built next door to the house for use for community functions such as dances and as a general gathering place. The "Actors' Residence" may also at some point have been used as a restaurant called "Charlie Forest Inn". In 1940 the 11 acre tract containing these buildings was purchased by C. Y. Stephens, the owner of High's Dairy which evolved into the chain of convenience stores that are now very common. He enclosed the Actors' Residence porch and built the theater itself over the
1 1~1: J3-J53
foundation of the pavilion in 1941. The theater officially opened in 1941 or 1942 and presented its first production. The rationing of gasoline brought about by world war II, forced its almost immediate closure. It reopened in 1946 as a stop on the " straw hat circuit" and has presented shows every year since then up to the present. In 1947 Mr. Stephens, who lived in Laurel, Maryland with his eight children, sent his cook to stay at the facility to prepare meals for the staff and entertainers during the open season. Initially most of the performances were put on by touring groups from New York. It was a primary professional theater in the area and the only Washington theater that never practiced racial discrimination. It attracted some comparatively famous performers since the summer heat made Broadway performances less well attended and typically less professional in scope. There were times that the accommodations of the Actors' Residence were inadequate to house the entertainers and some local houses took in boarders as needed to fill the demand. The famous actors found Olney Theatre to be unlike many of their stops on the circuit due to its remote and isolated location. This portion of the county was still "dry" and alcohol was not available without venturing reasonably far. Mr. Stephens did what he could to make the accommodations more inviting and in 1949 actually built a small swimming pool behind the Actors• Residence. This was used by the staff primarily in the day, but there are reports of some fairly wild cavortings during the nights.
2 11; ;i 3-!!53
In 1953, Mr. Stephens asked the Reverend Gilbert v. Hartke, O.P., head of the drama department at the Catholic university of America, to take over the administration of the theater. Mr. Stephens wanted to start a playhouse that would not only entertain the community, but that would also provide an opportunity for the training of acting students. He did so, and the theater opened that season under the management of Players, Inc. with a performance of Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman. This entity ultimately came to be known as the Olney Theatre Corporation, a 501 (C) (3). The Actors' Residence served as temporary accommodations for the actors, many of whom were at the time, or since have become, famous. There are currently five bedrooms on the second floor and three on the top floor. The first floor is currently used as administrative offices, kitchen, and general gathering area. Among those who played at the theater were Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Lillian Gish, Helen Hayes, Carol Channing ,Nancy Davis Reagan, Ian McKellen, Olivia de Haviland, Tallulah Bankhead, Jose Ferrer, John Carradine, Burl Ives, Paulette Goddard, E. G. Marshall, and Kitty Carlisle to mention only a few. Willard Scott, who was to become the much renown weatherman, had a part during the 1948 or 1949 season in which he had no lines but was a spear carrier. Impressive persons not only performed, but some attended as well including presidents Truman and Roosevelt. During the off-season the building has been used for a myriad of purposes including wedding receptions, mystery nights
3 (community fund raisers), and as a regular stop on tours of the County's important houses. In the winter of 1988 the Actors' Residence was used as a designers' showcase open to the public for a month to show antiques. Each room was decorated in a different style and named after one of the famous performers that had stayed there. More than 5,000 visitors toured the building during the month it was open. There are several interesting anecdotes relating to the building. It has been said that around 1949 Tallulah Bankhead was part of the group occupying the house. Her hours and raucous behavior were disruptive to some of the other members of the cast who complained about it. The problem was diplomatically solved by hurriedly refurbishing the unused small cottage on the property which had previously been used as a gas station. She was then invited to move into the "Star Cottage" which she promptly did. There are further rumors of her nocturnal wanderings about on Route 108, which was at the time a dirt road, clad in less than conventional attire. Helen Hayes daughter, Mary MacArthur, once performed as an ingenue in a romantic play in which the script called for the young man to suggest that they go outside, to which her reply would be to ask why. He would then answer "to look at the moon". On one particular evening the performance was disrupted by a little dog that had gotten loose and entered the stage, perhaps through the artificial fireplace in the scenery at just this intimate romantic moment. Someone corralled the dog and the
4 performance continued. The man asked Mary to go outside and she
asked why. He reportedly replied on this evening; 11 To kill the Goddamned Dog". Since the mood had been shattered already he used the opportunity to turn an embarrassment into a good joke enjoyed by all. There is another story told by a number of people about mysterious and unexplained events occurring in Room #3 when it is unoccupied. Various persons claim to have heard furniture moving around when no one is in the room as well as well as singing and piano playing on the porch and lights inexplicably turning off and on with no identifiable cause. One of the local newspapers
quoted a workman as saying, "It was back in 1 86. The guy was doing some plastering on the upper floors of the building. He was r-- there one night and never came back. All he said was, •you should
~have told me what was going on in that house. You should have ,told me about the ghosts.'" Adjacent to the structure described above is the theater itself which was totally renovated in 1991/2 and had an additional scene shop added creating a total space of 4900 square feet. Directly in front of the Actors• Residence Route 108 which is currently undergoing major reconstruction and will, when completed, change the two lane road into a major four lane highway. The Actors' Residence building has undergone dramatic and repeated alterations. It does, however, retain some of its original unique architectural elements. The building still has a
5
------~------~ standing seam metal roof, though in need of paint, which is for
the most part intact. An arched open portico is still in place on the second floor, though it has suffered visually from the installation of a third story fire escape stairway partially obstructing it as well as from the installation of large HVAC ductwork inside it. There is still one of the original round windows on the third floor rear of the building. There are a handful of examples of the distinguishing features remaining, but the comprehensive modifications to the building as well as the site have violated the integrity of the structure to render it ineligible for consideration for the Register on the merit of the structure alone. The significance under Category B of the Eligibility Criteria, however, makes a strong case for consideration for inclusion in the National Register.
enclosures: Montgomery County Historical Atlas Photographs Determination of no adverse effect(by Mont. Co) Site Plan Plan and Elevation of proposed ramp
Stevens T. Brown STB/pas:olhist
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