A little deeper into Sherman Hill historic neighborhood.
In my explorations of Sherman Hill, I parked across the street from a building that made me wonder, “What is that?” It looked as private as a mansion and had a huge parking lot as if it were an arts venue. A large sign to the right advertised, “Hoyt Sherman Place”! This marker answered none of my questions.
After scratching my head at bit, I was forced to Google for the answer. Hoyt Sherman Place, I learned, is a mansion-turned-theater. From the pictures online, this was very much something I wanted to see inside. There were no events coming up that I could attend, but I thought I’d run down again on a bright, cold weekday morning and take a peek inside.
I walked up to the mansion’s main entrance and went inside, completely forgetting everything except the dazzling interior. The chandeliers! The dark wood paneling! Everything ornate, tasteful, and antique.
A voice to my right said, “Can I help you?”
I turned to see an elegant, gray-haired lady sitting behind a massive carved desk of dark wood. It was an imposing welcome. Her name was Ruth, and a strange look crossed her face when I wondered if it was okay to take some pictures, but she made a call and gave me the go-ahead. I was in!
Right off the entryway was a small museum.
And then, the theatre.
For a long time I wandered in that amazing theatre, struggling to take pictures in the dim interior. I still don’t feel I captured the true red velvet glow of the seats, the elegance of the Persian runner rugs, or the sweep of the ceiling and balcony. The atmosphere was transportive. This was another world… one where satin dresses and diamonds wouldn’t be out of place.
Hoyt Sherman Place was completed in 1877 and the complete history can be read here. An Iowan from my Toastmasters group confided in me that William Hoyt Sherman had been the brother of William Tecumseh Sherman (eleven siblings in that family). The Des Moines Women’s Club still manages all of the events held in the venue (my pictures don’t include the massive ballroom or the grounds) and when I visited, I could hear a meeting being held behind a heavy door that somehow managed to discuss nuances of a buffet with all the gravitas you’d expect of a 125-year-old organization.
What an incredible, inspiring place! If I’m in Des Moines during Nutcracker season… you know where to find me.
~ The Dauntless Princess ~