ELKHORN – The Wisconsin Historical Society has updated the listing of the Elkhorn Band shell in the National Register of Historic Places to reflect a new statewide level of significance.
The Elkhorn Band shell, build in 1931, was originally listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 as a local example of a Classical Revival Bandshell.
Additional Documentation was accepted at the National Park Service to list the band shell at the statewide level of significance because new information revealed it is among the best and earliest example of this type of innovative band shell design that improved sound quality.
The band shell has an unusual design due to the construction method and materials of the rear stage wall and ceiling that uses a wooden hollow-body soundboard with tonal slots and a mixing chamber. It is architecturally attractive with the wood wainscot and bead-board curved rear wall, hanging pendant lights, and flanking ionic columns capped with a dentilated entablature and crenelated parapet adorned with applied musical filigree.
The Elkhorn Band Shell stands as one of two remaining band shells in Wisconsin from this era that are reflective of the technology of the time, as well as the only intact example designed by architect George Pheby in the United States.
This change in the level of significance is due to a better understanding of historic band shells in the state and a better understanding of how innovative the design was for its time. The band shell originally stood on the courthouse square and was moved to its current location in Sunset Park in 1962.
Additional information for the Elkhorn Bandshell is available HERE.
To learn more about the State and National Register programs in Wisconsin, visit: https://wisconsinhistory.org/hp/register/