Historic Neighborhood Playhouse: 1915-1917 Arts Hub

The photograph captures the Neighborhood Playhouse, taken between 1915 and 1917. This institution, established in New York City, was among the early efforts to provide arts education in the neighborhood for both children and adults. The Playhouse aimed to foster creativity and community engagement, reflecting the progressive era’s push for accessible cultural experiences.

Produced by the Bain News Service, the negative showcases the building’s architecture and its surroundings, offering a snapshot of early 20th-century urban life. Published on January 14, 1917, in The Sunday Oregonian, this image serves as a historical record of a time when community centers began to play a vital role in the social and cultural fabric of American cities.