1119 Williamson Street | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

1119 Williamson Street

Architecture and History Inventory
1119 Williamson Street | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:Meek's Auto Painting Company
Other Name:Broom Street Theater
Contributing:
Reference Number:241087
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):1119 Williamson Street
County:Dane
City:Madison
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1930
Additions:
Survey Date:2019
Historic Use:garage (residential)
Architectural Style:Astylistic Utilitarian Building
Structural System:
Wall Material:Wood
Architect:
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name:Not listed
National Register Listing Date:
State Register Listing Date:
NOTES
Additional Information:City of Madison, Wisconsin Underrepresented Communities Historic Resource Survey Report:

Artistic explorations of queerness helped to promote positive visibility for the LGBTQ community. The Broom Street Theater was founded in 1969 by Stuart Gordon. Their first production was at 152 E. Johnson Street. From 1970 through 1975, the group staged performances at St. Francis House Episcopal Student Center at 1001 University Avenue (now 1011 University Avenue) and had an office at the University YMCA at 306 North Brooks Street. In 1976 and 1977, the group struggled to find a permanent home, staging shows at Calvary Methodist Church at 633 W. Badger Road, the Hillel Foundation at 611 Langdon Street (not extant), and the Eagles Club at 1236 Jenifer Street (not extant). They purchased 1119 Williamson Street in 1977. Later that year, the group moved into the new building permanently and still resides there today. The Broom Street Theater group has been staging plays and experimental works with queer themes since the group purchased the building at 1119 Williamson Street in 1977.
Bibliographic References:
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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