Property Record
2212 W GREENFIELD AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | GREENFIELD THEATER / PASTIME THEATER |
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| Other Name: | NORWAY HOUSE |
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| Reference Number: | 67948 |
| Location (Address): | 2212 W GREENFIELD AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1910 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19852015 |
| Historic Use: | theater/opera house/concert hall |
| Architectural Style: | Spanish/Mediterranean Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | ARTHUR KIENAPPEL |
| Other Buildings On Site: | N |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 2015- "This heavily modified former movie theater has a gabled roof and is clad with brick. The gable and the upper portion of the main (south) facade are now covered with wooden shingles and display a slight eave overhang. A tall recess on the south facade that once contained the main entrance, marquee and signage is now infilled with a lighter shade of brick. The main entrance is topped by a glass-block transom and is flanked on each side by two tall-and-narrow, glass-block windows. A bank of four, modern, one-over-one, double-hung sashes is located above the entrance on the second floor. The space to either side of the recess at the ground level features a former movie poster display area within a decorative stone surround. Meanwhile, immediately above are multi-light casement windows situated within a round-arch opening topped with ornamental stonework. Designed by architect Atthur Kienappel, the Greenfield Theater was built in 1910. It was remodeled and renamed the Pastime Theater in 1923. The theater suffered from minor damage from a bomb explosion in 1930. From the late 1930s to 1957, the building was known as the Abbey Theater after which time it became a Sons of Norway lodge. The Sons of Norway's origins in Milwaukee date to 1940 and the organization met at several locations before acquiring the subject building. The group completed a $40,000 remodeling of the interior and used the building for meetings, dinners and social events into the 1980s. The building most recently was the home of Journey House, Inc., a social services organization; it now appears to be vacant." - "W. Greenfield Ave, S 35th St (west) to S. Cesar Chavez Dr (east)", WISDot #2230-00-04, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (Faltinson), (2015). Seating capacity--648 Pastime Theater (Milwaukee City Directory) (1931-1934) Greenfield Theater (1914-1930-City Directory) Joseph Scherer was the owner in the time of construction * Associated with the history and culture of Norweigans in Milwaukee. Designed by architect Arthur Kienappel, the Greenfield Theater was built in 1910. It received minor damage from a bomb explosion in 1930 and was known at the Pastime Theater by 1932. From the late 1930s to 1957 patrons saw movies at the Abbey Theater after which time it became a Sons of Norway lodge. The building most recently was the home of Journey House, Inc., a social services organization; it now appears to be vacant. |
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| Bibliographic References: | BUILDING PERMIT. Milwaukee City Directories Headley, Robert, "The Theaters of Milwaukee", Journal of the Theatre Hist. Society, 1971, p12 “Greenfield Theater,” Material online at http://cinematreasures.org, Accessed May 2015. “Theater Bombs Arouse Police,” Milwaukee Sentinel, 18 June 1930, Part 2, Page 1. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |