PROMO Prince Hall Free & Accepted Mason and Order of the Eastern Star Charitable Educational Foundation
  • Contact us
  • 1000 U St., NW Suite 324 Washington, D.C. 20001
  • info@phfamoescef.org
  • 202-667-5221

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Prince Hall Center for the Performing Arts
From its origins as a ballroom that hosted Duke Ellington and W.C. Handy, to its current role as an entertainment, meeting, and charity venue, the historic facility located on the 2nd Floor of the Masonic Temple at 1000 U Street, NW has remained a cultural center for Washington, D.C. Managed by the Prince Hall Free & Accepted Mason and the Order of the Eastern Star Charitable Educational Foundation (PHFAMOESCEF), a non-profit organization with the purpose of giving back to the community, this unique, historic space is home to an array of amenities and community events. With over 4,200 square feet of usable space, the Prince Hall Center for the Performing Arts is open to the general public, civic associations, corporations, charitable and private organizations for leasing.

Timetables

Mon – Fri9 – 10pm
Sat – Sun9 – 12pm

History

In the 1920’s, the Prince Hall Freemasons built its six-story building at 1000 U Street NW with construction commencing in 1922 and ending in 1929. The architect who designed the building, Albert Cassell, is also known for prominent buildings on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. and Morgan State University in Baltimore. The building primary use at that time was for meetings of Prince Hall Masons & Eastern Stars. It also housed the downtown office for UPO, a duck pin bowling alley for the community, and one of two ballrooms that African Americans could rent for meetings and social affairs on U Street.


The Prince Hall Center for the Performing Arts hosted some of the top musicians and several of them were Freemasons themselves (i.e. Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and W.C. Handy). The Masonic Temple was one of the few buildings on U Street to never close its doors during the economic decline of the neighborhood following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s. It always has been a place for the African American youth, community leaders, politicians, and city activist to gather for debate.

In the 1970s, the Prince Hall Center for the Performing Arts once again was the culture cornerstone for a new genre of music called Go-Go, which the Legendary Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, made famous playing weekly for 20 years at the Historic Prince Hall Center.

 

In the 1990s, thanks to a revitalization project started by then Mayor Marion S. Barry and the creation of The African-American Civil War Memorial Museum on the 1st floor of the Masonic Temple by former Councilmember Frank Smith, the 1000 block of U Street flourished. The Historic Masonic Temple was given a face lift when CVS opened its doors in the building and the Prince Hall Center for the Performing Arts was newly renovated.

Reservations (Prince Hall Center for the Performing Arts)

The Prince Hall Center for the Performing Arts at the Historic Masonic Temple is available for rental for social affairs, weddings, business meetings, corporate functions, civic gatherings, benefit concerts, music recitals, charitable activities, and fitness classes.

Entertain your guests in a venue that values preservation. The original high quality acoustic sound and flooring of the performance stage and ballroom have been preserved. The center seats 500 patrons and features a full-service kitchen and bar.

For more information, contact the Prince Hall Free & Accepted Mason and the Order of the Eastern Star Charitable Educational Foundation (PHFAMOESCEF) event coordinator by clicking the “Reserve Now” button and submitting the required information.

Discount prices are available for non-profit groups and organizations.

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Brent Dining Room

*Members only

The Brent Dining at the Historic Masonic Temple is available for rental for social affairs, business meetings, lodge/chapter functions, charitable activities, and repasts.

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