A TREASURED VENUE IS REBORN
History
Memorial Hall is conveniently located in the heart of the revitalized arts district of Over-the-Rhine. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, this exquisite venue overlooks Washington Park, and is neighbor to Music Hall, the Transept, the School for Creative and Performing Arts, and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
Built in 1908 by the Grand Army of the Republic, the Hamilton County Memorial Building stands as a monument to the Cincinnati veterans of the Spanish-American War and the U.S. Civil War.
Designed by Samuel Hannaford & Sons, the hall features marble staircases adorned with intricate wrought iron that lead to the 556-seat proscenium theater, dubbed the Annie W. and Elizabeth M. Anderson Theater. Exceptional acoustics, decorative murals and Tiffany chandeliers enhance this historic performance space, completed with stenciled murals by Francis Pedretti.
Clement Barnhorn, a locally prominent sculptor, carved six figures above the exterior doors, each wearing a military uniform representing forces from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish American War.
Memorial Hall also houses a special collection of artwork and artifacts of local civic and military history. More than 40 pieces are on display throughout the building, including the storied wreath that is said to have adorned Abraham Lincoln's casket when it passed through Columbus, Ohio. Other pieces previously on display are under the care of the Hamilton County Public Library and the Cincinnati Museum Center.
The venue underwent an $11 million renovation between 2014 and 2016, adding air conditioning, modern patron amenities and state-of-the-art audiovisual components to the historic facility.
Today, Memorial Hall hosts 300 events and nearly 100,000 patrons each year. It was named “Favorite Concert Venue” by Cincinnati Magazine readers in 2026 and is regarded as one of Cincinnati’s premier hosts of special events.
Noteworthy cultural figures and events and appearing at the hall post-renovation include:
Ambrosia
Joe Burrow
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Rosanne Cash
Bootsy Collins
Judy Collins
Robert Cray
Christopher Cross
Emilio Estevez
Bela Fleck
Renee Fleming
Rhiannon Giddens
Jefferson Starship
Taj Mahal
Mario
Branford Marsalis
Dave Mason
Christian McBride
Del McCoury
AJ McLean
Andrew McMahon
Pat Metheny
The Moth Radio Hour
Graham Nash
John Oates
Carl Palmer
Salman Rushdie
Martin Sheen
Ricky Skaggs
Kevin Smith
Esperanza Spalding
Mavis Staples
Rick Steves
Billy Strings
Zac Taylor
Chris Thile
Victor Wooten
Memorial Hall is owned by Hamilton County and operated by 3CDC in collaboration with CMHS.
Click here to view photos and take our virtual tour.
Scroll through the gallery below for photos taken during the renovation and after its completion. Or, click on the button to view construction photos for the entire year-long project.
