The Splendor of Raleigh’s Little Theatre and Rose Garden
Nearly every city, suburb, or rural area has beautiful green spaces that are adored by locals, for various reasons. It may be a public park, a hidden path in a forest, ruins of a long abandoned house, or a garden – but to those who love them, it remains a place of solitude and source of happiness. One such place that maintains this status with me is the Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden and Little Theatre, in the Rosemont community near NC State campus.
Due in no small part to the way finding signs on Hillsborough Street and near one of the only grocery stores in the area, it was one of my early finds after moving here. Being relatively new to photography and discovering an area filled with dozens of beautiful rose bushes was quite a find. It was the proverbial barrel full of fish to shoot at. I was instantly infatuated with this little patch of green speckled with reds, whites, yellows, and many other colors of the spectrum.
A couple of years ago I was treated to a nice surprise here. While setting out on foot for things to photograph for this blog, I heard what sounded like a concert. After traveling a short distance toward the sound, I was quite surprised to discover an Elvis Tribute Concert! It was a wonderful and unexpected surprise for my Friday night.
A short time later it also was the area in which I spent the night and waking hours looking for my lost dog. The people that live in the Rosemont community came together to help me find a scared and lost puppy, and with their help I eventually located her.
Many people aren’t aware of the rich and colorful history the Raleigh Little Theatre and Rose Garden has. One such example sometimes cited is that a young performer named Andy Griffith performed here in the 1940s.
The Raleigh Little Theatre was born in 1936 after two earlier unsuccessful attempts to bring theatre and arts to Raleigh. The fledgling group first met at the now demolished Hugh Morson High School in 1936, and shortly thereafter performed in several other auditoriums, including the third floor of the Briggs Building, now home to the Raleigh City Museum.
During this time of performing in various locations, the plans were being made to utilize the land formerly used as a race track for the second location of the State Fairgrounds (read comments on a previous post, ‘Horse Track Alley’, for more information).
Money was raised for the new theatre in the form of soliciting donations as well as the sale pasteboard bricks. Perhaps this sale of bricks was similar to the Buy a brick campaign, launched in the 90s and pictured above, but that’s just a guess.
In the early part of 1940, as the facility neared completion, the funds for construction ran out. Shortly thereafter, President Roosevelt personally approved a Works Progress Administration fund of $22,000 to complete the project. Â The grassroots effort was finally finished, and Raleigh residents had their theatre.
History wasn’t just made in the completion of the theatre, but in the building itself. It was designed by William Deitrick, considered the “Father of Historic Preservation” in Raleigh. What is unique is that although he earned this title for efforts such as restoring the old water tower near Capitol Square, he was also one of the area’s first architects to actively promote the international style of modernist architecture.
The theatre is considered by many to be area’s first example of this new style.
It wasn’t until about 8 years later (1948) that the beautifully landscaped rose garden was first planted, consisting of some 3,000 bushes. I’d wager that the Rose Garden is slightly more prominent in the minds of many residents than the Little Theatre is.
According to the Raleigh Little Theatre web site, the site is the display garden for all new roses presented by the All American Rose Society, including 56 different varieties.
It’s quite a popular spot for weddings and other special events. Above is a bridal portrait I took for my friend Jordan.
Beyond the picturesque scenes of the rose garden during the spring and summer months, it’s a lovely place to spend time even when flowers aren’t in bloom.
The rock archways form a semicircle that is surrounded by beautiful foliage. In addition, there are several hidden and serene spots for lovers and friends, young and old.
On days that I walk home from work, I will intentionally take the long route home just so I can cut through the garden. It’s a welcome respite after a long day.
On the night I got a few of the photographs in this post, I sat lying on my back gazing at the stars under the canopy waiting for the long exposure above. There are precious few places near downtown in which one can be in such a place, and see the stars at night.
The Rose Garden and Little Theatre is by far one of my favorite places to be for no particular reason.
01/06/2010
Thanks for this history of the Rose Garden and Little Theatre John. I didn’t know all the history.
As an FYI, the Rose Garden is where my wife and I got engaged, although it was December, so the roses weren’t exactly in bloom – still beautiful none the less. As I recall, we weren’t even the only ones there that day, as several other people where wandering about.
01/06/2010
Wow, you sure covered all the bases with this post John — history, nature, horticulture, architecture, the different seasons, nighttime, daytime — good job! (I especially loved the account of finding your lost pup Casi from the link to that article. I had not read that one before.) Great mix of pics, too.
I myself have witnessed my share of Rose Garden weddings and various performances in the amphitheater. However, the event that really stands out in my mind is a production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” I saw there many years ago. It was performed in the Rose Garden itself on a warm summer evening, and the garden setting lent a special magic to Shakespeare’s playful fantasy romp. I can still smell the sweet aroma of the thousands roses in bloom. Thanks for jogging my memory, John!
As far as Raleigh’s first example of the Internationalist style of modernist architecture — I for one would consider William Henley Deitrick’s Rex Hospital “Nurses Home” on Saint Mary’s St. to take that honor. It was built in 1939 and is a text-book example of the Internationalist style. On the otherhand, a close contender for “first” might be the former Nehi plant on Hillsboro St., also designed by Deitrick, and also built in 1939.
01/06/2010
Awesome. Proposed to my wife in the garden. Then, years later, took family photos there. Always will be a special place.
01/06/2010
Wonderful — I especially love the historical photos showing the neighborhood in the 1930s. Led me to write up some remembrances from the 1960s and 1970s.
01/06/2010
Great article! My girlfriend and I love the rose garden and didn’t realize there was so much history around it.
01/06/2010
I hate that the ampitheater is so underused. It is used, what, once a year by RLT? When is the last time anyone heard of a concert or production there? It is city owned, I assume. Plus parking is an issue, but I still think it is a waste of a wonderful venue.
01/07/2010
Beautiful post. This is my favorite spot in the Triangle and you have served it well with this post. I lived literally across the street while I was at NC State but I think I spent more time there than I did in my apartment.
Funny you should point out that “there are several hidden and serene spots for lovers and friends, young and old” because on my first date with my girlfriend (now of 2.5 years) we went through the rose gardens during our walk. It was after dark, and I wanted to take her to show her a cool, secret path near the back (by all those bamboo-looking plants). Well we nearly stepped on some people lying there in their sleeping bags. It scared the shit out of all of us, but made the night all the more special.
God bless the the Little Theatre and Rose Garden.
01/07/2010
Love the information this site provides! I proposed to my wife at the Rose Garden as well. We have not been back there in a while but will certainly make a trip this year! Thanks GOODNIGHT RALEIGH!
01/10/2010
Midsummers Night Dream. I was a fairy in that production. It was great fun. And Oklahoma. A horse on the ampitheater stage. What a hoot.
01/11/2010
the Rose Garden is magic. you know what makes it even more magical? flashlight freeze tag in the Rose Garden, which happened quite a few times way back in oh-nine and will be happening again in ‘ten.
01/15/2010
They hold Drag Bingo events in the amphitheater from time to time. Always a good time.
01/18/2010
The street (Gardner/Pougue) that almost circles around the Rose Garden was the actual track that went around the old fairgrounds.
03/16/2010
The reason shows are not held as frequently in the Amphitheatre is–weather! It is very expensive to mount a show (obtaining the performance rights–which have to be paid by the capacity of the theatre, not by actual ticket sales, so think of what it costs per show for that amphitheatre!–sets, costumes, props, (often) paying an orchestra, and they also have to pay for security…and then, sometimes it can rain a whole weekend, and there go those shows and the ticket sales. Usually they can only afford to do two weekends for an outdoor show outside, and if one or part of one is rained out, it’s very expensive. Also, even without rain, often it is simply too hot or too cold, which keeps the crowds away. We have become a spoiled species and want climate control everywhere!
Also–as a veteran of several amphitheatre shows myself, I know that items are frequently stolen from out there–set pieces, lights, and such. It just becomes a grand hassle to deo something out there, so they’ve started using it for smaller endeavors (or for Shakespeare, which has no performance rights, and somehow it just SEEMS right to be watching Shakespeare outside :)
05/24/2010
I just directed a show in the amphitheatre, and it was such an awesome experience! Around the time the sun starts to set, the birds start chirping. Sometimes we would all get very sweaty at rehearsals because of the high humidity. Other nights, we could see our breath because it would get so cold in that little valley. There was frequent use of sunscreen, bug spray, and Claritin. It’s very hard on the staff, it’s hard on the actors, and it was hard on me. But I think it’s worth it to continue to produce shows there. It’s an historical landmark, the plants are spectacular, and as an audience member, it’s a great place to bring a picnic and listen to music and words under the stars.
I was worried about theft out there, but according to some of the veterans I talked to, there has been some theft and vandalism, but it has not been frequent. We did have 7 baby birds to work around during light hang. We had one friendly drunk watch a rehearsal and cheer loudly, and one harmless homeless person who changed clothes and bedded down in the wings while we were focusing lights late one night.
My dream would be to find a corporate benefactor to sponsor FREE Shakespeare in the park every summer!
03/05/2011
can someone get married at the rose garden and if so how much would it cost.
03/06/2011
magan — I’ve attended several weddings at the Rose Garden over the years. Fees are probably nominal. Here’s the contact info — http://raleighlittletheatre.org/about/rosegarden.html
03/08/2011
Really enjoyed this article and the related comments in the year since it was published here! When I first heard that downtown Raleigh was getting a new amphitheater, I immediately imagined a copy of the Rose Garden (Stephenson) amphitheater, complete with downtown office workers and convention center visitors lounging and lunching in the sun…maybe enjoying an occasional free afternoon concert or play (or rehearsal).
Of course reality is a nearly flat and mostly concrete area, fenced and pad-locked when not in use, and permanently wrapped in blue construction plastic. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad for the downtown amphitheater, and will even visit it (if they ever have any jazz, classical, world music, or theatre). But it is no Rose Garden amphitheater. I know, I know – it was a $$ thing, right?
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