The Social Hall was a gathering place for early pioneer entertainment.Utah State Historical Society
When the footings and basement walls of the Social Hall were uncovered, a protective steel and-glass structure was built over them on the east side of State Street,
just south of South Temple. By going down several steps,
visitors can see the original basement stones and displays that explain the importance of Social Hall.
David M. Whitchurch
For seventy years, pioneers gathered here to shake off the hardships of frontier life with music, dancing, parties, theatricals (President Brigham Young had starred as the high priest in the production of Pizarro back in Nauvoo and was a patron of the arts), lectures, and good company. The Social Hall was dedicated New Year’s Day 1853, only five and a half years after the Mormon pioneers arrived in Salt Lake City. Special legislative sessions were sometimes held in it as well. It had the capacity to seat three hundred fifty people, though four hundred people often crowded into it.
The Mutual Improvement Association and the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association created a marker to celebrate the old Social Hall.
David M. Whitchurch
This monument marks the site of the social hall, the first recreation center in the intermountain west. Built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of Brigham Young. Made of plastered adobe walls with native wood floors and roof. Auditorium 40 by 60 feet, seating 350 persons— stage 20 by 40 feet—dressing rooms and banquet hall in basement. Dedicated January 1, 1853.
Seating for 350 people was provided in the main hall.Utah State Historical Society
Here the Deseret Dramatic Association conducted many home talent theatricals, musicales and other festivities. Sessions of the legislature, official meetings, receptions, banquets and other social functions were held here. The Mutual Improvement Associations used it as theatre, library and gymnasium. In 1922 the building was razed.
Emmeline B. Wells recalled Christmas at the Social Hall.
She was a powerful proponent for women’s suffrage
and became the fifth general Relief Society president in 1910 at age eighty-two.
She was a powerful proponent for women’s suffrage
and became the fifth general Relief Society president in 1910 at age eighty-two.
Daughters of Utah Pioneers
Christmas Party
Emmeline B. Wells described the first Christmas party at Social Hall:
When the Social Hall was built [in 1852], Christmas was sometimes celebrated there with dancing parties. . . . [President Young] was foremost in making the affair a grand success. . . . Hon. John W. Young, then only a boy, handed the presents down from the tree, and I recollect Brother Brigham standing and pointing with his cane, and telling John just which to take down, and so on; the children werewild with delight and some of the mothers were quite as much elated, though not as demonstrative. After the Santa Claus tree was stripped of its gifts, the floor was cleared and the dancing commenced, and there was good music, too, and President Young led the dance, and cut a pigeon wing, to the great delight of the little folks. In fact, I think the evening was almost entirely given up to the children’s festivities, and the older ones, the fathers and mothers and more especially President Young, made them supremely happy for that one Christmas eve.
The Mutual Improvement Association and the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association
created a marker to celebrate the old Social Hall.
created a marker to celebrate the old Social Hall.
David M. Whitchurch
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