Classical Greek Architecture Found in Harrisburg

Arika J. Hawk

Professor Bomboy

Modern Culture and the Arts

5 June 2016

Classical Greek Architecture Found in Harrisburg

            The city of Harrisburg may be known for being the capital of Pennsylvania, but it also has a historically based architectural side in many of its buildings. One of the biggest tourist sites in Harrisburg is The Forum Auditorium (or the Forum, for short), which is located on 500 Walnut Street, Harrisburg Pennsylvania, 17120.  (Services 1) The Harrisburg Forum Auditorium “is an event venue located adjacent to the Pennsylvania State Library in the Capitol Complex. The historic venue was built between 1929 and 1931 in the style of an open-air Greek amphitheater used to host concerts, public meetings, government events, and lectures. (Services 1) The following paragraphs will explain the connections between the Forum Auditorium and Classical Greek architecture.

            Gloria K. Fiero, an author with a Masters in Art History and PH.D. in Interdisciplinary Humanities writes “The words ‘classic’ and ‘classical’ are commonly used to mean ‘first-rate’ and ‘enduring.’ They also describe a style [that] dominated the art of ancient Greece [who] provided a standard of beauty and excellence that was preserved and imitated for centuries.” (Fiero 114) The Classical Style portrayed in ancient Greece set way for a new era of arts, literature, philosophy, and education. Unlike most cultures before them, the Greeks saw their gods as family; immortals that interacted with humans on day to day life. With this new way of thinking, the human body became more accepted in paintings, statues, and other forms of art. The Greek Olympic Games were designed to honor the gods by providing a form of entertainment to encourage relaxation from daily struggles. Much like the Olympic Games, theatrical performances were given to provide entertainment while still honoring the gods. These plays were conducted twice a year instead of every four years like the Olympic Games. Instead of sporting events, dramas and tragedies were preformed to describe “the relationship between the individual, the community, and the gods.” (Fiero 90)

The performances involved either tragedy with death and sacrifices, or comedies depicted through rebirth and celebrations. “The great theater at Epidaurus was dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine.” (Fiero 90) (See figure 01) It is believed that hundreds of plays were preformed during the century, but only forty-four have survived to current day. The theater itself was structured as an “open-air theater(s) built into the hillsides, at sacred sites throughout Greece. These acoustically superb structures, which seated between 13,000 and 27,000 people, featured an orchestra, a skene (an area that functioned as a dressing room), and an alter dedicated to the god Dionysus” (Fiero 91) The theater was designed in a semi-circular layout with the alter in the center of the semi-circle, where the gods would be seated, shared with the orchestra. (See figure 02) Around the circle, seats were placed and as they expanded out, the seating quality lowered. The flat side of the semi-circle was where the stage, skene, and ramp was placed. This allowed for the entire audience to see the performance, regardless of seating location. The structure of the Epidaurus has been copied throughout history, and is the design that was used in the building of The Forum Auditorium located in Harrisburg, PA.

Figure 01: Epidaurus, Theater Built in Classical Greece

Figure 02: Epidaurus Layout

The Forum Auditorium greatly resembles the theater at Epidaurus. The interior of the theater contains a central stage with a semi-circular seating pattern, elevating up as the seats move back and out from the stage, almost identical to that of Epidaurus. The architects, William Gehron and Sidney Ross, went with this seating arrangement because of the efficiency and purpose for the Greek theaters. (See figures 03-04) “Both theaters and temples functioned as public meeting places.” (Fiero 123) The architects built the Forum to encourage the arts and humanities throughout the community, but also honoring the heritage of the art community at the same time. What a better way to honor the founders of theater than creating a replica of their buildings. The semi-circular seating also provides ample hearing and for the entire audience.

Figure 03: The Forum Auditorium Seating, Side View

Figure 04: The Forum Auditorium Seating

The exterior of the Forum is just as artistically advanced and impressive as the interior. Surrounding the entrance of the auditorium are fourteen bronze and glass doors designed by Lee Oskar Lawrie, each approximately twelve feet high, by three feet six inches wide, by one and three quarter inches thick. (See figures 05-08) Each door is engraved with unique figures, symbols, and actions. Some of the symbols include the portrait of Socrates and Archimedes demonstrating his level. Socrates was “Athens’ foremost philosopher” (Fiero 101) and is known for changing the way of Greek thinking from following set doctrines designed by the gods, and “employed a rigorous question-and-answer technique known as the dialectical method.” (Fiero 102) The dialectical method began a new pattern of thinking of questioning everything instead of accepting it at face value which then eventually leading to new scientific, mathematical, and medical breakthroughs.

Figure 05: The Forum Auditorium Exterior Door

Figure 06: The Forum Auditorium Exterior Door Art

Figure 07: The Forum Auditorium Exterior Door Art

Figure 08: The Forum Auditorium Exterior Door Art

            In conclusion, the Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania bases the majority of its architecture and artistic designs from the Classical Greece period in history. Not only is this building a gorgeous salute to history and our forefathers, but it is also a great door opener to encourage the study of arts, history, and theater. The building hosts a majority of events and encourages generation after generation to remain intact with their artistic side. This building is one example of countless buildings around the world inspired by the Classical Greek style and design.

Works Cited

Department of General Services, PA.Gov. The Forum Auditorium. n.d. Print. 03 06 2016.

Fiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition Vol. I. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2015. Print.

Services, SP+ Municipal. Park Harrisburg. 2016. Print. 03 06 2016.

Works, Hyperion. History of Astrology. 2016. Print. 03 06 2016.