Venue Information

The original building which now houses the Bartell Theatre Foundation was a brick shell with three wooden floors, was built in 1906 by Frederick W. Kehl and was called the Colonial Hall, home of the Kehl Dance Academy. Shortly after opening, bowling alleys were installed in the first floor. The second floor held the Colonial Hall, a large meeting room in which dance recitals were held frequently as well as meeting of various community groups. The Kehl Dance Academy occupied the third floor with office and dance studios.

Colonial Hali:Frederick W. Kehl and his wife Barbara D. (also known as Dora) continued to teach Colonial Halldancing – modern and classical ballet, ballroom, tap, and more – for many years in the top two floors.  About 1913 a Mr. F. W. Starkweather became the manager of the Colonial Hall and converted the Bowling Alleys into the Colonial Pool and Billiard Club, Inc. In 1916 it was the Capitol Bowling Alley, and in 1917 the left side of the fi ...