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May 2025 No. 19

Restored Balcony Doors Return

The Music Hall 1878 balcony double doors have returned after months of their meticulous restoration and preservation led by Adele Johnson of Architectural Reclamation. Standing 13 feet tall, they preside majestically over the “well” of the second-floor lobby and open onto the exterior balcony below the Rose Window.

This FMH-funded project preserved their original architectural beauty and uncovered stories of 19th-century artisans, industry, and immigrants who built Music Hall and our city.

Delve deeper into this fascinating project by reading the FMH Blog:

Restoration of Music Hall’s Balcony Doors: Craft, Industry, & Immigration Revealed

Your donation helps to preserve Music Hall!

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INTERIOR RESTORED (LEFT)

EXTERIOR RESTORED (RIGHT)

ADELE JOHNSON OF

ARCHITECTURAL RECLAMATION

Classical Pride Outdoor Tour

Tickets still available!

June 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Click here for Classical Pride Tickets

In celebration of Pride Month, join us for an outdoor tour of Music Hall led by the Friends of Music Hall tour guides followed by a private social hour at The Symphony Hotel’s Rooftop Bar. Ticket price includes a 60-minute guided tour, one specialty cocktail or beverage and snacks.

More Outdoor Tours of Music Hall

June 28 and July 26

Click here for Outdoor Tour Tickets

FMH's outdoor building tours explore Music Hall's history, the symbolism and design of the architecture, the challenges at every step of construction, and the people who made it happen, along with information on the culture and society of the neighborhood in 1878. Historians, preservationists, architecture enthusiasts, and adventurers alike will gain new insight into why Cincinnati Music Hall truly merits its designation as one of the best and most beautiful concert halls in the world.

New FMH Archives Room Ready To Collect Music Hall History

For the first time, Music Hall will have a purposefully designed archive room to store documents and artifacts relating to the building’s illustrious history. Following the 2017 renovation, FMH utilized an unfinished room for temporary storage. In April, fifteen FMH volunteers spent 10 days clearing out the dusty room to prepare it for new flooring, electrical outlets, lights, and a fresh coat of paint. Archival storage units will be installed in June. This safe shelving will enable FMH to maintain and build its ever-increasing collection of Music Hall historical artifacts for future generations.

If you have a piece of Music Hall history to donate, please contact FMH 513-744-3293