Boardwalk Hall
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| Atlantic City Convention Hall | |
|---|---|
| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
| Location: | Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA |
| Built/Founded: | 1926 |
| Architect: | Lockwood-Greene & Co. |
| Architectural style(s): | Other |
| Designated as NHL: | February 27, 1987[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | February 27, 1987[2] |
| NRHP Reference#: | 87000814 |
| Governing body: | Local |
Boardwalk Hall, also known as the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall is an arena which served as the primary convention center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, until the 1997 opening of the Atlantic City Convention Center.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.[1][3]
Boardwalk Hall played host to the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies ice hockey team from 2001-2005. The arena seats 10,500 people for hockey, and can accommodate over 17,000 for concerts. It was the regular venue of the Miss America Pageant until 2004, and hosted the WWF's WrestleMania IV and V in 1988 and 1989. In September 2007, Boardwalk Hall hosted the Kelly Pavlik - Jermain Taylor boxing match for the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organization, and Ring Magazine middleweight championships. The Atlantic 10 Conference will hold its 2007 and 2008 men’s basketball championships there.
In 2001, the Boardwalk Hall's $90 million renovation was unveiled to the public. The restoration received many awards, including the 2003 National Preservation Award, Building Magazine's 2002 Modernization Award, and Billboard magazine recognized Boardwalk Hall as the top grossing mid-sized arena in the United States in 2003 and 2004.
It was also the host of the 1964 Democratic National Convention that nominated Lyndon Baines Johnson for President only months following the assassination of his predecessor, John F. Kennedy. The following week, thousands of screaming rock fans packed the Hall for one of The Beatles largest concerts in their first American tour. The arena was also the spot of a classic and widely boot-legged Rolling Stones concert in 1989. The concert which was shown on Pay-per-view television was widely remembered by fans for a mishap where viewers were cut off from the performance during the song Satisfaction. It was also the venue of the former Boardwalk Bowl college football game in the 1960s and 70s, and the 1964 Liberty Bowl. In 1996, Boardwalk Hall saw the United States beat Spain 5-0 in Fed Cup (Women's version of Davis Cup) and saw Monica Seles's return following her 1993 stabbing.
Built in 1929, it became the home of the world's largest pipe organ, the Main Auditorium Organ, as listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. However, due to a lack of stewardship, the condition of the organ was allowed to deteriorate and is no longer fully functional. A restoration program is currently underway.
The Boardwalk Hall is adjacent to the Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino.
| Preceded by - |
Miss America Pageant Venue 1921 - 2004 |
Succeeded by Theatre for the Performing Arts Las Vegas Strip, Paradise, Nevada |
| Preceded by John F. Kennedy Stadium 1959 – 1963 |
Home of the Liberty Bowl 1964 |
Succeeded by Liberty Bowl Stadium 1965 – present |
| Preceded by Pontiac Silverdome |
Host of WrestleMania IV & WrestleMania V 1988 - 1989 |
Succeeded by Skydome |
- ^ a b Atlantic City Convention Hall. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-10-13.
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ James H. Charleton (June 17, 1985), National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Atlantic City Convention HallPDF (735 KiB), National Park Service and Accompanying 12 photos, exterior and interior, from 1977, 1985 and undated.PDF (1.49 MiB)
Categories: National Historic Landmarks of the United States | Atlantic Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Venues | College basketball venues | NCAA bowl game venues | Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States | Sports venues in New Jersey | Registered Historic Places in New Jersey | World Wrestling Entertainment venues