Organizers of the Woodland Theater at 608 NW 65th Street are asking the public to share stories and photos ahead of the venue’s 100th anniversary this year.
Built in 1926, the space has operated under a range of names over the past century, including the Josephine, Jigsaw Records, Estradasphere, the Chummery, 608 Warehouse, Ballard Playhouse, and Woodland Theater. It has also hosted a variety of groups and businesses, such as the Sun City Girls, Bombshelter Video, P.R. Hart & Company, and Woodland Ski Arena, which operated an indoor ski slope around 1960.
Today, the venue functions as a multi-use creative space for musicians and artists, hosting all-ages shows, films, exhibits, workshops, and markets throughout the year. Its organizers are now part of the Vera Project.
To mark the centennial, organizers are working with Tome Press to publish a commemorative book featuring historical images and stories that reflect the building’s history. They are particularly seeking memories and materials from the pre-social media era between 1980 and 2010.
Community members can submit stories or photos by contacting the organizers on Instagram.
Photos courtesy Tom Eykemans