The Tacony Music Hall is an historic, American building that is located in the Tacony neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tacony Music Hall
Tacony Music Hall is located in Philadelphia
Tacony Music Hall
Tacony Music Hall is located in Pennsylvania
Tacony Music Hall
Tacony Music Hall is located in the United States
Tacony Music Hall
Location4815–4819 Longshore Ave.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°1′28″N 75°2′33″W / 40.02444°N 75.04250°W / 40.02444; -75.04250
Area0.1 acres (0.040 ha)
Built1885
Architectural styleRomanesque
NRHP reference No.90000413[1]
Added to NRHPMarch 9, 1990

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

History and architectural features

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This three-story brick building was erected in 1885 by Frank W. Jordan, a local druggist and entrepreneur, as a multi-use facility, with retail shop space on the first floor, an auditorium on the second, and space for the Keystone Scientific and Literary Association (founded 1876, later called the Disston Library and Free Reading Room) on the third.[2]

P. T. Barnum and Susan B. Anthony lectured here.[2] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

In March 2017, the building owners and operators began the process of opening a sex positive community center. Membership is limited to those over 18 years of age who may pay a membership or event fee and may sign a membership form or liability waiver. The second and third floors are used by this organization which is called Philly Music Hall LLC. They rejected the label of "sex club". Nevertheless, a spokesperson recognizes that "occasionally there will be people who have sex."[3] Programming includes workshops, events, and community meetups to discuss and practice various forms of alternative sexuality. Participants are encouraged to practice active consent and safe sex, with failure to do so resulting in suspension or revocation of membership.[4][5]

The center permanently closed in August 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Iatarola, Louis M. "Tacony Music Hall". Historical Society of Tacony. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  3. ^ Rowan, Tommy (March 16, 2017). "Proposed 'sex-positive' venue in Tacony raises neighbors' confusion, skepticism". Philly.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  4. ^ "Philly Music Hall". Indiegogo. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  5. ^ "Philly Music Hall". phillymusichall.com. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
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