Walnut Street Theatre

The Walnut Street Theatre, began as a circus in 1809, and is America's Oldest Theatre. It is also the Official State Theatre of Pennsylvania, and a National Historic Landmark. With more than 56,000 season ticket holders, the Walnut is also the most subscribed regional theatre company in the world. Once owned by the great classical actor Edwin Booth (John Wilkes' brother), Walnut's legacy is preserved in the lobby's excellent display of photos and memorabilia. It was the first theater in the nation to install gas footlights in 1837 and also the first to install air conditioning in 1855 with Mr. Barry's Patent Cool Air Machine.