The Worcester Memorial Auditorium is a magnificent performance venue that towers above the city’s Lincoln Square. The five-story structure was erected in 1933 to honor the sacrifices of local residents during the Great War.
It includes a 31,000 square foot auditorium with a 107-rank Kimball pipe organ; the adjacent “Little Theater,” as well as the Shrine of the Immortal, a memorial hall commemorating the city’s WWI dead.
Throughout the twentieth century, the Auditorium was the center of Worcester’s civic and cultural life. Concerts, college basketball games, graduations, dance recitals and charity events all took place in the building.
Now vacant, the Auditorium has fallen into disrepair. The time has come to restore it.
The Architectural Heritage Foundation (AHF) is spearheading the building’s redevelopment. We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing communities through historic preservation. Through public-private cooperation, we will preserve and redevelop the Auditorium as a vibrant cultural, technological, and educational center that will anchor the resurgence of Lincoln Square.
Worcester Mayor Pehr G. Holmes,
January 9, 1917
Strategically located at the crossroads of six major thoroughfares and just minutes from key highway interchanges, the Auditorium is perfectly positioned to drive economic, educational, and cultural growth. With its proximity to landmarks like the Worcester Art Museum, Salisbury Mansion, and WPI, and within walking distance of downtown, the Auditorium sits at the vibrant core of the city.
November 11, 1918. After four harrowing years, World War I had finally come to a close. Among the 8.5 million military lives lost, 355 were sons and daughters of Worcester. As the city began to heal, its leaders sought a meaningful tribute—one that would honor not only those who had fallen, but all who had served. What followed was a fifteen-year endeavor to build Worcester’s first public auditorium: a place of remembrance, resilience, and civic pride.
From its earliest days, the Auditorium stood at the heart of community life. The four-story structure was more than just a building, it was a shared space for governance, culture, and celebration. Each room played a unique role, reflecting the diverse spirit and needs of Worcester’s people.
