Grovers Theater

[L Verge]

I don't remember ever seeing a photo or illustration of the interior during the Civil War, but here is a description that I found online of its appearance in the early years:

On September 17, 1834, a gathering of patriotic citizens led by William Wilson Corcoran decided that our fledgling city deserved a magnificent theater worthy of the nation’s capital. They selected a site close to the White House, the social center of the federal government, and sold shares of stock to raise construction funds. The National Theatre opened its doors for the first time on December 7, 1835, with a production of A Man of the World, dazzling the opening night audience with its elegant interior. Cerulean Blue walls shimmered in candlelight below a domed ceiling filled with allegorical scenes; box tiers were decorated with depictions of historical events in diplomacy, maritime power, and agriculture. A portrayal of the Declaration of Independence supported by the Wings of Time surmounted the proscenium arch, and the theatre curtain was painted with an equestrian statue of George Washington with Mount Vernon in the distance.

I don't believe that Grover took over the management of the theater until the Civil War period, so this description may not be relevant to that era. When I was young, a trip to the National Theatre (its current name) was a treat. However, we never wanted to sit in the second balcony. It was on such a steep incline that walking down the stairs to your seat was a chore. I actually saw the mother of a friend sit down on the steps and descend that way because she was afraid of falling forward otherwise. Once you were in your seat, you could rest your head on the knees of the person behind you.