Knickerbocker Theater Disaster

A hundred years ago, a popular theater in Adams Morgan collapsed, killing 98 people. What has come of this historic site and how is it remembered today?
On January 29th, 2022, the Humanities Truck collaborated with community photographer and local activist Nancy Shia to display an exhibit about the Knickerbocker Theater Disaster at its 100th Anniversary memorial. Below are photos from the exhibit, alongside a brief history of the event.

Before the Disaster

The Knickerbocker Theatre, pictured above, opened on October 13, 1917 in today’s Adams Morgan neighborhood. Audiences of up to 1,700 patronized the theater for silent movies and live performances. The Knickerbocker was both a family-friendly and elegant place for people to enjoy entertainment in DC. Reginald Geare, a well-known theater architect of the 1920s, designed the building. He was blamed alongside others for its structural failures, though never proven guilty.

The view of the theater from the center of the balcony shows the ornate decorations on the walls, ceilings, and the box seats on the side.

Orchestra conductor, Ernestor Natiello, was killed when the beams from the rooftop fell on him. His brother was second violinist and was injured when his arm was severed.

Tragedy on 18th Street

In hopes of watching the latest silent movie, people went to the theater during a large snow storm on January 28th, 1922. During the movie, the theater’s roof collapsed due to the weight of the snow and building shortcomings, trapping hundreds and ultimately killing 98 people. This continues to be one of the deadliest accidents in DC’s history.

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An aerial view of the 1700 block of Columbia Road with all the vehicles and street cars of the time.

People stand in the snow along the sidewalk on Columbia Street looking over to the destroyed Knickerbocker Theater.

Carrying a coffin into the Christian Science Church.

Emergency vehicles outside of the Knickerbocker Theater.

A view of the 1700 block of Columbia Road with all the vehicles and streetcars of the time.

Carrying a coffin out of the church to a waiting hearse.

"It's part of our city's history"

Read below to see how newspapers then and now describe the event. A wide cross-section of DC’s population patronized the theater, and, until recently, neighborhood residents used the former Knickerbocker site as a place for community gatherings.

Longtime resident Nancy Shia and Thomas Barnes, whose great grandparents perished in the disaster; both agree: The Knickerbocker site is holy sacred ground and should be respected and maintained with that thought in mind. Condo developers have since fenced off the plaza as a site for future construction, seeming to block any possibility of a permanent memorial. Is the Knickerbocker disaster doomed to become only a distant memory?