Mask and Wig Club of the University of Pennsylvania
Why it's listed
Built as a coach house and stable between 1843 and 1853, this two-story stuccoed brick building at 310 S. Quince Street in Philadelphia became the clubhouse of the Mask & Wig Club of the University of Pennsylvania. Architect Wilson Eyre remodeled it in 1894 in a Bavarian style, with oak-planked walls, a large hooded hearth, and a second-floor theater, and enlarged it in 1903 with a front addition. Painter Maxfield Parrish decorated the interior, producing caricatures of club members, an oil canvas of Old King Cole, and stage murals. The club was founded in 1889 and has staged original shows with script, music and choreography each year, making it one of the oldest all-male theatrical organizations in the country. Its big band-era scores by Clay Boland and its annual road tours add to its importance. The building is significant for its interior decoration and its ties to that theatrical tradition.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the club is one of America's oldest all-male theatrical organizations, producing original shows each year since its founding in 1889. The clubhouse interior was decorated in part by the young artist Maxfield Parrish, whose early works survive there, and the building reflects the club's long theatrical and musical history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79002323, listed November 20, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 310 S. Quince St., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | November 20, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002323 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Wilson Eyre (architect) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The form states the building has had little physical change since 1904 and that the club continues to use it for its annual productions. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Within district | Washington Square West Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.94597, -75.15975 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79002323.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q3297279
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.