A ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE IN BEREA KENTUCKY

CONSTRUCTING THE SEATING AREA AT INDIAN FORT 
AMPHITHEATRE DESIGN 
1954 VINTAGE PHOTO 
Courtesy: Berea College Special Collections

From what I’ve read, outdoor theaters are popular with folks. The idea of being in an outdoor atmosphere, watching a play or  band can be relaxing or exciting depending on your preference.  As  far as construction of these outdoor theaters -- they come in all different configurations and materials.

ANCIENT ROMAN ORANGE AMPHITHEATRE, PARIS, FRANCE
CONSTUCTION: ARC AND ASCENDING SEATING
Courtesy: Simply Groups

I am familiar with a particular theater that is configured as an amphitheatre. It was built to celebrate the 1955 centennial of Kentucky’s Berea College. The seating ascends downward toward the stage -- the audience sits in a curving arc facing the stage -- both are traditional building practices of the ancient Roman amphitheatres.

PARTIAL VIEW OF THE CURVING ARC OF THE SEATING AREA
FOLDING CHAIRS WERE SET-UP ALONG THE TOPS OF THE LIMESTONE ROWS.
SEE PHOTO SECOND FROM BOTTOM

The theatre I am speaking of is called Indian Fort. Its entire arc of seating is stacked limestone. This construction is very graphic visually. Similarly, ancient Roman amphitheatres used limestone frequently.

I thought I could find another U.S. amphitheatre made of limestone online but had no such luck. Natural limestone is found abundantly in Kentucky. Historically it became customary to use it for construction of both simple and formal buildings and decoration. It probably presented itself as the natural stone of choice for the centennial construction.  

VIEW OF THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE STACKED STONE ROWS 

The labor to build Indian Fort would have been skilled. Stacking rock requires knowledgeable masons. The entire project cost $100.000. This included a wooden entrance structure that held the ticket office, rest rooms and associated needs

THE CHAIRS ALL IN PLACE ON THE LIMESTONE-STACKED ROWS 
WAITING FOR THE CROWD.
VINTAGE PHOTO
Coutesy Berea College Special Collections

During the 1950s through the 1970s a commonly held play at the Indian Fort was Wilderness Road by Paul  Green. Other activities such as Berea College graduations were once held at the amphitheatre.  

CROWDS RELAXING IN THE FRESH AIR WHILE 
WATCHING A PLAY AT INDIAN FORT.
VINTAGE PHOTO
Courtesy Berea College Special College

During the past few years the Indian Fort location has been the venue for the  popular Berea Craft Festival which draws crowds from several different states.

The attendees probably are unaware they are getting a taste of ancient Roman architecture as they gaze at crafts from Kentucky and beyond. 

SOURCES

National Park Service, Lexington Kentucky

Jamie M Bradley, College Archivist, Hutchins Library,  Berea College, Kentucky ,

Photos courtesy of Berea College Special Collections Hutchins Library

Berea College, Berea Kentucky