Hoyt Sherman Place completes $500,000 lawn project that includes a new outdoor stage, plaza

The next event you attend at Hoyt Sherman Place might just be held outdoors thanks to its recently completed outdoor stage, plaza and other additions as part of its $500,000 lawn enhancement project announced earlier this year.

The historic theater and mansion held a dedication ceremony for the project Tuesday evening, featuring live music and remarks from Hoyt Sherman Place CEO Robert Warren and others.

“It feels really good to complete visions that were unrealized,” Warren told the Des Moines Register. “Especially in honor of the women’s club that paid those commissions early on and then there were a couple of world wars in there, other things that halted this project over and over again.”

This project comes as the venue celebrates 100 years.

What is the lawn enhancement project at Hoyt Sherman Place?

Hoyt Sherman Place transformed its green space off Woodland Avenue into an outdoor stage and plaza with a new entrance along the sidewalk, previously just a steep drop off from grass to pavement, for future outdoor programming. It incorporates the designs based off of Charles Mumford Robinson’s 97-page landscaping plan for the mansion he created in 1910, when he was hired by the Des Moines Women’s Club, and Etta M. Bardwell’s landscaping plans from 1926, according to a news release from Hoyt Sherman Place. Bardwell was also hired by the Des Moines’ Women’s Club. The City of Des Moines and the state's historic preservation commission approved the addition of the plaza and stage, the Des Moines Register reported earlier this year.

More: Hoyt Sherman Place looks back at 100 years of entertainment, plans to celebrate big in 2023

What is new at Hoyt Sherman Place as part of the lawn enhancement project?

The large lawn in front of Hoyt Sherman Place was sloped to be more reminiscent of an amphitheater, providing natural seating for the circular plaza and outdoor stage at the base of the property. Located along the sidewalk on Woodland Avenue is a staircase to the plaza. New benches at the top of the hill provide additional seating while new flora includes 12 new shade trees. Come April, Hoyt Sherman Place will welcome the addition of six Osage orange trees. The trees were grafted from the gravesite of President Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, and are a connection to Hoyt Sherman and his older brother, General William Tecumseh Sherman, who both started their service in the Civil War in April 1861, Warren said at Tuesday’s event. Some of the trees will be planted near the original entrance closest to Hoyt Sherman Place’s parking lot entrance.

How can I enjoy the new changes to Hoyt Sherman Place?

Visit during Sherman Hill Association’s annual Halloween on the Hill on Oct. 31, which transforms the historic neighborhood into a spooky block party with decorations, performances and food. Expect to see events such as the free concert series Jazz in July held at the outdoor stage to National Night Out. Or see local artists perform as you arrive for a headlining act in the theater, Warren said.

Where is the new outdoor plaza and stage?

The outdoor plaza and stage is located at the southern edge of Hoyt Sherman Place along Woodland Avenue in Des Moines. Hoyt Sherman Place is located at 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hoyt Sherman Place completes outdoor stage, plaza in Des Moines