In January 1975, it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior for its distinctive Venetian Gothic architecture.

The building was designed with a dual purpose – to house musical activities in its central auditorium and industrial exhibitions in its side wings.

It is located at 1241 Elm Street, across from the historic Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine, minutes from the center of the downtown area.

Music Hall was built over a pauper's cemetery, which has helped fuel its reputation as one of the most haunted places in America.

[5] Music Hall Ballroom accommodates up to 1,300 people, and is the second largest meeting space in the city, encompassing nearly 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2).

It is frequently used for large receptions, exhibitions, fashion shows, class reunions and breakfast, lunch and dinner gatherings.

In 1972 the space was renovated and renamed for the longtime Music Hall patrons, J. Ralph and Patricia Corbett.

[8] Corbett Tower serves as the setting for a wide variety of events, ranging from weddings and receptions to grand dinners and parties.

It has seating for up to 200 and includes a stage, controlled sound and light systems, dance floor, kitchen, and bar facilities.

It serves as a rehearsal room or event space for weddings, receptions, fundraisers, meetings, or other gatherings, seating up to 200 people.

From the North Concourse on the Balcony Level, enter through the door at the top of the stairs which leads to the Studio Lobby.

Cincinnati Music Hall was designed by architect Samuel Hannaford and is considered one of the last and best examples of the Victorian Gothic Revival Style.

"[13] Thus, Ohio's first insane asylum was erected in Cincinnati on 4 acres (16,000 m2) of land bounded by the Miami and Erie Canal.

[17] At the same time, German musicians had plans to erect "a great temporary building opposite Washington Park" for the North American Saengerbund, which Cincinnati was to host during the summer of 1870.

[18] Additionally, there were three other temporary buildings attached to it for a total floor space of 108,748 sq ft (10,103.0 m2)—more than that of the 1853 World's Fair in New York City.

[19] In the audience during that performance was Reuben R. Springer (1800–1884),[20] a wealthy Cincinnatian of German ancestry, who afterwards decided Cincinnati needed a more permanent structure.

This additional sum of money would be used for the construction of buildings around the hall for the purpose of holding industrial expositions.

The project was divided into multiple phases, first focusing on the construction of the center building, Music Hall.

[24] Following several issues regarding weather and resources, the project was fast tracked in hopes of completing work on Music Hall prior to the 1878 May Festival Chorus performance.

[27] The building has also hosted numerous other presidents such as William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Benjamin Harrison, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

[29] Musical acts that have performed at Cincinnati Music Hall include: French organist Alexandre Guilmant in 1898, Frank Sinatra in 1941 and 1993, The Ink Spots (from Indianapolis) in 1943, Ella Fitzgerald in 1956 and 1974, Johnny Cash in 1957 and 1981, Ray Charles in 1961 and 1962, Fats Domino in 1964 and 1966, the Velvet Underground in 1966, Sonny Bono (& Cher) in 1967, Big Brother & the Holding Company (with Janis Joplin) in 1968, Grateful Dead in 1972, Pink Floyd in 1972, Miles Davis in 1974 and 1987, Bruce Springsteen in 1996, and The White Stripes in 2005.

Erich Kunzel, late conductor for the Cincinnati Pops, once stated, "Sometimes when I was arranging, getting things together, I've worked here all night long.

[2] Music Hall was selected as one of The Travel Channel's Most Terrifying Places in America and for the SYFY TV show Ghost Hunters.