[1] The New Theater on Holliday Street was founded by two business partners in 1794 and was opened to the public on September 25, 1795.
The theater showcased a variety of acts, including comedy, dance, music ensembles, and opera.
[1] On October 19, 1814, lyrics from Francis Scott Key's poem "Defence of Fort McHenry" set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" were performed onstage at the theater; it was so enthusiastically received that the performance was repeated for several nights afterward.
As the song – now known as The Star-Spangled Banner – gained in popularity, it was accompanied by an illuminated scene of the siege on Fort McHenry.
The Holliday Street Theater was damaged by fire in 1873; Ford rebuilt it and eventually sold it back to those from whom he had bought it.