History & Resources

Painting of the National Theatre, 1835.

The National Theatre has a long, rich history in the nation’s capital. Located in the heart of downtown DC since 1835, The National is the oldest continuously operating organization on Pennsylvania Avenue and the second oldest theatre in the nation! We invite you to explore the resources below to hear stories from our past.

Progra from mid-1800s for The National Theatre.

The Archive

The National houses a collection of materials dating back to 1835 that reflect the role we have played in American theatre and in the nation’s capital. Take a peek at some of the items we have in our Photo Gallery and learn more about The National Theatre Archive.