Save America’s Treasures, a program under the National Park Service, has just awarded the Howard Theatre Restoration Inc. $350,000, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Built in 1910, Shaw’s Howard Theatre is America’s first full-size theater made for African-American audiences. Exactly a century after its birth, the structure—-located at 7th and T streets NW—-is expected to undergo a major revitalization effort in 2010.The project will cost $25 million. Judging from this excellent, appropriately theatrical video posted on the restoration organization’s website, the venue is in truly decrepit shape right now. According to artistic renderings, the ground floor will be redeveloped as a dinner theater-type setting, with a balcony still above. For those that haven’t checked out the website, it’s pretty impressive—-lots of information and pictures of past performers.

Photo by Travir, Flickr Creative Commons