About The Russian Community Center of Seattle

With the arrival of a large number of Russian immigrants after World War II, an interest in community life was renewed. In 1952 a group of new and longtime immigrants formed a club and, one year later, acquired a temporary hall which served as the Russian Community Center for six years. In 1959 the club obtained the former Roycroft Theater on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. The interior was remodeled from a motion picture theater into a ballroom/auditorium with a theater stage. The Center opened to the public on October 29, 1960. Two Balalaika Orchestras were formed at the Russian Community Center as well as a theatrical group which staged countless productions, enhancing the cultural life of the community. In past years, the RCC has been home to a chess club, Russian art gallery, and puppet theater.