Theatre Historical Society of America
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section needs to be wikified to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please help improve this article with relevant internal links. (April 2008) |
The Theatre Historical Society of America is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization, located in Elmhurst, Illinois in the historic York Theatre building.
THSA is the only organization in the U.S. which exclusively records, preserves and celebrates the rich architectural, cultural and social history of America's theatres. Its archive contains material on more than 15,000 theatres, primarily in the United States. This unique resource is made available through its publications and research in its archive.
THSA's publications, distributed as a benefit of membership, are: Marquee, a quarterly illustrated journal [ISSN 0025-3928], published continuously since 1969; an Annual, a special illustrated publication focussing on a specific theatre or aspect of theatre history, architecture, or design [ISSN 0885-3940], and a quarterly Newsletter, with news items of interest on members, theatres and events nationwide. Back issues of the first two are available for sale to members and the general public on the THSA website, www.historictheatres.org, and by mail.
THSA's archive and museum are open to members and the public. Admission to the museum is free, but research in the Archive is by advance appointment only and research fees apply.
The American Theatre Architecture Archive, contains an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, negatives, slides, books, blueprints/architectural drawings, newspaper and magazine clippings, videos, printed programs, and other material on all types of historic theatres, primarily in the U.S.
The American Movie Palace Museum, features exhibits of photographs, artworks, artifacts, and other memorabilia relating primarily to the "golden age of the movie palace."
THSA also conducts an annual Conclave, or theatre tour, each summer in a different part of the country. It typically lasts 5 days and includes visits to two dozen historic theatres in the area, from small neighborhood movie houses to large and ornate urban movie palaces, as well as other social activities. More information is available on the THSA website.
The Theatre Historical Society was founded in 1969 by the late writer and theatre historian Ben M. Hall, author of the first book on American movie palaces, The Best Remaining Seats. After Hall's death in 1970, Brother Andrew Corsini Fowler, Frank Cronican, Terry Helgesen and others were instrumental in helping THSA to become the foremost organization of its kind in the U.S. From just a handful of interested enthusiasts, it has grown into a national organization with an international membership of 1,000 individuals, university and public libraries, theatres, performing arts organizations and other interested firms and groups.
The Society is administered by Executive Director, Richard J. Sklenar, on behalf of a volunteer board of directors, consisting of elected officers and regional directors. A corps of dedicated volunteers assists with many of the day-to-day activities at the Society's headquarters.
