The Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization, located in Elmhurst, Illinois on the second floor of Classic Cinemas historic York Theater.
Founded in 1969, THS is the only organization in the U.S. which exclusively documents, 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 utilized in its publications and available to researchers.
The organization is administered by Executive Director Richard J. Sklenar and Archive Director Kathy McLeister, on behalf of a volunteer board of directors and officers. A corps of dedicated volunteers assists with many of the day-to-day activities at the Society's headquarters.
The Theatre Historical Society is an organizational member of the American Association for State and Local History, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Illinois Association of Museums, Association of Midwest Museums, Kane/DuPage Regional Museum Association, and is an individual member of the Society of American Archivists.
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The Theatre Historical Society was founded in 1969 by writer and theatre historian Ben M. Hall, author of the first book celebrating America's movie palaces, The Best Remaining Seats. After Hall's untimely death in 1970, Brother Andrew Corsini Fowler, Frank Cronican, Terry Helgesen and others were instrumental in shaping THS into 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's publications, distributed to members and available as back-issues, are: Marquee, a quarterly illustrated journal [ISSN 0025-3928], published continuously since 1969; an Annual, a special illustrated publication [ISSN 0885-3940] focussing on a specific theatre or aspect of theatre history, architecture, or design, and a quarterly Newsletter, with news items of interest on members, theatres and events nationwide. Back issues of Marquee and the Annual may be purchased by mail or online on the THS website www.historictheatres.org.
The Theatre Historical Society operates the following at its headquarters:
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 archive is also a rich source of information on theatre architects such as John Eberson, Thomas W. Lamb, the Boller Brothers, Rapp and Rapp, and theatre chains like Keith-Albee-Orpheum, Warner Bros., Loews Theatres, Paramount Pictures, etc.
The American Movie Palace Museum, features exhibits of photographs, artworks, artifacts, and other memorabilia relating primarily to the "golden age of the movie palace." Notable items include the large (3ft.x4ft.) original rendering of the famed Roxy Theatre (New York City), designed by architect Walter W. Ahlschlager, and decorated by the Rambusch Decorating Company. There is also a large scale model of Chicago's Avalon Theater, later known as the New Regal Theater, as well as the conductor's podium from Chicago's Granada Theater (demolished).
The 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.
THS produces an annual Conclave, or theatre tour, each summer in a different part of the country. It is usually five days and includes visits to two dozen historic theatres in the area, from small neighborhood movie houses to large, ornate urban movie palaces, along with various social activities. More information is available on the THS website www.historictheatres.org.
Membership is open to anyone interested in historic theatres. Regular U.S. membership starts at $55 per year. There is a reduced rate of $30 for full-time U.S. students. Members receive all publications and a discount on registration for our annual Conclave. Complete information, including rates for other countries, is on the THS website www.historictheatres.org. One can also join online.
Ben M. Hall circulated the following letter founding the Theatre Historical Society of America:
February 10, 1969
Dear Friend,
Does this letterhead appeal to you? Well, let me tell you more!
For a long time some of us have talked about forming a club that would foster our interest in the fast-vanishing motion picture theatre and all the wonderful things that used to happen in it. I am delighted to be able to report that someone is finally doing something about it. My longtime friend, Brother Andrew Corsini Fowler, has decided that it is time for action and he, together with a bunch of hard-core theatre buffs from all parts of the country, have had our heads together (perhaps it would be more honest to say that Andy has knocked them together) and come up with an idea.
We are forming the Theatre Historical Society. The name is purposely all-purpose; though we all love movie palaces best, deep down we share an appreciation for any place where people are entertained in rows of seats - from nickelodeons to the newest Kultur Komplexes - in other words, all kinds of theatres and auditoriums. But in case you have misgivings, our main concern will be those picture pagodas of fragrant memory with the jeweled curtains the fountained goldfish, the rising orchestras (and falling organists), the tinkling tap shoes, the gold-braided ushers, the rose-budded cashiers, the yapping wonder dogs, the chirping Sunkist Beauties, the Antarctic air conditioning (and the frost-bitten marquees),the clouds in the ceiling, and the silvery Magnascope screens where "The End" used to ripple on the peanut curtain as it closed in for the organlogue. Remember...?
The Theatre Historical Society will have a magazine called Marquee (that's the logo Lester Glassner has designed for us at the top of this page) which will be published six times a year ... on a modest scale at first., more lavishly and more frequently as we get rolling. It will be filled with pictures and articles on every phase of movie palace lore -- portfolios of tantalizing newspaper ads, articles on everything from how to build your own model movie palace, how a Publix seat indicator works, how to operate the Brenkert F-7 Master Brenograph, to what to do in case of a stink bomb attack; picture stories on leading theatre architects (maybe special issues devoted to the work of one man); reports on everything from the animal rooms on the Keith Circuit to the hospital facilities in the super-palaces. The possibilities are endless.
The editor of MARQUEE will be Brother Andrew, and there is no one in the country more dedicated or more knowledgeable when it comes to our favorite subject. Frank Cronican has volunteered to be treasurer of the Society; Frank is one of the nation's most skillful model builders and is presently re-creating Chicago's Avalon Theatre in his basement (besides, he has an honest face). A board of directors will be elected later; meanwhile we need lots of help from people like you. For my part, I will sit on a side aisle and give lots of free advice to everybody, and contribute a regular column called "Around The Circuit" as well as an article from time to time. Your contributions, in the form of stories, photographs, "memorabilia" and suggestions will always be welcome.
For those of us who are members of A.T.O.E., membership in T.H.S. should entail no conflict of interest -- simply an extension of a special enthusiasm. MARQUEE plans to limit its concern with theatre organs to their consoles, grilles, players and presentation -- all externals in a manner of speaking - and at the same time hopes THEATRE ORGAN BOMBARDE will continue with its wonderful "Acre of Seats in a Palace of Splendor" feature. And subscribers to the CONSOLE need have no fear of cross-purposes in the pages of MARQUEE; there is enough material on theatres to keep everybody fascinated for years to come.
I would like to invite you to join with us in this interesting and worthwhile venture by becoming a Founding Member of The Theatre Historical Society. In return, we need three things from you: (1) A check for $10.00. (2) A list of names and addresses of people you think would like to join the Society as regular members (dues are $5.00 which includes the first six issues of MARQUEE). (3) Your comments, ideas and suggestions on how the Society and MARQUEE can best serve us all in our mutual and rather unique interest. This last request is very important as it gives you a chance to help guide the club in its formative period.
I hope you will join in the fun. Send your check for $10.00 made out to The Theatre Historical Society, your prospective-member list, and your comments to me at [old address]. Please do it this week. We want to get the first issue of MARQUEE out as soon as possible, and we need your support before that can happen.
With best remaining wishes,
Ben M. Hall