Collection of San Francisco Bay Area Theater Images and Memorabilia

These materials were assembled and digitized as part of the California Local History Digital Resources Project, supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered in California by the State Librarian.

Performing Arts Library

Museum of Performance & Design

401 Van Ness Ave. Room 402

San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone: (415) 255-4800

Fax: (415) 255-1913

Email: info@mpdsf.org

URL: www.mpdsf.org

Descriptive Summary

Title: Collection of San Francisco Bay Area theater images and memorabilia

Dates: 1853-1970s

Collection number: Consult library

Collector: Museum of Performance & Design (San Francisco, Calif.)

Collection Size: 196 items Online items available

Repository: Museum of Performance & Design Performing Arts Library

San Francisco, CA 94102

Abstract: The Collection of San Francisco Bay Area Theater Images and Memorabilia includes photographs, program covers, seating charts, tickets and advertising cards related to theater buildings and performance spaces in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland from 1853 to the 1970s. The Collection contains many images and materials from theaters prior to 1923, images of theaters destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire, and many of the great performance spaces in Bay Area history including the Alcazar Theatre, Alexandria Theatre, California Theatre, Civic Auditorium, Columbia Theatre, Fischer's Theatre, Fox Theatre, Grand Opera House, Macdonough Theatre, Maguire's Opera House, Majestic Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Senator Theatre, Tivoli Opera House, and Woodward's Gardens.

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Collection is available to the public.

Publication Rights

Property rights reside with the Museum of Performance & Design. For permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Performing Arts Library, Museum of Performance & Design.

Preferred Citation

Collection of San Francisco Bay Area theater images and memorabilia. Museum of Performance & Design, Performing Arts Library. San Francisco, CA 94102.

Acquisition Information

The majority of the images come from the Museum's Theater Building Collection which was created over the years through various donations and purchases.

Administrative History

The mission of the Museum of Performance & Design is to educate people of all ages about the impact and value of the performing arts in their lives through exhibitions, programming, and research. In addition, the Museum collects, preserves, and makes accessible performance and design materials that reflect our diverse culture.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Collection of San Francisco Bay Area Theater Images and Memorabilia includes photographs, program covers, seating charts, tickets and advertising cards related to theater buildings and performance spaces in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland from 1853 to the 1970s. The Collection contains many images and materials from theaters prior to 1923, images of theaters destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire, and many of the great performance spaces in Bay Area history including the Alcazar Theatre, Alexandria Theatre, California Theatre, Civic Auditorium, Columbia Theatre, Fischer's Theatre, Fox Theatre, Grand Opera House, Macdonough Theatre, Maguire's Opera House, Majestic Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Senator Theatre, Tivoli Opera House, and Woodward's Gardens.

The materials were selected from the Museum's Theater Building Collection and other holdings by the staff of Performing Arts Library in 2010-2011 as part of the Local History Digital Resources Project, supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered in California by the State Librarian.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection.

Names and Places

Alcazar Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.)

Alexandria Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.)

California Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.)

Civic Auditorium (San Francisco, Calif.)

Columbia Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.)

Fischer's Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.)

Fox Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.)

Grand Opera House (San Francisco, Calif.)

Macdonough Theatre (Oakland, Calif.)

Maguire's Opera House (San Francisco, Calif.)

Majestic Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.)

Morosco's Grand Opera House (San Francisco, Calif.)

Orpheum Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.)

Senator Theatre (Oakland, Calif.)

Tivoli Opera House (San Francisco, Calif.)

Woodward's Gardens (San Francisco, Calif.)

Berkeley (Calif.)

San Francisco (Calif.)

Oakland (Calif.)

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