The John Morrisey collection consists of several original photographs of vaudeville performers, circus performers, athletes, theater managers, and actors from the silent film era. Morrisey was the General Manager of the San Francisco Orpheum, the first OrpheumTheatre in the Orpheum Circuit, from approximately the late 1890s to 1912. As a result of Morrisey's work with the Orpheum, the majority of the photographs are autographed to Morrisey and/or to his wife. The collection also includes copies of the publication "Variety", certificates, and other collected documents. The collection is arranged by format, with the majority of items accessioned at the item level.

John Morrisey was the General Manager of the San Francisco Orpheum from approximately the late 1890s to 1912. Opening as the Orpheum Opera House in 1886 by vaudeville impresario Gustav Walter, the success of this theatre combined with growth of the railway lines led to the opening of additional theaters in the United States, launching the Orpheum Circuit. Over the course of the next several years, the Circuit would be home to prominent vaudeville and stage performances. Several of the photographs in this collection came from various performers who performed in the San Francisco Orpheum or in other venues in the Orpheum Circuit.

6.75 Linear Feet (3 document cases, 3 print boxes, and 1 oversize box)

The majority of the materials in the Morrisey Collection are in the public domain. Museum of Performance + Design holds property rights and publication rights to all other materials.

The collection is open to all researchers with no restrictions.