Description – In a building at the north end of the campground section of the Midwest Old Threshers complex in Mount (Mt.) Pleasant, Iowa, is located the Museum of Repertoire Americana(Theatre Museum). Visitors will find a unique collection of memorabilia from various venues of American popular entertainment—opera houses, tent theaters, showboats, minstrels, and Chautauqua. Included in this collection are scenery, costumes, photographs, posters, handbills, musical instruments, scripts, playbills, music, letters, and programs.
During the 1910s and 1920s over 400 repertoire companies toured in big cities and small towns all over the United States; this museum has information on a number of these companies and the repertoire performers. Much of that information has been entered into a data-base program for all types of researchers to peruse.
Summer theatre performances similar to those presented in the 1920s usually occur two weekends in July.
Admission – $3.00 for adults and youth over 15 ; free for children under 15 (if combining this tour with a tour of the Heritage Museum at Midwest Old Threshers, the cost is $5.00) (museum admission is free when one has paid the gate admission fee during the Reunion days)
Directions – west of the junction of U. S. Highways 218 and 34, south on Walnut Street, turn west on Threshers Road, turn south at first gate past cemetery
Hours – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, (day after Labor Day weekend – day before Memorial Day weekend); 10:00 a.m. – noon, 12:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m., Tuesday – Sunday, Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day Weekend; open other times by appointment
Credit Cards – American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover (only when purchasing summer theatre tickets prior to the day of performance)
Phone – (319) 385-9432 (Theatre Museum) or (319) 385-8937 (Midwest Old Threshers)
I was married onstage after Dollie of the Follies on the Sun Players in Newton Iowa in 1964 to Laurence P. Willey. We were leading lady and man.
In 1993 my second husband and I formed Richardson/Drosselle Productions and worked with the Missouri and Iowa film commissions to produce a film based on Toby. We worked with Jimmy and Grace Davis. The film never happened and we divorced shortly afterward. I still have the script and would like to hear from anyone interested in reviving this project.
(no relation to Ann !)
In May 1883 a “scenic artist, George Burt” produced the following for our new G. A. R. Hall in Cawker City, Kansas:
The new scenery on the stage of the
Grand Army Hall, painted by George Burt,
adds to the effectiveness of the acting and
gives an idea of reality to the representat-
ions which it would not otherwise have.
When finished, the stage will be supplied
with six scenes, eight side wings, a hand-
some drop curtain and proscenium.
I have found a George Burt who was the stage manager for the opera house in Atchison, but do not know if he is the same person or related (or not). If anyone has any information about Mr. Burt, you may email me at cawkercitymuseum@yahoo.com
In 1906, the hall was doubled in size and the old scenes were described:
May 31, 1906
Cawker City Ledger
- We wish the opera house manage-
ment would dress up the play house a
little. We are getting awfully tired
looking through the holes in that old
drop curtain and we don’t believe
Venice looks a bit like that picture
anyway; then that battle scene with
the soldiers at a distance larger than
those nearer, and that fellow behind
the tree, he ought to be moved. And
then that other curtain with the
advertisements on, take it down and
put up white cloth if you can’t do
better. These curtains were all right
once, but this age calls for a change,
then too a little paint on the ceiling
would not spoil it if the paint was
right, neither would the theater goers
get angry if some of those old
wounded and crippled chairs were
gently removed and up-to-date opera
chairs put in their places. There are
several things that might be done and
are much needed about this splendid
opera house, and a good system of
lighting is one of them.
These were in fact replaced by the Cox company:
November 14, 1907
Cawker City Ledger
- Manager Higley has ordered a new
drop curtain for the opera house
stage. The Cox Scenic Co. will do
the work. The curtain will be 14×22
feet. There will be a two foot fancy
border at top and bottom, three feet
of drapery on the sides, and twelve
business cards surrounding a scene
6×10 in the center. At different times
we have told of the improvements he
is making and you will be surprised
when he finishes.
Having visited the Theater Museum, I understand that the artistry of the Cox Company is highly regarded today. Too bad our hall burned down in 1924 !