Through programs that include the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, regional theatre tours, cooperative museum exhibits, publications, lectures, awards and research fellowships, THS seeks to promote appreciation, scholarly study and use of these historically significant buildings.
Previously located in Elmhurst, Illinois,[1] the collection is now situated in Pittsburgh, Pensilvania, home of the first nickelodeon, the Warner brothers, David Selznick, and other notables of movie history.
In addition, they contain historical artifacts and resources documenting the social and cultural heritage of movie theatres and performing arts venues in America.
Composed of photographs, negatives, slides, postcards, artists’ renderings, scrapbooks, books, periodicals, business records, blueprints and architectural drawings, supplier and trade catalogs, architectural artifacts, theatre furnishings, ushers’ uniforms, and numerous other items our collections relating to theatre buildings and their cultural and social history.
Both publications are made up of in-depth articles on topics related to theatre buildings and their social and cultural legacy.