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State Theatre Collection

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-3389

Scope and Contents

The State Theatre, designed by John Eberson, is an example of an atmospheric theatre. Completed in 1927, it replicated a Mediterranean/Spanish courtyard with statues, coves and a moving sky with clouds and stars. It had motion pictures, vaudeville acts and theatrical performances. It was built by the W.S. Butterfield Company and located on the west side of South Burdick between Cedar and W. Lovell Streets. It remained a theatre for motion pictures until the mid-1980s and in 2010 is a site for occasional concerts.

Dates

  • created: 1942-1982

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions

Extent

0.05 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection is composed of programs from the State Theatre located in Kalamazoo and date from 1942 to 1982.

Source of Acquisition

These items came to the Archives from the Parchment Community Library, from the Dean Arend Collection (A-1191) and from the WMU Department of Theater Collection.

Physical Description

The programs range from 7”x10” to 5 ½”x9” to 7”x4 ½”. There are some small tickets that are 3 ½”x2”. The programs are on a variety of paper stock in various colors with black print. Several of them have an illustration of the building on the cover and include advertisements from various businesses. The programs are in good condition with only one showing a little wear at the top. Some of the programs are slightly yellowed.

Title
State Theatre Collection finding aid
Status
Completed
Author
Lynn Houghton
Date
2014-05-03
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490