Sarah Moore Field Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 031

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Sarah Moore Field Collection includes over 200 programs and playbills from theatres within the New England region of the United States, with the bulk of the materials from Boston. The materials range in date from 1881 to 1963 with the bulk of the collection containing items from 1900 to 1928. Depending on the era, the playbills are formatted either as single sheets or posters (primarily the pre-1900s and World War II era programs) or booklets featuring advertisements, play descriptions, and cast biographies (primarily the 20s and 30s and post 1950 materials).

Dates

1881 - 1963

Creator

Field, Sarah Moore, 1885-1988 (Person)

Language of Materials

Records in English.

Conditions Governing Use

Some materials may be subject to copyright. No part of the materials protected by copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the copyright holder. Researchers are required to seek permission from the copyright holder to reproduce and/or publish materials under copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Sarah Moore Field lived all of her long life in the gracious home at 266 Main Street in North Andover, Massachusetts. Purchased by her great-grandparents, Jeremiah Smith and Sarah Field in 1874 the Field household reflected a restrained, upper middle class taste. Sarah Moore Field became the family historian and carefully preserved the furnishings, photographs, financial records, letters, memorabilia, and personal property accumulated by three generations of her family in hope that one day the Field House would be opened to the public. Though her dream never came to fruition, selected items from her collection, such as these theatre programs, will continue to be accessible to the public.

Theater programs and playbills have evolved significantly over the course of the 19th and 20th century. Appearing first as a single sheet, usually consisting of the actors' names and scenes in the play, by the early 1900s playbills had evolved into booklets which often included advertisements and actors' biographies. Playbills briefly reverted back to the single sheet format during World War II. Starting in the early 1900s, souvenir program books were also printed to commemorate a specific play during its run, and were not tied to specific performances or theaters. These programs were larger than playbills and usually include photos of the actors, biographies, and a summary of the plot.

Extent

1.5 linear feet; 2 boxes

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series: Boston Programs and Other Programs. Boston Programs are arranged alphabetically by theater. Other Programs are arranged by location, then chronologically.

Series 1: Boston Programs

Folder Name Dates

B. F. Keith's Theatre 1905 – 1914

Boston Opera House 1912 – 1914

Boston Symphony Orchestra 1914 – 1961

Boston Theatre 1905 – 1913

Castle Square Theatre 1904 – 1926

Charles Playhouse 1960 – 1961

Colonial Theatre 1901 – 1961

Copley Theatre 1917 -1928

Edith Coburn Noyes Studios Approximately 1912

Hollis Street Theatre 1905 – 1926

Image Theatre 1961 – 1962

Majestic Theatre 1905 – 1961

Miscellaneous Performances and Events 1911 – 1962

New Park Theatre 1924 – 1925

Park Square Theatre Approximately 1917

Park Theatre 1902 – 1914

Plymouth Theatre/Shubert-Plymouth Theatre 1912 – 1926

Repertory Theatre of Boston 1925

Shubert Theatre 1911 – 1960

Tremont Temple 1912 – 1913

Tremont Theatre 1904 – 1923

Wilbur Theatre Approximately 1913 - 1961

Series 2: Other Programs

Folder Title Dates

Miscellaneous Programs 1881 – 1919

New York Programs 1905 - 1963

Physical Location

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was received through gift from the estate of Sarah Moore Field in 1998.

Existence and Location of Copies

This collection has been digitized. All programs can be found at the Sarah Moore Field Collection on JSTOR

General

Appendix: Guide to Boston Theater Names and Locations

B.F. Keith's Theatre (1894 - 1928)

547 Washington Street.

Renamed Apollo Theatre (1929), Lyric Theatre (1930-1935), Normandie Ballroom (1935-1938) Normandie Theatre (1938-ca1944) Laff Movie Theatre (ca1944) New Normandie Theatre (ca1945-ca1949) Art-Movie (ca1949) Mirth Movie Theatre (ca1950). Demolished 1951.

Boston Opera House (1909 - 1957)

343 Huntington Ave

Boston Theatre (1854 - 1925)

539 Washington Street.

The second location of the Boston Theatre. Located at Federal and Franklin Streets from 1794-1852. Demolished in 1925.

Castle Square Theatre (1894 - 1919)

421 Tremont Street.

Renamed Arlington Square Theatre (1919-1932). Demolished 1932.

Charles Playhouse (1957 - )

54 Charles Street (1957). Moved to Warrenton Street (1958).

The Colonial Theatre (1900)

106 Boylston Street

The Copley Theater (1922 - 1957)

461 Stuart Street

2nd location of the Copley Theatre. Located at 188 Dartmouth Street from 1916-1922. Renamed Capri Movie House in 1957, later demolished.

Hollis Street Theatre (1885 - 1935)

14 Hollis Street.

Demolished 1935.

Majestic Theatre (1903 - ca. 1957)

219 Tremont Street.

Renamed the Saxon Theatre (ca 1957-ca 1983); the Cutler Majestic Theatre (ca 1983)

New Park Theatre (ca. 1924)

Washington Street at the corner of Boylston Street. Most likely the same location as the Park Theatre, 619-621 Washington Street.

Park Theatre (1879 - 1933)

619-621 Washington Street. Possibly referred to as the New Park Theatre (ca1924). Renamed Minsky's Park Burlesque (1933).

Plymouth Theatre (1911 - 1958)

131 Stuart Street

Renamed Gary Movie Theatre (1958). Demolished in 1978.

Repertory Theatre of Boston ca. 1925-ca1935

264 Huntington Avenue. Renamed the Esquire Theatre (ca1930s); Civic Repertory Theatre (ca1940s-1953); Boston University Theatre (1953).

Saxon Theatre (1957 -ca 1983)

219 Tremont Street.

Formerly Majestic Theatre (1903-1957).Cutler Majestic Theatre (ca 1983)

Selwyn Theatre (1921 - 1926)

Park Square.

Formerly The Cort Theatre (1914), The Park Square Theatre (1915). Demolished in 1926.

Shubert Theatre, (Sam S.) (1910- )

265 Tremont Street.

Billed as the Sam S. Shubert Theatre on programs ranging from 1910-1935.

Tremont Temple (1843 - )

88 Tremont Street.

Formerly the first Tremont Theatre (1827). Rebuilt after fires: 1853, 1880, 1896.

Tremont Theatre (1889 - 1947)

176 Tremont Street.

The Third Boston Theatre named Tremont Theatre. Renamed Astor Theatre (Movie Theatre) (1947)

Wilber Theatre (1914 - )

250-252 Tremont Street