Historical Sketch

The Eastman School of Music, and its adjoining facility Eastman Theatre, began operations in 1921 after their construction under the patronage of George Eastman. The Theatre was intended for the development of music appreciation among Rochesterians, initially through musical accompaniment to silent films. In the first decade of its existence, the Theatre featured motion-picture screenings, orchestral performances (including the first performances of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra), performances of the Metropolitan Opera and the Rochester American Opera companies, dance performances, and numerous solo recitals of famous singers from around the world, to name a few examples. Kilbourn Hall — named by George Eastman after his mother — is a smaller hall that was also used in this early period for various public performances, including performances of groups associated with the Eastman School of Music (e.g. performances of the Eastman School of Dance and Dramatic Action).

 

Provenance

These scrapbooks were gathered in chronological order by year by the Eastman Theatre management. It is unknown when the materials were transferred to the Sibley Music Library.

 

Scope and Content

The scrapbooks range from 1920 to 1928 and are filled with press clippings of motion picture screenings and live performances at the Eastman Theatre. The clippings comprise film and concert announcements, and articles on films, film stars, live performances and associated performers. The first three scrapbooks (Series 1) contain clippings on the building of the Eastman Theatre and School, on George Eastman as patron, and on the first performances in the Theatre. Two scrapbooks in this series also contain clippings on George Eastman’s hunting trip to Africa (see Inventory). Four smaller scrapbooks (Series 2) contain Eastman Theatre film and concert announcements only (no articles). Two scrapbooks (Series 3) contain clippings on film screenings at two other Rochester theaters: the Piccadilly and the Regent.

These scrapbooks will be of interest in relation to the following topics (non- comprehensive): the building of Eastman Theatre and Eastman School of Music, history of the Eastman Theatre, George Eastman as patron, entertainment in Rochester in the 1920s, film history/ film screenings in Rochester, music performances in Rochester in the 1920s, first performances of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Metropolitan Grand Opera performances in Rochester, Rochester American Opera Company performances, Eastman School of Dance and Dramatic Action performances (involving Martha Graham).

 

Restrictions and Use

There are no restrictions on the use of these Scrapbooks.

 

Associations

The following collections, papers, and publications may be of interest in relation to the Eastman Theatre Scrapbooks: Eastman School of Music Office of Institutional Advancement Scrapbooks, Rochester Civic Music Association (CMA) Scrapbooks, Rochester Scrapbooks, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra programs, Eastman Theatre programs, Kilbourn Hall programs (which include some Eastman Theatre programs), the Civic Music News.

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DESCRIPTION OF SERIES

 

Series 1:

The scrapbooks range from 1920 to 1928 and are filled with press clippings of motion picture screenings and live performances at the Eastman Theatre. The clippings comprise film and concert announcements, and articles on films, film stars, live performances and associated performers. The first three scrapbooks contain clippings on the building of the Eastman Theatre and School, on George Eastman as patron, and on the first performances in the Theatre. Two scrapbooks in this series also contain clippings on George Eastman’s hunting trip to Africa (see Inventory).

 

Series 2:

Four small scrapbooks ranging from 1922 to 1928 that contain Eastman Theatre film and concert announcements only (no articles).

 

Series 3:

Two scrapbooks that contain clippings on film screenings at the Piccadilly and the Regent movie theaters only from 1925, and 1927 to 1928.

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INVENTORY

Series 1:
(A7B 3, 5-9)

Scrapbook 1	Feb 24, 1920 – Sept 30, 1922	Clippings: Eastman Theatre. Opening of Eastman Theatre and Eastman School of Music.
Scrapbook 2	Sept 3, 1922 – Dec 30, 1922	Clippings: Eastman Theatre. Opening of Eastman Theatre and Eastman School of Music. First performances in Eastman Theatre.
Scrapbook 3	Sept 17, 1922 – June 22, 1923	Clippings: Eastman Theatre. Opening of Eastman Theatre and Eastman School of Music.
Scrapbook 4	Jan 16, 1923 – July 25, 1923	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 5	July 21, 1923 – Dec 22, 1923	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 6	Dec 22, 1923 – Apr 16, 1924	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 7	Apr 10, 1924 – Oct 13, 1924	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 8	Oct 11, 1924 – March 12, 1925	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 9	March 12, 1925 – Sept 20, 1925	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 10	Sept 9, 1925 – Jan 23, 1926	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 11	Jan 23, 1926 – May 23, 1926	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances. Includes press on George Eastman’s African safari.
Scrapbook 12	June 6, 1926 – Oct 30, 1926	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances. Includes press on George Eastman’s African safari.
Scrapbook 13	Oct 31, 1926 – April 15, 1927	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 14	April 1, 1927 – Nov 27, 1927	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 15	Dec 1927 – May 1928	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.
Scrapbook 16	May 1928 – Nov 1928	Clippings: Eastman Theatre motion pictures and performances.

Series 2:

(A7B 3, 4)

Scrapbook 1	Sept 2, 1922 – June 1, 1923	Clippings: Eastman Theatre film/concert announcements.
Scrapbook 1	Nov 1923 – April 1924	Clippings: Eastman Theatre film/concert announcements.
Scrapbook 1	April 23, 1924 – April 1, 1926	Clippings: Eastman Theatre film/concert announcements.
Scrapbook 1	April 1926 – March 1928	Clippings: Eastman Theatre film/concert announcements.

Series 3:

(A7B 3, 10)

Scrapbook 1	August 1925 – Dec 1925	Clippings: Piccadilly and Regent Theatres
Scrapbook 1	Jan 1, 1927 – May 15, 1928	Clippings: Piccadilly and Regent Theatres