Keswick Theatre records 17 Finding aid prepared by Celia Caust-Ellenbogen and Faith Charlton through the Historical Society of 's Hidden

Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories.

Last updated on September 27, 2016.

Old York Road Historical Society Keswick Theatre records

Table of Contents

Summary Information...... 3 Biography/History...... 4 Scope and Contents...... 4 Administrative Information...... 5 Controlled Access Headings...... 5

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Summary Information

Repository Old York Road Historical Society

Creator Keswick Theatre (Glenside, Pa.)

Title Keswick Theatre records

Call number 17

Date [bulk] 1980-2006

Date [inclusive] 1924-2006

Extent 1.8 linear feet

Language English

Abstract The Keswick Theatre, designed by famed architect as a combination vaudeville/movie house, opened in Glenside, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1928. The theater was closed in 1980 and slated for demolition when the Glenside Landmarks Society, a not-for-profit group, formed with the hope of restoring it to its former grandeur and operations. They were successful, and the Keswick re-opened under private ownership in 1988. The Keswick Theatre records, 1924-2006, include newspaper clippings, a scrapbook, ephemera such as tickets and programs, documents from the Glenside Landmark Society, and research for a book on the Keswick.

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Biography/History

"The Keswick Theatre first opened its doors on Christmas Night, 1928. Nationally recognized as the most comfortable, acoustically perfect listening room in the entire market, the Keswick was designed by acclaimed architect Horace Trumbauer (who also created the Philadelphia Museum of Art). Initially a combination vaudeville/movie house, the Keswick hosted such legends as Stepin' Fetchit, Paul Robeson and Ina Ray Hutton (Betty's sister) with her all-girl band. In 1955, the theater was remodeled into a cinemascope film house, hosting the area's premiere releases of most of the big-budget movies from the 1950s and '60s. In Spring 1980, the Keswick closed its doors as a movie theater, slated for demolition. The Glenside Landmarks Society, a not-for-profit group, formed with the hope of restoring it to its former grandeur to operate as a performing arts center. [The theatre] re-opened in 1981 with a sold-out concert by Fred Waring and the Young Pennsylvanians. Over the next four years, stars like Roberta Peters, Carlos Montoya, Theodore Bikel, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band graced the stage. The Keswick was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, but the non-profit group wasn't [able] to meet expenses, and closed the theater in December 1985." The Keswick reopened under private ownership in March 1988. Since then, the theatre has enjoyed a period of revitalization, with extensive building renovations, technological improvements, and seasons of increasingly popular and diversified performances. Bibliography: Keswick Theatre. "Learn More About Us." Accessed May 9, 2013. http://www.keswicktheatre.com/? page_id=305

Scope and Contents

This collection includes: newspaper clippings; documents from the Glenside Landmark Society regarding designating the Keswick as a historic site and their operation of the site; a scrapbook of correspondence, principally regarding charitable donations made by Keswick Theatre, theatre events, and student outreach responses; Keswick Theatre tickets, programs, advertisements, and other ephemera; 2006 VHS, "Abington News & Views" episode at the Keswick; research files from book about the Keswick; 2003 guest book; and several photographs.

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Administrative Information

Old York Road Historical Society Finding aid prepared by Celia Caust-Ellenbogen and Faith Charlton through the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories.

Sponsor This preliminary finding aid was created as part of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories. The HCI-PSAR project was made possible by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Access Restrictions Contact Old York Road Historical Society for information about accessing this collection.

Immediate Source of Acquisition Note Accessions 2005.027; 1000.005.26

Processing Information Note Summary descriptive information on this collection was compiled in 2012-2014 as part of a project conducted by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to make better known and more accessible the largely hidden collections of small, primarily volunteer run repositories in the Philadelphia area. The Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories (HCI-PSAR) was funded by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This is a preliminary finding aid. No physical processing, rehousing, reorganizing, or folder listing was accomplished during the HCI-PSAR project. In some cases, more detailed inventories or finding aids may be available on-site at the repository where this collection is held; please contact Old York Road Historical Society directly for more information.

Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

- Page 5 - Keswick Theatre records • Glenside Landmarks Society • Keswick Theatre (Glenside, Pa.)

Geographic Name(s)

• Glenside (Pa.) • Montgomery County (Pa.)

Subject(s)

• Historic buildings--Conservation and restoration • Theaters

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