Guide to the Save Orchestra Hall Records UR002849 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on February 04, 2020. English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Walter P. Reuther Library 5401 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48202 URL: https://reuther.wayne.edu Guide to the Save Orchestra Hall Records UR002849 Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 History ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Scope and Content ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Arrangement ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 5 Controlled Access Headings .......................................................................................................................... 6 Collection Inventory ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Series I: Board of Directors and Executive Committee ............................................................................. 6 Series II: Legal ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Series III: Administrative ............................................................................................................................ 8 Series IV: Restoration ............................................................................................................................... 15 Series V: History, marketing and news coverage ..................................................................................... 17 Series VI: Programs and events ................................................................................................................ 23 - Page 2 - Guide to the Save Orchestra Hall Records UR002849 Summary Information Repository: Walter P. Reuther Library Source: Detroit Symphony Orchestra Creator: Ganson, Paul Adelmer Title: Save Orchestra Hall Records ID: UR002849 Date [inclusive]: 1919-2003 Date [bulk]: 1970-1998 Physical Description: 9.5 Linear Feet (17 MB, 1 OS) Language of the English Material: Language of the Material entirely in English. Material: Abstract: Built in 1919, Orchestra Hall was the home for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) until the financial pressures of the Depression forced the DSO to move to the Masonic Temple Theater. Renamed the Paradise Theater, the Hall remained a performance venue in Detroit until 1951 when the building was virtually abandoned. In 1970, Orchestra Hall was scheduled to be demolished when a group of local citizens, led by DSO bassoonist Paul Ganson, intervened. These concerned citizens formed Save Orchestra Hall, Inc. to raise funds and awareness for the preservation of Orchestra Hall. Following this successful campaign, Save Orchestra Hall, Inc. then turned to restoring the Hall to its past glory. As a result of these endeavors, the DSO returned to Orchestra Hall, making the Hall their permanent home in 1989. Soon thereafter, Save Orchestra Hall, Inc. and the DSO entered into a joint venture called Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, Inc. to consolidate their efforts regarding the continuing operation and renovation of Orchestra Hall and its environs. Materials include legal and corporate documents, meeting minutes, reports, property and tax records, contracts, plans, proposals, studies, blueprints, journals, memoranda, notes, promotional materials, news clippings, and correspondence relating to Save Orchestra Hall, Inc. and related organizations as well as the preservation, restoration, and operation of Orchestra Hall. - Page 3- Guide to the Save Orchestra Hall Records UR002849 Citation Style "Save Orchestra Hall Records, Box [#], Folder [#], Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University" ^ Return to Table of Contents History Built in 1919, Orchestra Hall was the home for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) until the financial pressures of the Depression forced the DSO to move to the Masonic Temple Theater. Renamed the Paradise Theater, the Hall remained a performance venue in Detroit until 1951 when the building was virtually abandoned. In 1970, Orchestra Hall was scheduled to be demolished when a group of local citizens, led by DSO bassoonist Paul Ganson, intervened. These concerned citizens formed Save Orchestra Hall, Inc. to raise funds and awareness for the preservation of Orchestra Hall. Following this successful campaign, Save Orchestra Hall, Inc. then turned to restoring the Hall to its past glory. As a result of these endeavors, the DSO returned to Orchestra Hall, making the Hall their permanent home in 1989. Soon thereafter, Save Orchestra Hall, Inc. and the DSO entered into a joint venture called Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, Inc. to consolidate their efforts regarding the continuing operation and renovation of Orchestra Hall and its environs. ^ Return to Table of Contents Scope and Content Materials include legal and corporate documents, meeting minutes, reports, property and tax records, contracts, plans, proposals, studies, blueprints, journals, memoranda, notes, promotional materials, news clippings, and correspondence relating to Save Orchestra Hall, Inc. and related organizations as well as the preservation, restoration, and operation of Orchestra Hall. Series I: Board of Directors and Executive Committee, 1980-1990 Series II: Legal, 1970-1988 Series III: Administrative, 1970-1997 Series IV: Restoration, 1973-2003 Series V: HIstory, marketing, and news coverage, 1919-2001 Series VI: Programs and events, 1919-1986 ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 4- Guide to the Save Orchestra Hall Records UR002849 Arrangement This collection was originally processed into 4 separate parts, but was combined into one collection, with similar original series, at the Reuther Library. The Save Orchestra Hall Records are arranged in 6 series - Series I: Board of Directors and Executive Committee, 1980-1990 (Box 1-2), Series II: Legal, 1970-1988 (Box 2), Series III: Administrative, 1970-1997 (Box 3-12), Series IV: Restoration, 1973-2003 (Box 13-15), Series V: History, marketing, and news coverage, 1919-2001 (Box 15-16), and Series VI: Programs and Events, 1919-1986 (Box 17). Folders are arranged roughly in alphabetical order. ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Publication Statement Walter P. Reuther Library 5401 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48202 URL: https://reuther.wayne.edu Acquisition The Save Orchestra Hall Records were deposited at the Walter P. Reuther Library by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on December 20, 2018 Processing History Processed and finding aid written by Shae Rafferty on December 9, 2019. Originally processed at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Archives by Daniel Baker, Holly Tylenda, Karly Szczepkowski, and Cynthia Korolov. Access Collection is open for research with some exceptions. Boxes 2, 10, 11, 13 contain folders with restricted material. Archivist must remove restricted material from these marked folders before providing access. - Page 5- Guide to the Save Orchestra Hall Records UR002849 Use Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library "Rules for Use of Archival Materials." ^ Return to Table of Contents Controlled Access Headings • Buildings--Detroit (Mich.) • Symphony orchestras • Detroit Symphony Orchestra • Save Orchestra Hall (Detroit, Mich.) Collection Inventory Series I: Board of Directors and Executive Committee, 1980-1990 Title/Description Instances Board Member List, 1986 Box 1 Folder 1 Board of Directors, 1987-1989 Box 1 Folder 2 Board of Directors - announcements, agendas and meeting Box 1 Folder 3 minutes, May-September 1984 Board of Directors - minutes and agendas, 1982, 1983, 1988 Box 1 Folder 4 Board of Directors - meeting minutes, 1983-1984 Box 1 Folder 5 Board of Directors - meeting minutes, 1984-1985 Box 1 Folder 6 Board of Directors - meeting minutes, 1985-1986 Box 1 Folder 7 Board of Directors - meeting minutes, 1986-1987 Box 1 Folder 8 Board of Directors - meeting minutes, 1987-1988 Box 1 Folder 9 Board of Directors - meeting minutes, 1989-1990 Box 1 Folder 10 Board of Directors - Final Meeting of Save Orchestra Hall Board Box 1 Folder 11 of Directors, May 22, 1989 Board of Directors- Special Meeting and Campaign Box 1 Folder 12 Announcement, May 25, 1988 Resolutions of the Board of Directors - meeting minutes, 1990 Box 1 Folder 13 Resolutions of the Board of Directors, undated - Page 6- Guide to the Save Orchestra Hall Records UR002849 Box 1 Folder 14 ByLaws - Save Orchestra Hall, Inc., September 1982; Re-stated Box 1 Folder 15 ByLaws - Save Orchestra Hall, Inc., February 1989 Executive Committee, 1988-1989 Box 1 Folder 16 Executive Committee Meeting Notices, Agendas and Minutes, Box 1 Folder 17 1980-1986 Executive Committee - meeting minutes, 1982-1983 Box 1 Folder 18 Executive Committee - meeting minutes and agendas, 1983 Box 1 Folder 19 Executive Committee - meeting minutes, 1983-1984 Box 1 Folder 20 Executive Committee - meeting