Historic Theatres' Trust.
Historic Theatres' Trust collection = Fonds Société des salles historiques, 1879-2006, predominant 1989-2006.
ca. 3,747 items.
The Historic Theatres' Trust collection comprises the Historic Theatres' Trust library and archives and includes the organization's administrative files as well as reports, feasibility studies, monographs, periodicals, newsletters, theatre programs, photographs, clippings, postcards and theatrical memorabilia. A significant component of this collection is the Emmanuel Briffa Collection, named after one of Canada's most prolific theatre decorators and containing slides, photographs, postcards, theatre programs, clippings, and printed ephemera.
The non-profit heritage organization Historic Theatres' Trust (French equivalent: Sociéte des salles historiques) was founded in Montréal in 1989 with a mandate to promote the preservation of historic Canadian theatres for their reuse in the performing or cinematic arts. With this goal in mind HTT sought to develop an increased appreciation within the Canadian public concerning the preservation of historic Canadian theatres, and also to provide technical documentation and expertise to encourage improved methods of preserving, restoring, maintaining, operating and researching historic theatres. As founding president Janet MacKinnon noted at the time, there was a definite need for the documentation of these buildings. Very little had been published about Canadian theatres and many research hours were being spent chasing down localized articles and studies. MacKinnon also noted that there was a strong public resistance to recognizing the significant value of historic theatres, the viability of their restoration, and the community benefits that result from their revitalization. Another factor influencing the founding of HTT was that other similar organizations had existed in other countries since the late 1970s, and that they offered a variety of useful services, as well as an established support network through the association of their members. Recognizing the success of these groups, it was felt that a Canadian organization could be established and benefit from the work these groups had done and also share similar success. The organization's founding was announced in April 1989 at the annual conference of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, and the group held its first meeting at the Canadian Centre for Architecture on June 29, 1989. Initially the organization was known as Theatres' Trust (French equivalent: Société des salles anciennes), inspired by the name of the British "Theatres Trust", an entity established by the British Parliament in 1976 to promote the protection of theatres in the UK. However, when Theatres' Trust became incorporated in January 1991, the Canadian government required a small change to the name, and the organization became known as Historic Theatres' Trust. In addition to founder Janet MacKinnon, early members included designer Kieren Beattie, scenographer Claude Fortin, and historians Jean-Marc Larrue, Jocelyne Martineau, and André Bourassa. Other members who would serve in various positions on the HTT board until its demise in 2006 included Philip Dombowsky, John Ward, François Beaudry-Losique, James G. Leworthy, Dane Lanken, Leslie Gilbert, and Michel Cayer. At its height, HTT boasted members from across Canada, and also had members in the United States, Australia, England, New Zealand, and France. Members included theatre owners and operators, historians, management consultants, architects, systems technicians, and students, among others. In order to keep costs at a minimum, the group never opened a public office, and board meetings were held at various locations in and around Montréal including the Canadian Centre for Architecture, l'Université du Québec à Montréal, and the Westmount Public Library. From 1989 to 2002 HTT published Bulletin (known as Proscenium from 1989-1990), a newsletter providing updates on the group's activities, preservation news from across Canada, conference listings, book reviews, and also articles on historic theatres. HTT also published a Resource Book for its members, a directory of theatre consultants, heritage consultants, acousticians, architects, restoration crafts, technical systems and design, seating specialists, library resources, Canadian heritage groups, Canadian theatre and cinema organizations, international historic theatre and cinema associations, theatre organ societies, government heritage agencies, heritage lawyers, and advertisers. Recognizing the importance of documentation as a necessary first-step toward preservation, HTT from its inception began amassing a library of books, periodicals, feasibility studies, reports, and files related to the history, restoration, and operation of historic theatres. In addition, work was started on an Inventory of Historic Canadian Theatres (never published), meant to be a listing of Canadian theatres constructed prior to 1940 (later expanded to include theatres built prior to 1950). An archival collection was begun as well, which over time included photographs, slides, postcards, printed ephemera, and historic memorabilia. This collection was christened the Emmanuel Briffa Collection, named in honour of theatre decorator Emmanuel Briffa (1875-1955). The library and archives was indispensible to HTT's preservation efforts, as it gave the organization a knowledge base from which to write advocacy letters, file designation applications, assist local preservation campaigns and groups, help historians and other individuals with their research, and to put different groups and individuals in contact with each other.
Historic Theatres' Trust.
Theatres' Trust.
Theaters Conservation and restoration Canada.
Theaters Conservation and restoration.
Théâtres Conservation et restauration Canada.
Théâtres Conservation et restauration.
Canada.
Fonds (collections)
Theatres' Trust.
Historic Theatres' Trust collection/Fonds Société des salles historiques.
Fonds Société des salles historiques
Location: Library main 280667
Call No.: BIB 217626
Status: Available
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