Theatre Museum of Repertoire bursts with history

MT. PLEASANT — Through the visit of a national expert in the provenance and preservation of artifacts like those housed at the The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana.in Mt. Pleasant last week, the museum received much appreciated information on their collection and how to best preserve it going forward.

The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana, commonly known simply as the Theatre Museum, located on the Midwest Old Thresher’s grounds, is home to numerous artifacts from the 1850s-1950s traveling entertainment troupes.

According to the Old Thresher’s website, “The Theatre Museum house a most unique collection of memorabilia from early American popular entertainment. Priceless stage drops, quaint artifacts, a massive computer cataloged library, scripts and music scores.”

“The museum has an extensive collection of theatrical backdrops painted in the late 1800s and early 1900s, one of the largest such collections in existence in one place,” Museum President Monie Hayes said.

As preservation expert Dr. Wendy Waszut-Barrett, founder and owner of Historic Stage Services LLC in Minneapolis, made her way through the collection the week of Jan. 8, she armed the museum with additional history of specific backdrops along with connections to American and art history.

Hosted by the National Society for the Preservation of Tent, Folk and Repertoire Theatre, Waszut-Barrett also worked with volunteers over the week to unfold, measure and document the museum’s extensive theatrical backdrops.

She also spent time educating the museum and volunteers on proper storage, restoration, and some in-depth information on specific pieces.

“There are so many stories in this collection as a whole,” Waszut-Barrett said in a presentation at the end of the week. “I think of it as you’re visiting at least 20 theater when you walk through the door and you’re seeing the visuals that we share as a community.”

“Whether you work in the middle of Kansas, up in Washington, or Coney Island or on Broadway, you were getting the same aesthetic because the scenic studios were delivering this same aesthetic, because the scenic studios were delivering this same aesthetic. It didn’t matter if you were in a small rural community, you didn’t get a less-than backdrop.”

According to Waszut-Barrett, the Theatre Museum’s collection tells the history not only of theater folk, but the painters of these backdrops that included artists of varied ethnic backgrounds and genders.

“This collection is connected worldwide to museums all over the world, to entertainment venues and histories of scenic artists and theater history in England, and in all Scandinavian countries, and Germany,” she said. “You have artwork done by people who all their other stuff is gone.”

Waszut-Barrett called the collection “remarkable” and spoke highly of the community’s ability to support “one of the greatest collections in North America.”

According to Waszut-Barrett, the very location of the collection on the Old Threshers grounds adds to the ability for people of similar interests to find the remarkable pieces and appreciate their history because those attending threshing reunions already have a lean to want to know history of similar areas.

“The people who are interested in this are also interested in the steamships are also interested in seeing whether it's horse drawn or steam for threshing machines. Because you're able to step back in time just for that moment and connect with the people,” Waszut-Barret said. “That is what is so very important is that we have a link to the past that allows us to live in the present, that makes us want to save the future for the generations that come after us.”

According to Waszut-Barrett, the collection consists of close to 100 backdrops, 50 of which she worked to restore during her time in Mt. Pleasant.

“This is an international draw for people who would come and clamor to see what you have in your collection,” she said.

Despite her praises, Waszut-Barrett encouraged the museum to look toward better preservation techniques for the long-term future of their collection.

According to Waszut-Barrett, the best way to store these large backdrops is similar to how they would have been used, hanging tall and proud. With preservation in mind, though, she suggests the museum looks into ways that would still protect the drops from accidental touching and that they are displayed in a manner that the fabric won’t need to bunch at the top or bottom.

A goal to make this all possible, however, will take time and money.

As the Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana continues their pursuit of “the preservation of memorabilia and artifacts of early repertoire theatre,” they also continue to welcome visitors to experience the vast collection of history hidden just behind their doors on the Old Threshers grounds in Mt. Pleasant.

They have regular hours Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day and are open by appointment at other times of the year. They also welcome group tours and offer group rates.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com