Hidden Gem: American Movie Palace Museum in Elmhurst

The Theatre Historical Society of America doesn’t guard its vast theater memorabilia collection and archives with an impenetrable force field, like the movies.

It’s a “hidden treasure” the society wants to share, says Executive Director Richard J. Sklenar.

Theatre Historical Society of America (THSA) holds a vast archive of historic and architectural information, including its American Movie Palace Museum in Elmhurst. On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, Executive Director Richard Sklenar leans on the 1926 conductor's podium from Chicago's Granada Theatre, part of the collection, sort of the command center of its era. There are controls  for the conductor, orchestra and organ lifts; call buttons for stage and projection booth, and dials that display the speed the film is running so that the conductor can adjust the tempo of the music to match. STAFF PHOTO BY BILL ACKERMAN

The 40-year-old society that collects information on theater architecture oversees the American Movie Palace Museum and the American Theatre Architecture Archives on the second floor of the York Theatre in downtown Elmhurst.

Konrad Schiecke, a society member since 1991, has used the archives to write two books: “Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois, 1883-1960” and “Historic Movie Theatres of Wisconsin: Nineteenth Century Opera Houses through 1950s Playhouses, Town by Town.”

“Every time I come here I do filing, and I love to see the old pictures of theaters,” he says.

“We have an extensive archive holding,” Sklenar says. With information on more than 15,000 theatres, primarily in the United States, it is the largest collection in the nation.

The museum harbors dioramas, photographs, the remains of several demolished theaters and even a donated 35MM Motion Picture Projector.

Both facilities are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on most third Saturdays.

Admission to the museum is free. The archives are open by advance appointment only and research fees apply.
 

The American Movie Palace Museum and the American Theatre Architecture Archives
WHERE York Theatre, second floor, 150 N. York St., Elmhurst
PHONE (630) 782-1800
WEB www.historictheatres.org
WHY YOU SHOULD GO The American Movie Palace Museum is free to anyone wanting a clear picture of what theaters were like in the past.
CLAIM TO FAME History on more than 15,000 theaters past and present are readily available to the public in the American Theatre Architecture Archives at Elmhurst’s York Theatre.