{"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University\u0026page=7","prev":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University\u0026page=6","next":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University\u0026page=8","last":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University\u0026page=202"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":7,"next_page":8,"prev_page":6,"total_pages":202,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":60,"total_count":2018,"first_page?":false,"last_page?":false}},"data":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01_c37","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Albert E. Kahn-Cedric Belfrage (agents of influence), 1951/1973","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01_c37#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eCommunism\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01_c37#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01_c37","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01_c37"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01_c37","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01","parent_ssim":["Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997","Series 1: Anti-Communism and Subversive Activities, 1928/1975"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01"],"title_filing_ssi":"Albert E. Kahn-Cedric Belfrage (agents of influence)","title_ssm":["Albert E. Kahn-Cedric Belfrage (agents of influence)"],"title_tesim":["Albert E. Kahn-Cedric Belfrage (agents of influence)"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Albert E. Kahn-Cedric Belfrage (agents of influence), 1951/1973"],"text":["Albert E. Kahn-Cedric Belfrage (agents of influence), 1951/1973","Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997","Series 1: Anti-Communism and Subversive Activities, 1928/1975","folder 3","box 4","Communism"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997","Series 1: Anti-Communism and Subversive Activities, 1928/1975"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997","Series 1: Anti-Communism and Subversive Activities, 1928/1975"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1951/1973"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1951-1973"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[2],"sort_isi":38,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997"],"containers_ssim":["folder 3","box 4"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no access restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"date_range_isim":[1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCommunism\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents note"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Communism"],"_nest_path_":"/components#0/components#36","timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:34:17.521Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_139.xml","title_ssm":["Francis J. McNamara papers"],"title_tesim":["Francis J. McNamara papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1928-1997"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1928-1997"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1928/1997"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997"],"text":["Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997","C0024","/repositories/2/resources/139","Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)","United States -- Politics and government","United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century","Radicalism -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Subversive activities -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Espionage, American -- History -- 20th century","Cold War -- Social aspects -- United States","Communism -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Protest movements -- United States","There are no access restrictions.","Organized into three series.","Series\n      Series 1: Anti-Communism and Subversive Activities, 1928-1975 (Boxes 1-154)\n      Series 2: National Security, 1976-1997 (Boxes 155-214)\n      Series 3: Realia, 1950s (Box 215)","Francis John McNamara was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1915. After earning degrees at St. John's University in 1938 and Niagara University in 1939 (both in English), he joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in Asia in the China-Burma theater of operations as an intelligence officer and attained the rank of Major. After the war, married his wife of fifty-five years, Katherine Foley, and joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) assisting in the Jehol and Hupeh provinces of China.","When he returned to the United States in 1948, he went to work as a researcher for American Business Consultants, Inc., in New York City, a security firm and publisher of the anticommunist newsletter Counterattack. In January of 1950 he became editor of Counterattack where he remained until May of 1954. He then moved to Washington, D.C., to head the National Security Program of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In 1958 he left the VFW to serve as a research analyst and consultant to the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC). In 1961 he became director of research at HUAC, and in 1962, its staff director. In 1970 he went to work for the Subversive Activities Control Board (SACB), where he served as executive secretary. In 1981 he became executive director of the Nathan Hale Foundation. He served as vice-chairman of the Security and Intelligence Foundation from 1987-90 and was a senior fellow at the Center for Intelligence Studies in Arlington, Virginia. McNamara died on February 27, 2007 at the age of 91.","The Francis J. McNamara Papers were processed between 1995 and 2009 by Special Collections Research Center Staff. During this processing period, SCRC retained the donor's original filing scheme (alphabetical arrangement by subject/topic). A print finding aid (Francis J. McNamara collection: Finding Aid and Research Guide with Index) was initially published in 1997, which described the first 52 boxes. In 2007 the remaining portion of the collection was processed by Benjamin Ranta and Colva Weissenstein, and an EAD finding aid was prepared. Final processing was completed by David Arditi and Kelsey Willingham in 2008-2009. EAD revisions completed by David Arditi and Kelsey Willingham in 2008-2009.","Special Collections Research Center also holds a small collection of books from McNamara's personal library (283 titles in total). These can be found in the University Libraries catalog  with a keyword search on \"Francis J. McNamara collection\".","The Francis J. McNamara Papers represent his lifelong career and study in the field of anticommunism and national security. Materials which comprise this collection track both his employment and interests during the period 1947-1997, including his work at American Business Consultants (1948-1954), the VFW (1954-1958), HUAC(1958-1969), SACB (1970-1973), and later consulting and editing work.","Types of materials include magazine and news clippings regarding subjects of interest to McNamara; final versions of U.S. government reports pertaining to investigations of individuals and/or organizations suspected of subversive activity; manuscript notes; correspondence both to and from McNamara; and pamphlets, journals and newsletters from both the left and right sides of the political spectrum covering the period 1928 through 1997.","Main subject areas include but are not limited to: domestic and foreign communism; the Cold War (i.e. the Soviet Bloc, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Latin America); espionage and intelligence; political and cultural figures; entertainment and news media; the antiwar movement; assassinations; and domestic groups (i.e. the Black Panthers, KKK, SNCC, and the Weather Underground).","The first series covers the first half of Francis McNamara's career, with collected material roughly covering the years 1928-1975. This series contains material from McNamara's career with the House Un-American Activities Committee in Congress and later with the Subversive Activities Control Board. The second series covers the second half of Francis McNamara's career, corresponding roughly with the dates 1976-1997. This series contains material from McNamara's career at the Hale Foundation and later work. The third series, consisting of one box, contains regalia and various artifacts such as stamps, notecards, and notebooks used by McNamara.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The Francis J. McNamara papers contains materials collected by Francis J. McNamara dating from 1928 to 1997 pertaining to American politics and culture during this period. The main concentration in this collection deals with national security with respect to the influence of Communism, the Civil Rights Movement, and the counterculture. It is comprised of newspaper and magazine articles, letters, memoranda and other personal documents, U.S. government documents, pamphlets, and other printed materials.","R11, C3, S3-S7 - C4, S2-S7\n\n\nR12, C1, S2-S7 - C4, S2-S7\n\n\nOS R7, C2, S1","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Civil Liberties Union","Hale Foundation","United States. Central Intelligence Agency","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Internal Security","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities","United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation","United States. Subversive Activities Control Board","McNamara, Francis J., 1915-2007","McCarthy, Joseph, 1908-1957","Walter, Francis E. (Francis Eugene), 1894-1963","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997"],"collection_ssim":["Francis J. McNamara papers, 1928/1997"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0024","/repositories/2/resources/139"],"unitid_tesim":["C0024","/repositories/2/resources/139"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)","United States -- Politics and government","United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century"],"geogname_ssim":["Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)","United States -- Politics and government","United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century"],"places_ssim":["Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)","United States -- Politics and government","United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century"],"creator_ssm":["McNamara, Francis J., 1915-2007"],"creator_ssim":["McNamara, Francis J., 1915-2007"],"creator_persname_ssim":["McNamara, Francis J., 1915-2007","McCarthy, Joseph, 1908-1957","Walter, Francis E. (Francis Eugene), 1894-1963"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Civil Liberties Union","Hale Foundation","United States. Central Intelligence Agency","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Internal Security","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities","United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation","United States. Subversive Activities Control Board"],"creators_ssim":["McNamara, Francis J., 1915-2007","McCarthy, Joseph, 1908-1957","Walter, Francis E. (Francis Eugene), 1894-1963","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Civil Liberties Union","Hale Foundation","United States. Central Intelligence Agency","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Internal Security","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities","United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation","United States. Subversive Activities Control Board"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["This collection was donated by Francis J. McNamara in four deposits during the period 1995 to 1998."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Radicalism -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Subversive activities -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Espionage, American -- History -- 20th century","Cold War -- Social aspects -- United States","Communism -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Protest movements -- United States"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Radicalism -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Subversive activities -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Espionage, American -- History -- 20th century","Cold War -- Social aspects -- United States","Communism -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Protest movements -- United States"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["109.5 Linear Feet 216 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["109.5 Linear Feet 216 boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eOrganized into three series.\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Anti-Communism and Subversive Activities, 1928-1975 (Boxes 1-154)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: National Security, 1976-1997 (Boxes 155-214)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Realia, 1950s (Box 215)\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Organized into three series.","Series\n      Series 1: Anti-Communism and Subversive Activities, 1928-1975 (Boxes 1-154)\n      Series 2: National Security, 1976-1997 (Boxes 155-214)\n      Series 3: Realia, 1950s (Box 215)"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrancis John McNamara was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1915. After earning degrees at St. John's University in 1938 and Niagara University in 1939 (both in English), he joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in Asia in the China-Burma theater of operations as an intelligence officer and attained the rank of Major. After the war, married his wife of fifty-five years, Katherine Foley, and joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) assisting in the Jehol and Hupeh provinces of China. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWhen he returned to the United States in 1948, he went to work as a researcher for American Business Consultants, Inc., in New York City, a security firm and publisher of the anticommunist newsletter Counterattack. In January of 1950 he became editor of Counterattack where he remained until May of 1954. He then moved to Washington, D.C., to head the National Security Program of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In 1958 he left the VFW to serve as a research analyst and consultant to the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC). In 1961 he became director of research at HUAC, and in 1962, its staff director. In 1970 he went to work for the Subversive Activities Control Board (SACB), where he served as executive secretary. In 1981 he became executive director of the Nathan Hale Foundation. He served as vice-chairman of the Security and Intelligence Foundation from 1987-90 and was a senior fellow at the Center for Intelligence Studies in Arlington, Virginia. McNamara died on February 27, 2007 at the age of 91. \u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Francis John McNamara was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1915. After earning degrees at St. John's University in 1938 and Niagara University in 1939 (both in English), he joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in Asia in the China-Burma theater of operations as an intelligence officer and attained the rank of Major. After the war, married his wife of fifty-five years, Katherine Foley, and joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) assisting in the Jehol and Hupeh provinces of China.","When he returned to the United States in 1948, he went to work as a researcher for American Business Consultants, Inc., in New York City, a security firm and publisher of the anticommunist newsletter Counterattack. In January of 1950 he became editor of Counterattack where he remained until May of 1954. He then moved to Washington, D.C., to head the National Security Program of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In 1958 he left the VFW to serve as a research analyst and consultant to the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC). In 1961 he became director of research at HUAC, and in 1962, its staff director. In 1970 he went to work for the Subversive Activities Control Board (SACB), where he served as executive secretary. In 1981 he became executive director of the Nathan Hale Foundation. He served as vice-chairman of the Security and Intelligence Foundation from 1987-90 and was a senior fellow at the Center for Intelligence Studies in Arlington, Virginia. McNamara died on February 27, 2007 at the age of 91."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrancis J. McNamara papers, C0024, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University. George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Francis J. McNamara papers, C0024, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University. George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Francis J. McNamara Papers were processed between 1995 and 2009 by Special Collections Research Center Staff. During this processing period, SCRC retained the donor's original filing scheme (alphabetical arrangement by subject/topic). A print finding aid (Francis J. McNamara collection: Finding Aid and Research Guide with Index) was initially published in 1997, which described the first 52 boxes. In 2007 the remaining portion of the collection was processed by Benjamin Ranta and Colva Weissenstein, and an EAD finding aid was prepared. Final processing was completed by David Arditi and Kelsey Willingham in 2008-2009. EAD revisions completed by David Arditi and Kelsey Willingham in 2008-2009.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["The Francis J. McNamara Papers were processed between 1995 and 2009 by Special Collections Research Center Staff. During this processing period, SCRC retained the donor's original filing scheme (alphabetical arrangement by subject/topic). A print finding aid (Francis J. McNamara collection: Finding Aid and Research Guide with Index) was initially published in 1997, which described the first 52 boxes. In 2007 the remaining portion of the collection was processed by Benjamin Ranta and Colva Weissenstein, and an EAD finding aid was prepared. Final processing was completed by David Arditi and Kelsey Willingham in 2008-2009. EAD revisions completed by David Arditi and Kelsey Willingham in 2008-2009."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSpecial Collections Research Center also holds a small collection of books from McNamara's personal library (283 titles in total). These can be found in the University Libraries catalog \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"Catalog\" href=\"http://library.gmu.edu/\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e with a keyword search on \"Francis J. McNamara collection\".\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Special Collections Research Center also holds a small collection of books from McNamara's personal library (283 titles in total). These can be found in the University Libraries catalog  with a keyword search on \"Francis J. McNamara collection\"."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Francis J. McNamara Papers represent his lifelong career and study in the field of anticommunism and national security. Materials which comprise this collection track both his employment and interests during the period 1947-1997, including his work at American Business Consultants (1948-1954), the VFW (1954-1958), HUAC(1958-1969), SACB (1970-1973), and later consulting and editing work. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTypes of materials include magazine and news clippings regarding subjects of interest to McNamara; final versions of U.S. government reports pertaining to investigations of individuals and/or organizations suspected of subversive activity; manuscript notes; correspondence both to and from McNamara; and pamphlets, journals and newsletters from both the left and right sides of the political spectrum covering the period 1928 through 1997. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMain subject areas include but are not limited to: domestic and foreign communism; the Cold War (i.e. the Soviet Bloc, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Latin America); espionage and intelligence; political and cultural figures; entertainment and news media; the antiwar movement; assassinations; and domestic groups (i.e. the Black Panthers, KKK, SNCC, and the Weather Underground). \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe first series covers the first half of Francis McNamara's career, with collected material roughly covering the years 1928-1975. This series contains material from McNamara's career with the House Un-American Activities Committee in Congress and later with the Subversive Activities Control Board. The second series covers the second half of Francis McNamara's career, corresponding roughly with the dates 1976-1997. This series contains material from McNamara's career at the Hale Foundation and later work. The third series, consisting of one box, contains regalia and various artifacts such as stamps, notecards, and notebooks used by McNamara. \u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Francis J. McNamara Papers represent his lifelong career and study in the field of anticommunism and national security. Materials which comprise this collection track both his employment and interests during the period 1947-1997, including his work at American Business Consultants (1948-1954), the VFW (1954-1958), HUAC(1958-1969), SACB (1970-1973), and later consulting and editing work.","Types of materials include magazine and news clippings regarding subjects of interest to McNamara; final versions of U.S. government reports pertaining to investigations of individuals and/or organizations suspected of subversive activity; manuscript notes; correspondence both to and from McNamara; and pamphlets, journals and newsletters from both the left and right sides of the political spectrum covering the period 1928 through 1997.","Main subject areas include but are not limited to: domestic and foreign communism; the Cold War (i.e. the Soviet Bloc, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Latin America); espionage and intelligence; political and cultural figures; entertainment and news media; the antiwar movement; assassinations; and domestic groups (i.e. the Black Panthers, KKK, SNCC, and the Weather Underground).","The first series covers the first half of Francis McNamara's career, with collected material roughly covering the years 1928-1975. This series contains material from McNamara's career with the House Un-American Activities Committee in Congress and later with the Subversive Activities Control Board. The second series covers the second half of Francis McNamara's career, corresponding roughly with the dates 1976-1997. This series contains material from McNamara's career at the Hale Foundation and later work. The third series, consisting of one box, contains regalia and various artifacts such as stamps, notecards, and notebooks used by McNamara."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_4be41bef83b492fd1ece72e24031bfec\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Francis J. McNamara papers contains materials collected by Francis J. McNamara dating from 1928 to 1997 pertaining to American politics and culture during this period. The main concentration in this collection deals with national security with respect to the influence of Communism, the Civil Rights Movement, and the counterculture. It is comprised of newspaper and magazine articles, letters, memoranda and other personal documents, U.S. government documents, pamphlets, and other printed materials.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Francis J. McNamara papers contains materials collected by Francis J. McNamara dating from 1928 to 1997 pertaining to American politics and culture during this period. The main concentration in this collection deals with national security with respect to the influence of Communism, the Civil Rights Movement, and the counterculture. It is comprised of newspaper and magazine articles, letters, memoranda and other personal documents, U.S. government documents, pamphlets, and other printed materials."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_1a5db7978b0180701aa58c1b36c8b2e3\"\u003e\nR11, C3, S3-S7 - C4, S2-S7\n\n\nR12, C1, S2-S7 - C4, S2-S7\n\n\nOS R7, C2, S1\n\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R11, C3, S3-S7 - C4, S2-S7\n\n\nR12, C1, S2-S7 - C4, S2-S7\n\n\nOS R7, C2, S1"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Civil Liberties Union","Hale Foundation","United States. Central Intelligence Agency","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Internal Security","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities","United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation","United States. Subversive Activities Control Board"],"names_coll_ssim":["American Civil Liberties Union","Hale Foundation","United States. Central Intelligence Agency","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Internal Security","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities","United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation","United States. Subversive Activities Control Board","McCarthy, Joseph, 1908-1957","Walter, Francis E. (Francis Eugene), 1894-1963"],"persname_ssim":["McNamara, Francis J., 1915-2007","McCarthy, Joseph, 1908-1957","Walter, Francis E. (Francis Eugene), 1894-1963"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Civil Liberties Union","Hale Foundation","United States. Central Intelligence Agency","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Internal Security","United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities","United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation","United States. Subversive Activities Control Board","McNamara, Francis J., 1915-2007","McCarthy, Joseph, 1908-1957","Walter, Francis E. (Francis Eugene), 1894-1963"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":2344,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:34:17.521Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_139_c01_c37"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2294","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Albion College Theatre, MI - Productions Photographs, 1951/1953","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2294#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2294","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2294"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2294","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","parent_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521"],"title_filing_ssi":"Albion College Theatre, MI - Productions Photographs","title_ssm":["Albion College Theatre, MI - Productions Photographs"],"title_tesim":["Albion College Theatre, MI - Productions Photographs"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Albion College Theatre, MI - Productions Photographs, 1951/1953"],"text":["Albion College Theatre, MI - Productions Photographs, 1951/1953","Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000","Box 150","Folder 35"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1951/1953"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1951; 1953"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[1],"sort_isi":2294,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"containers_ssim":["Box 150","Folder 35"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"date_range_isim":[1951,1952,1953],"_nest_path_":"/components#2293","timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:01.774Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_521.xml","title_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers"],"title_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1834, 1933-2000s"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1834, 1933-2000s"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1831/2000"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"text":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000","C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521","Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs","Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions.","Many of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information.","The collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center.","Strom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Oliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Riedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","ANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Robert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.","The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.","Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.","Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.","Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.","ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region.","Part of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018.","Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , the , and many other","The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the","The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the","The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).","The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.","R2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"collection_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521"],"unitid_tesim":["C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"geogname_ssim":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"places_ssim":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"creator_ssm":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva"],"creator_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"creators_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["This collection was donated by the trustees of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers in 1988, and Wilva Breen and The Ohio State University in 1989. There were multiple accessions of materials throughout the 1990s. Additional materials were donated by Diana Lawrence and Mike Timoney in 2011."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["80.5 Linear Feet 207 boxes, 1 map case"],"extent_tesim":["80.5 Linear Feet 207 boxes, 1 map case"],"genreform_ssim":["Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"date_range_isim":[1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBox 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBox 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThere are no other access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMany of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternative Form Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Many of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center."],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eStrom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/02/obituaries/robert-breen-80-arts-executive-and-theatrical-producer-is-dead.html\" title=\"https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/02/obituaries/robert-breen-80-arts-executive-and-theatrical-producer-is-dead.html\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-05/news/mn-617_1_robert-breen\" title=\"http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-05/news/mn-617_1_robert-breen\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRiedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://nypost.com/2017/03/28/this-theaters-chaotic-history-includes-a-titanic-survivor-the-tonight-show-and-porn/\" title=\"https://nypost.com/2017/03/28/this-theaters-chaotic-history-includes-a-titanic-survivor-the-tonight-show-and-porn/\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" title=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Strom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Oliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Riedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","ANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.  (accessed December 12, 2018)."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRobert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical and Historical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Robert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.","The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.","Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.","Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.","Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.","ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region."],"custodhist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003ePart of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"custodhist_heading_ssm":["Custodial History"],"custodhist_tesim":["Part of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRobert and Wilva Breen papers, C0004, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, C0004, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSpecial Collections Research Center also holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0145\" title=\"Porgy and Bess poster collection\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0002\" title=\"Federal Theatre Project collection\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0043\" title=\"Robert C. Schnitzer papers\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, and many other \u003cextptr href=\"https://scrc.gmu.edu/collections-subject.php#THEATRE\" title=\"performing arts collections.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://library.osu.edu/collections/spec.tri.rb\" title=\"Robert Breen and Wilva papers.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" title=\"ANTA West records.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , the , and many other","The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the","The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ref348\"\u003eThe Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_ddb931edc4f44bf997d326b2923a7505\"\u003eR2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"names_coll_ssim":["American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"persname_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":3014,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:01.774Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2294"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01_c09","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Alcoholics - Printed Data - General Assembly, 1947/1956","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01_c09#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01_c09","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01_c09"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01_c09","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01","parent_ssim":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979","Series 5: Subject and Miscellaneous Files (Boxes 79-142), 1832/1979","5.1: Subject Files, 1832-1979"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01"],"title_filing_ssi":"Alcoholics - Printed Data - General Assembly","title_ssm":["Alcoholics - Printed Data - General Assembly"],"title_tesim":["Alcoholics - Printed Data - General Assembly"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alcoholics - Printed Data - General Assembly, 1947/1956"],"text":["Alcoholics - Printed Data - General Assembly, 1947/1956","C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979","Series 5: Subject and Miscellaneous Files (Boxes 79-142), 1832/1979","5.1: Subject Files, 1832-1979","Box 79","Folder 10"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979","Series 5: Subject and Miscellaneous Files (Boxes 79-142), 1832/1979","5.1: Subject Files, 1832-1979"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979","Series 5: Subject and Miscellaneous Files (Boxes 79-142), 1832/1979","5.1: Subject Files, 1832-1979"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1947/1956"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1947 - 1956"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[3],"sort_isi":608,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979"],"containers_ssim":["Box 79","Folder 10"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["This collection is housed at the WRLC Shared Collections Facility. Advance notice will be required to access any materials.","There are no access restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated. (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"date_range_isim":[1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956],"_nest_path_":"/components#4/components#0/components#8","timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:06.185Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_596.xml","title_filing_ssi":"C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers","title_ssm":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers"],"title_tesim":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1832-1979"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1832-1979"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1832/1979"],"normalized_title_ssm":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979"],"text":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979","C0094","/repositories/2/resources/596","Virginia -- Politics and government -- 20th century","United States -- Politics and government","Education -- Political aspects -- Virginia","Legislators -- United States","Bills, Legislative -- United States","Transportation","Correspondence","Newspapers","This collection is housed at the WRLC Shared Collections Facility. Advance notice will be required to access any materials.","There are no access restrictions.","Selections from the C. Harrison Mann papers are also available in the .","Charles Harrison Mann, Jr. was born in Alabama in 1908 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1931. He subsequently became an attorney both in Washington, D.C. and in Arlington, Virginia where he and his wife Betty Hart Mann, maintained their home. In 1949, while serving as President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the University of Virginia Alumni Association, Mann organized an exploratory committee of local citizens to develop support for higher education in Northern Virginia. Through these efforts, the Northern Virginia Center of the University opened in October 1, 1949.","In 1953 Mann organized the Advisory Council to the Northern Virginia Center, which agreed that a two-year branch college should be established. Elected as a Democrat to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1954-1970, Mann sponsored a resolution calling for a study of educational needs for Virginia, and was instrumental in recommending the development of a college system in Virginia, particularly the establishment of a branch in Northern Virginia.","Mann was responsible for creating an educational financial assistance program for Virginia college students, and was instrumental in sponsoring legislation allowing local governments to form regional boards to acquire and transfer land and buildings for educational use.","He also served as the Chairman of George Mason College's first Board of Control. He sponsored bills constituting George Mason College as a branch of the University of Virginia and later elevating it to a four year division of the University with the right to grant degrees and offer graduate program. He served on the GMU Board of Visitors from 1975 to 1977. He died in 1977.","Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed in March 2009 by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty, revised by Amanda Menjivar in 2016. Reprocessed by Amanda Menjivar in 2016.","The Special Collections Research Center also holds other personal papers and organizational records on the politics of Northern Virginia as well as the George Mason University archives. In addition, there is the C. Harrison Mann, Jr. collection of rare books and atlases that can be found searching the . as well as the .","Comprises C. Harrison Mann, Jr.'s personal papers and handwritten draft of his history of George Mason University. Papers pertain to his political career and include subject files, memoranda, campaign materials, speeches, newsclippings, maps, and other related materials.","Series 1: Correspondence (1935 - 1971) documents Mann's typed and handwritten correspondence with multiple parties over most of the twentieth century. Notable correspondents include Senator Harry F. Byrd, Judge William Moncure, and Virginia Governor James Lindsay Almond, Jr.","Series 2: General Assembly (1950 - 1970) documents Mann's time in the Virginia General Assembly, and is divided into two subseries. Series 2.1: General Assembly Correspondence. Series 2.2: General Assembly Subject Files, with subjects including the Civil War Commission, Clippings, Education, Insurance, and Schools Data.","Series 3: Career (1945 - 1970) documents Mann's political career, local and national politics, and legislation, and is divided into three subseries. Series 3.1: Speeches, Public Engagements and Press Releases. Series 3.2: Legislation, Congressional Resolutions and Documents, includes documents on bills passed and killed, the Gray Commission and the Perrow Commission (both as a result of Brown v. Board of Education), and Senate and House Bills and Joint Resolutions. Series 3.3: Politics and Platforms, includes documents on various local and national political campaigns, the Democratic Executive Committee, primaries, elections, and special sessions.","Series 4: George Mason University (1958 - 1978) documents Mann's involvement with the founding of George Mason University (G.M.U.) and is divided into three subseries. Series 4.1: Correspondence, includes correspondence concerning G.M.U. during the years 1964 - 1971. Series 4.2: Newspaper Clippings, includes newspaper articles on student housing, new buildings, student protests, and college plans. Series 4.3: Subject Files, includes documents on the G.M.U. Advisory Board, the G.M.U. Broadside Newspaper, the G.M.U. Law School, and pamphlets.","Series 5: Subject and Miscellaneous Files (1832 - 1979) documents numerous subjects and is divided into two subseries. 5.1: Subject Files, includes documents with subjects ranging from civil defense, Communism, mental health, to historical newspapers, newspaper clippings, copies of historical maps, education, and Mann's personal documents. It also includes a large portion on transportation, with documents pertaining to billboards, trucks, highways, traffic safety, and other transportation-related subjects. 5.2: Miscellaneous Files, includes Mann's personal slides collection and political endorsements notecards.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated. (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","Comprises C. Harrison Mann, Jr.'s personal papers and handwritten draft of his history of George Mason University. Papers pertain to his political career and include subject files, memoranda, campaign materials, speeches, newsclippings and other related materials.","This collection is housed at the WRLC Shared Collections Facility.","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","George Mason University","Virginia. General Assembly","Mann, Charles Harrison, Jr., 1908-1977","Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979"],"collection_ssim":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, 1832/1979"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0094","/repositories/2/resources/596"],"unitid_tesim":["C0094","/repositories/2/resources/596"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["Virginia -- Politics and government -- 20th century","United States -- Politics and government"],"geogname_ssim":["Virginia -- Politics and government -- 20th century","United States -- Politics and government"],"places_ssim":["Virginia -- Politics and government -- 20th century","United States -- Politics and government"],"creator_ssm":["Mann, Charles Harrison, Jr., 1908-1977"],"creator_ssim":["Mann, Charles Harrison, Jr., 1908-1977"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Mann, Charles Harrison, Jr., 1908-1977","Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","George Mason University","Virginia. General Assembly"],"creators_ssim":["Mann, Charles Harrison, Jr., 1908-1977","Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","George Mason University","Virginia. General Assembly"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated. (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Collection donated by Betty Hart Mann in 1979."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Education -- Political aspects -- Virginia","Legislators -- United States","Bills, Legislative -- United States","Transportation","Correspondence","Newspapers"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Education -- Political aspects -- Virginia","Legislators -- United States","Bills, Legislative -- United States","Transportation","Correspondence","Newspapers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["85.5 Linear Feet 142 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["85.5 Linear Feet 142 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence","Newspapers"],"date_range_isim":[1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is housed at the WRLC Shared Collections Facility. Advance notice will be required to access any materials.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is housed at the WRLC Shared Collections Facility. Advance notice will be required to access any materials.","There are no access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSelections from the C. Harrison Mann papers are also available in the \u003cextptr href=\"http://digilib.gmu.edu:8080/dspace/handle/1920/7544\" title=\"C. Harrison Mann, Jr. Digital Collection\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternative Form Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Selections from the C. Harrison Mann papers are also available in the ."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCharles Harrison Mann, Jr. was born in Alabama in 1908 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1931. He subsequently became an attorney both in Washington, D.C. and in Arlington, Virginia where he and his wife Betty Hart Mann, maintained their home. In 1949, while serving as President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the University of Virginia Alumni Association, Mann organized an exploratory committee of local citizens to develop support for higher education in Northern Virginia. Through these efforts, the Northern Virginia Center of the University opened in October 1, 1949.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e In 1953 Mann organized the Advisory Council to the Northern Virginia Center, which agreed that a two-year branch college should be established. Elected as a Democrat to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1954-1970, Mann sponsored a resolution calling for a study of educational needs for Virginia, and was instrumental in recommending the development of a college system in Virginia, particularly the establishment of a branch in Northern Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Mann was responsible for creating an educational financial assistance program for Virginia college students, and was instrumental in sponsoring legislation allowing local governments to form regional boards to acquire and transfer land and buildings for educational use.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e He also served as the Chairman of George Mason College's first Board of Control. He sponsored bills constituting George Mason College as a branch of the University of Virginia and later elevating it to a four year division of the University with the right to grant degrees and offer graduate program. He served on the GMU Board of Visitors from 1975 to 1977. He died in 1977.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Charles Harrison Mann, Jr. was born in Alabama in 1908 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1931. He subsequently became an attorney both in Washington, D.C. and in Arlington, Virginia where he and his wife Betty Hart Mann, maintained their home. In 1949, while serving as President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the University of Virginia Alumni Association, Mann organized an exploratory committee of local citizens to develop support for higher education in Northern Virginia. Through these efforts, the Northern Virginia Center of the University opened in October 1, 1949.","In 1953 Mann organized the Advisory Council to the Northern Virginia Center, which agreed that a two-year branch college should be established. Elected as a Democrat to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1954-1970, Mann sponsored a resolution calling for a study of educational needs for Virginia, and was instrumental in recommending the development of a college system in Virginia, particularly the establishment of a branch in Northern Virginia.","Mann was responsible for creating an educational financial assistance program for Virginia college students, and was instrumental in sponsoring legislation allowing local governments to form regional boards to acquire and transfer land and buildings for educational use.","He also served as the Chairman of George Mason College's first Board of Control. He sponsored bills constituting George Mason College as a branch of the University of Virginia and later elevating it to a four year division of the University with the right to grant degrees and offer graduate program. He served on the GMU Board of Visitors from 1975 to 1977. He died in 1977."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eC. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, C0094, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["C. Harrison Mann, Jr. papers, C0094, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed in March 2009 by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty, revised by Amanda Menjivar in 2016. Reprocessed by Amanda Menjivar in 2016.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed in March 2009 by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty, revised by Amanda Menjivar in 2016. Reprocessed by Amanda Menjivar in 2016."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center also holds other personal papers and organizational records on the politics of Northern Virginia as well as the George Mason University archives. In addition, there is the C. Harrison Mann, Jr. collection of rare books and atlases that can be found searching the \u003cextptr href=\"http://library.gmu.edu/\" title=\"GMU Libraries catalog\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e. as well as the \u003cextptr href=\"https://images.gmu.edu/luna/servlet/GMUDPSdps~5~5\" title=\"C. Harrison Mann, Jr. Digitized Map Collection\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center also holds other personal papers and organizational records on the politics of Northern Virginia as well as the George Mason University archives. In addition, there is the C. Harrison Mann, Jr. collection of rare books and atlases that can be found searching the . as well as the ."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eComprises C. Harrison Mann, Jr.'s personal papers and handwritten draft of his history of George Mason University. Papers pertain to his political career and include subject files, memoranda, campaign materials, speeches, newsclippings, maps, and other related materials.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Series 1: Correspondence (1935 - 1971) documents Mann's typed and handwritten correspondence with multiple parties over most of the twentieth century. Notable correspondents include Senator Harry F. Byrd, Judge William Moncure, and Virginia Governor James Lindsay Almond, Jr.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Series 2: General Assembly (1950 - 1970) documents Mann's time in the Virginia General Assembly, and is divided into two subseries. Series 2.1: General Assembly Correspondence. Series 2.2: General Assembly Subject Files, with subjects including the Civil War Commission, Clippings, Education, Insurance, and Schools Data.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Series 3: Career (1945 - 1970) documents Mann's political career, local and national politics, and legislation, and is divided into three subseries. Series 3.1: Speeches, Public Engagements and Press Releases. Series 3.2: Legislation, Congressional Resolutions and Documents, includes documents on bills passed and killed, the Gray Commission and the Perrow Commission (both as a result of Brown v. Board of Education), and Senate and House Bills and Joint Resolutions. Series 3.3: Politics and Platforms, includes documents on various local and national political campaigns, the Democratic Executive Committee, primaries, elections, and special sessions.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Series 4: George Mason University (1958 - 1978) documents Mann's involvement with the founding of George Mason University (G.M.U.) and is divided into three subseries. Series 4.1: Correspondence, includes correspondence concerning G.M.U. during the years 1964 - 1971. Series 4.2: Newspaper Clippings, includes newspaper articles on student housing, new buildings, student protests, and college plans. Series 4.3: Subject Files, includes documents on the G.M.U. Advisory Board, the G.M.U. Broadside Newspaper, the G.M.U. Law School, and pamphlets.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Series 5: Subject and Miscellaneous Files (1832 - 1979) documents numerous subjects and is divided into two subseries. 5.1: Subject Files, includes documents with subjects ranging from civil defense, Communism, mental health, to historical newspapers, newspaper clippings, copies of historical maps, education, and Mann's personal documents. It also includes a large portion on transportation, with documents pertaining to billboards, trucks, highways, traffic safety, and other transportation-related subjects. 5.2: Miscellaneous Files, includes Mann's personal slides collection and political endorsements notecards.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Comprises C. Harrison Mann, Jr.'s personal papers and handwritten draft of his history of George Mason University. Papers pertain to his political career and include subject files, memoranda, campaign materials, speeches, newsclippings, maps, and other related materials.","Series 1: Correspondence (1935 - 1971) documents Mann's typed and handwritten correspondence with multiple parties over most of the twentieth century. Notable correspondents include Senator Harry F. Byrd, Judge William Moncure, and Virginia Governor James Lindsay Almond, Jr.","Series 2: General Assembly (1950 - 1970) documents Mann's time in the Virginia General Assembly, and is divided into two subseries. Series 2.1: General Assembly Correspondence. Series 2.2: General Assembly Subject Files, with subjects including the Civil War Commission, Clippings, Education, Insurance, and Schools Data.","Series 3: Career (1945 - 1970) documents Mann's political career, local and national politics, and legislation, and is divided into three subseries. Series 3.1: Speeches, Public Engagements and Press Releases. Series 3.2: Legislation, Congressional Resolutions and Documents, includes documents on bills passed and killed, the Gray Commission and the Perrow Commission (both as a result of Brown v. Board of Education), and Senate and House Bills and Joint Resolutions. Series 3.3: Politics and Platforms, includes documents on various local and national political campaigns, the Democratic Executive Committee, primaries, elections, and special sessions.","Series 4: George Mason University (1958 - 1978) documents Mann's involvement with the founding of George Mason University (G.M.U.) and is divided into three subseries. Series 4.1: Correspondence, includes correspondence concerning G.M.U. during the years 1964 - 1971. Series 4.2: Newspaper Clippings, includes newspaper articles on student housing, new buildings, student protests, and college plans. Series 4.3: Subject Files, includes documents on the G.M.U. Advisory Board, the G.M.U. Broadside Newspaper, the G.M.U. Law School, and pamphlets.","Series 5: Subject and Miscellaneous Files (1832 - 1979) documents numerous subjects and is divided into two subseries. 5.1: Subject Files, includes documents with subjects ranging from civil defense, Communism, mental health, to historical newspapers, newspaper clippings, copies of historical maps, education, and Mann's personal documents. It also includes a large portion on transportation, with documents pertaining to billboards, trucks, highways, traffic safety, and other transportation-related subjects. 5.2: Miscellaneous Files, includes Mann's personal slides collection and political endorsements notecards."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated. (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated. (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ref3\"\u003eComprises C. Harrison Mann, Jr.'s personal papers and handwritten draft of his history of George Mason University. Papers pertain to his political career and include subject files, memoranda, campaign materials, speeches, newsclippings and other related materials.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["Comprises C. Harrison Mann, Jr.'s personal papers and handwritten draft of his history of George Mason University. Papers pertain to his political career and include subject files, memoranda, campaign materials, speeches, newsclippings and other related materials."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_8c7d8628278bfcd85b59dcb97e9270fd\"\u003eThis collection is housed at the WRLC Shared Collections Facility.\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["This collection is housed at the WRLC Shared Collections Facility."],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","George Mason University","Virginia. General Assembly"],"names_coll_ssim":["George Mason University","Virginia. General Assembly","Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966"],"persname_ssim":["Mann, Charles Harrison, Jr., 1908-1977","Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","George Mason University","Virginia. General Assembly","Mann, Charles Harrison, Jr., 1908-1977","Byrd, Harry F. (Harry Flood), 1887-1966"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":1193,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:06.185Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_596_c05_c01_c09"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976","creator":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I.","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_92.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Alexander Haight family collection","title_ssm":["Alexander Haight family collection"],"title_tesim":["Alexander Haight family collection"],"unitdate_ssm":["circa 1764-1976"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["circa 1764-1976"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1764/1976"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976"],"text":["Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976","C0159","/repositories/2/resources/92","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Sully Plantation","Northern Virginia","Virginia, Northern -- History","Fairfax County (Va.)","Fairfax County (Va.) -- History","Confederate States of America","Daguerreotype","Photography -- Negatives","World War, 1914-1918","Paper money","Account books","Photographic prints","Reproductions","Tintypes","Correspondence","Photographs","Newspapers","There are no access restrictions.","Digitized selections from this collection appear in the  Sesquicentennial Civil War Documents Project  hosted on Mason Archival Repository Service (MARS).","The collection is arranged into three series.","Series\n      Series 1: Correspondence\n      Series 2: Legal and financial documents\n      Series 3: Photographs and ephemera","Fairfax County: Park Authority. n.d. \"Sully Historic Site History.\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/site-history.","Find a Grave. n.d.-a. \"Alexander Haight (1822-1880).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313800/alexander-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-b. \"Alexander Levi Haight (1891-1981).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313806/alexander_levi-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-c. \"Emma Jane Young Haight (1858-1939).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313803/emma_jane-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-d. \"Henry Clement Haight (1859-1936).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313802/henry_clement-haight.","Wikipedia. 2025. \"Sully Historic Site.\" July 20. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sully_Historic_Site\u0026oldid=1301635745#Chain_of_ownership.","Alexander Haight was born on February 8, 1822 in Dutchess County, New York to Quaker farmers Jacob (1782-1862) and Amy Clement Haight (1787-1863). In 1842, Jacob and Amy purchased the property known as Sully Plantation in Chantilly, Virginia, which was built by Richard Bland Lee between 1787-1794, and soon after invited Alexander to leave New York and help with the running of the property in Virginia. After moving to Sully, Alexander married Pheobe (also spelled \"Phebe\") Sweet (1824-1898) in 1845 and finished construction of their new home, known as \"Little Sully,\" in 1851. The couple would go on to have four children. Eldest daughter Margaret Amy (also known as Maggie) was born in 1848 and married Thomas W. Lee in 1873, Stephen Sweet was born in 1857 and married Henrietta Lucas in 1891, Henry Clement was born in 1859, and youngest George Alexander was born in 1867.","Despite belonging to the Quaker faith (also known as The Religious Society of Friends), whose members actively fought for abolition, records indicate that the Haight family used enslaved labor during their time at Sully. Ownership of the property remained in the Haight family, although transferring formally to Alexander's sister Maria and her husband James Barlow in 1852, and remained so throughout the Civil War, during which both Union and Confederate soldiers crossed the property. In 1869, the family sold Sully to Stephen Shear, but most members of Alexander and Phoebe's branch of the Haight family remained in and around Fairfax County.","In 1886, Jacob and Amy's son Henry Clement married Emma Jane Young, daughter of Union Soldier John M. Young (1831-1865), and the couple would go on to have four children of their own: Helen Hill (1887-1977), Elizabeth Barlow [later Hamill] (1889-1974), Mary [later Millan] (1890–1964), and Alexander Levi (1891-1981).","Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. Finding aid updated by Amanda Brent in April 2022.","Collection reprocessed by Meghan Glasbrenner from February-October 2025. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner from October-November 2025.","The Special Collections Research Center holds other collections related to the history of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, such as the Randolph H. Lytton historical Virginia collection.","The Special Collections Research Center also holds other collections related to the Civil War, such as the William Darke Briscoe Civil War diaries collection, and World War I, including the Diary of World War I Red Cross Canteen worker Florence Bishop.","The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I. The collection contains 3 series.","Series 1: Correspondence (1838-1920) includes sent and received personal and professional correspondence, including letters, cards, and postcards. The bulk of the correspondence represents personal communications between members of the Haight family, both with each other and with family friends, including a number of letters sent by Helen Hill Haight during her time volunteering with the American Red Cross during World War I. Additional correspondence includes communications concerning business matters, such as correspondence to and from legal representatives, and a mix of original and reproduction copy letters sent by Union soldier John M. Young during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically by non-Haight correspondent last name. In cases where a member of the Haight family sent a letter to another Haight, and both are already represented elsewhere in the series, letters are arranged alphabetically by the name of the recipient.","Series 2: Legal and financial documents (circa 1764-1948) includes personal and professional legal and financial records, most connected to members of the Haight family, including account ledgers, bank, registered letter, and tax receipts, formal and informal contracts and agreements, and other legal documents created by organizations within Fairfax County. Additional documents include Union Army passes issued to Alexander Haight during the Civil War, Alexander Levi Haight's Fairfax County draft classification card issued during World War I, a New York court summons for Stephen Sweet Haight, a California gold dig payment issued to George Sweet (brother of Phoebe Haight), currency notes, including Confederate paper money, and military orders issued during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically either by last name of the subject or creator of the document or by title of the document.","Series 3: Photographs and ephemera (circa 1850s-1976) includes photographs, personal records, mementoes, and general ephemera created or collected by members of the Haight family. It is further divided into two subseries. Sub-series 1: Photographs (circa 1850s-1960s) includes original and reproduction photographic prints, including daguerreotypes and tintypes, with subjects including Sully Plantation, formal and informal portraits of members of the Haight family, Alexander Haight's prize horse, a portrait of a girl enslaved on Sully Plantation identified as Clio, and various locations and individuals in and around Fairfax County. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation. Sub-series 2: Records and ephemera (circa 1862-1976) includes personal records and mementoes including programs, booklets, newspapers and clippings, poems, manuscripts, postcards, scrapbooks, and general ephemera items. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation and grouped by material type or function.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).","The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I.","R 42, C 3, S 1-2\n\nR 42, C 4, S 1\n\nMap Case 27.2","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976"],"collection_ssim":["Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0159","/repositories/2/resources/92"],"unitid_tesim":["C0159","/repositories/2/resources/92"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Sully Plantation","Northern Virginia","Virginia, Northern -- History","Fairfax County (Va.)","Fairfax County (Va.) -- History","Confederate States of America"],"geogname_ssim":["United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Sully Plantation","Northern Virginia","Virginia, Northern -- History","Fairfax County (Va.)","Fairfax County (Va.) -- History","Confederate States of America"],"places_ssim":["United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Sully Plantation","Northern Virginia","Virginia, Northern -- History","Fairfax County (Va.)","Fairfax County (Va.) -- History","Confederate States of America"],"creator_ssm":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981"],"creator_ssim":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center"],"creators_ssim":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Alexander Levi Haight in 1978."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Daguerreotype","Photography -- Negatives","World War, 1914-1918","Paper money","Account books","Photographic prints","Reproductions","Tintypes","Correspondence","Photographs","Newspapers"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Daguerreotype","Photography -- Negatives","World War, 1914-1918","Paper money","Account books","Photographic prints","Reproductions","Tintypes","Correspondence","Photographs","Newspapers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["7 Linear Feet 7 boxes, 1 map case"],"extent_tesim":["7 Linear Feet 7 boxes, 1 map case"],"genreform_ssim":["Photographic prints","Reproductions","Tintypes","Correspondence","Photographs","Newspapers"],"date_range_isim":[1764,1765,1766,1767,1768,1769,1770,1771,1772,1773,1774,1775,1776,1777,1778,1779,1780,1781,1782,1783,1784,1785,1786,1787,1788,1789,1790,1791,1792,1793,1794,1795,1796,1797,1798,1799,1800,1801,1802,1803,1804,1805,1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigitized selections from this collection appear in the \u003ca href=\"http://mars.gmu.edu/handle/1920/6210\"\u003e Sesquicentennial Civil War Documents Project \u003c/a\u003e hosted on Mason Archival Repository Service (MARS).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternate Form Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Digitized selections from this collection appear in the  Sesquicentennial Civil War Documents Project  hosted on Mason Archival Repository Service (MARS)."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged into three series.\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: Legal and financial documents\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Photographs and ephemera\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged into three series.","Series\n      Series 1: Correspondence\n      Series 2: Legal and financial documents\n      Series 3: Photographs and ephemera"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFairfax County: Park Authority. n.d. \"Sully Historic Site History.\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/site-history.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFind a Grave. n.d.-a. \"Alexander Haight (1822-1880).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313800/alexander-haight.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFind a Grave. n.d.-b. \"Alexander Levi Haight (1891-1981).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313806/alexander_levi-haight.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFind a Grave. n.d.-c. \"Emma Jane Young Haight (1858-1939).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313803/emma_jane-haight.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFind a Grave. n.d.-d. \"Henry Clement Haight (1859-1936).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313802/henry_clement-haight.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ctitle\u003eWikipedia\u003c/title\u003e. 2025. \"Sully Historic Site.\" July 20. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sully_Historic_Site\u0026amp;oldid=1301635745#Chain_of_ownership.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Fairfax County: Park Authority. n.d. \"Sully Historic Site History.\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/site-history.","Find a Grave. n.d.-a. \"Alexander Haight (1822-1880).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313800/alexander-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-b. \"Alexander Levi Haight (1891-1981).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313806/alexander_levi-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-c. \"Emma Jane Young Haight (1858-1939).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313803/emma_jane-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-d. \"Henry Clement Haight (1859-1936).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313802/henry_clement-haight.","Wikipedia. 2025. \"Sully Historic Site.\" July 20. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sully_Historic_Site\u0026oldid=1301635745#Chain_of_ownership."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexander Haight was born on February 8, 1822 in Dutchess County, New York to Quaker farmers Jacob (1782-1862) and Amy Clement Haight (1787-1863). In 1842, Jacob and Amy purchased the property known as Sully Plantation in Chantilly, Virginia, which was built by Richard Bland Lee between 1787-1794, and soon after invited Alexander to leave New York and help with the running of the property in Virginia. After moving to Sully, Alexander married Pheobe (also spelled \"Phebe\") Sweet (1824-1898) in 1845 and finished construction of their new home, known as \"Little Sully,\" in 1851. The couple would go on to have four children. Eldest daughter Margaret Amy (also known as Maggie) was born in 1848 and married Thomas W. Lee in 1873, Stephen Sweet was born in 1857 and married Henrietta Lucas in 1891, Henry Clement was born in 1859, and youngest George Alexander was born in 1867.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDespite belonging to the Quaker faith (also known as The Religious Society of Friends), whose members actively fought for abolition, records indicate that the Haight family used enslaved labor during their time at Sully. Ownership of the property remained in the Haight family, although transferring formally to Alexander's sister Maria and her husband James Barlow in 1852, and remained so throughout the Civil War, during which both Union and Confederate soldiers crossed the property. In 1869, the family sold Sully to Stephen Shear, but most members of Alexander and Phoebe's branch of the Haight family remained in and around Fairfax County.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1886, Jacob and Amy's son Henry Clement married Emma Jane Young, daughter of Union Soldier John M. Young (1831-1865), and the couple would go on to have four children of their own: Helen Hill (1887-1977), Elizabeth Barlow [later Hamill] (1889-1974), Mary [later Millan] (1890–1964), and Alexander Levi (1891-1981).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Alexander Haight was born on February 8, 1822 in Dutchess County, New York to Quaker farmers Jacob (1782-1862) and Amy Clement Haight (1787-1863). In 1842, Jacob and Amy purchased the property known as Sully Plantation in Chantilly, Virginia, which was built by Richard Bland Lee between 1787-1794, and soon after invited Alexander to leave New York and help with the running of the property in Virginia. After moving to Sully, Alexander married Pheobe (also spelled \"Phebe\") Sweet (1824-1898) in 1845 and finished construction of their new home, known as \"Little Sully,\" in 1851. The couple would go on to have four children. Eldest daughter Margaret Amy (also known as Maggie) was born in 1848 and married Thomas W. Lee in 1873, Stephen Sweet was born in 1857 and married Henrietta Lucas in 1891, Henry Clement was born in 1859, and youngest George Alexander was born in 1867.","Despite belonging to the Quaker faith (also known as The Religious Society of Friends), whose members actively fought for abolition, records indicate that the Haight family used enslaved labor during their time at Sully. Ownership of the property remained in the Haight family, although transferring formally to Alexander's sister Maria and her husband James Barlow in 1852, and remained so throughout the Civil War, during which both Union and Confederate soldiers crossed the property. In 1869, the family sold Sully to Stephen Shear, but most members of Alexander and Phoebe's branch of the Haight family remained in and around Fairfax County.","In 1886, Jacob and Amy's son Henry Clement married Emma Jane Young, daughter of Union Soldier John M. Young (1831-1865), and the couple would go on to have four children of their own: Helen Hill (1887-1977), Elizabeth Barlow [later Hamill] (1889-1974), Mary [later Millan] (1890–1964), and Alexander Levi (1891-1981)."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexander Haight family collection, C0159, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Alexander Haight family collection, C0159, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. Finding aid updated by Amanda Brent in April 2022.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCollection reprocessed by Meghan Glasbrenner from February-October 2025. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner from October-November 2025.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. Finding aid updated by Amanda Brent in April 2022.","Collection reprocessed by Meghan Glasbrenner from February-October 2025. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner from October-November 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center holds other collections related to the history of \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/subjects/n79043615\"\u003eFairfax County\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/subjects/1619\"\u003eNorthern Virginia\u003c/a\u003e, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0311\"\u003eRandolph H. Lytton historical Virginia collection\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center also holds other collections related to the \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/subjects/sh85140205\"\u003eCivil War\u003c/a\u003e, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0239\"\u003eWilliam Darke Briscoe Civil War diaries collection\u003c/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/subjects/sh85148236\"\u003eWorld War I\u003c/a\u003e, including the \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0393\"\u003eDiary of World War I Red Cross Canteen worker Florence Bishop\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center holds other collections related to the history of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, such as the Randolph H. Lytton historical Virginia collection.","The Special Collections Research Center also holds other collections related to the Civil War, such as the William Darke Briscoe Civil War diaries collection, and World War I, including the Diary of World War I Red Cross Canteen worker Florence Bishop."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I. The collection contains 3 series.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence (1838-1920) includes sent and received personal and professional correspondence, including letters, cards, and postcards. The bulk of the correspondence represents personal communications between members of the Haight family, both with each other and with family friends, including a number of letters sent by Helen Hill Haight during her time volunteering with the American Red Cross during World War I. Additional correspondence includes communications concerning business matters, such as correspondence to and from legal representatives, and a mix of original and reproduction copy letters sent by Union soldier John M. Young during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically by non-Haight correspondent last name. In cases where a member of the Haight family sent a letter to another Haight, and both are already represented elsewhere in the series, letters are arranged alphabetically by the name of the recipient.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Legal and financial documents (circa 1764-1948) includes personal and professional legal and financial records, most connected to members of the Haight family, including account ledgers, bank, registered letter, and tax receipts, formal and informal contracts and agreements, and other legal documents created by organizations within Fairfax County. Additional documents include Union Army passes issued to Alexander Haight during the Civil War, Alexander Levi Haight's Fairfax County draft classification card issued during World War I, a New York court summons for Stephen Sweet Haight, a California gold dig payment issued to George Sweet (brother of Phoebe Haight), currency notes, including Confederate paper money, and military orders issued during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically either by last name of the subject or creator of the document or by title of the document.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Photographs and ephemera (circa 1850s-1976) includes photographs, personal records, mementoes, and general ephemera created or collected by members of the Haight family. It is further divided into two subseries. Sub-series 1: Photographs (circa 1850s-1960s) includes original and reproduction photographic prints, including daguerreotypes and tintypes, with subjects including Sully Plantation, formal and informal portraits of members of the Haight family, Alexander Haight's prize horse, a portrait of a girl enslaved on Sully Plantation identified as Clio, and various locations and individuals in and around Fairfax County. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation. Sub-series 2: Records and ephemera (circa 1862-1976) includes personal records and mementoes including programs, booklets, newspapers and clippings, poems, manuscripts, postcards, scrapbooks, and general ephemera items. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation and grouped by material type or function.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I. The collection contains 3 series.","Series 1: Correspondence (1838-1920) includes sent and received personal and professional correspondence, including letters, cards, and postcards. The bulk of the correspondence represents personal communications between members of the Haight family, both with each other and with family friends, including a number of letters sent by Helen Hill Haight during her time volunteering with the American Red Cross during World War I. Additional correspondence includes communications concerning business matters, such as correspondence to and from legal representatives, and a mix of original and reproduction copy letters sent by Union soldier John M. Young during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically by non-Haight correspondent last name. In cases where a member of the Haight family sent a letter to another Haight, and both are already represented elsewhere in the series, letters are arranged alphabetically by the name of the recipient.","Series 2: Legal and financial documents (circa 1764-1948) includes personal and professional legal and financial records, most connected to members of the Haight family, including account ledgers, bank, registered letter, and tax receipts, formal and informal contracts and agreements, and other legal documents created by organizations within Fairfax County. Additional documents include Union Army passes issued to Alexander Haight during the Civil War, Alexander Levi Haight's Fairfax County draft classification card issued during World War I, a New York court summons for Stephen Sweet Haight, a California gold dig payment issued to George Sweet (brother of Phoebe Haight), currency notes, including Confederate paper money, and military orders issued during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically either by last name of the subject or creator of the document or by title of the document.","Series 3: Photographs and ephemera (circa 1850s-1976) includes photographs, personal records, mementoes, and general ephemera created or collected by members of the Haight family. It is further divided into two subseries. Sub-series 1: Photographs (circa 1850s-1960s) includes original and reproduction photographic prints, including daguerreotypes and tintypes, with subjects including Sully Plantation, formal and informal portraits of members of the Haight family, Alexander Haight's prize horse, a portrait of a girl enslaved on Sully Plantation identified as Clio, and various locations and individuals in and around Fairfax County. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation. Sub-series 2: Records and ephemera (circa 1862-1976) includes personal records and mementoes including programs, booklets, newspapers and clippings, poems, manuscripts, postcards, scrapbooks, and general ephemera items. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation and grouped by material type or function."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_1a9c21db7465505ff5fd6fb4dd32382c\"\u003eThe Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_cca8c73795be2609e42bfc24f7715bf9\"\u003eR 42, C 3, S 1-2\n\nR 42, C 4, S 1\n\nMap Case 27.2\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 42, C 3, S 1-2\n\nR 42, C 4, S 1\n\nMap Case 27.2"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center"],"persname_ssim":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864"],"names_coll_ssim":["Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":156,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:20.288Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_92.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Alexander Haight family collection","title_ssm":["Alexander Haight family collection"],"title_tesim":["Alexander Haight family collection"],"unitdate_ssm":["circa 1764-1976"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["circa 1764-1976"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1764/1976"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976"],"text":["Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976","C0159","/repositories/2/resources/92","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Sully Plantation","Northern Virginia","Virginia, Northern -- History","Fairfax County (Va.)","Fairfax County (Va.) -- History","Confederate States of America","Daguerreotype","Photography -- Negatives","World War, 1914-1918","Paper money","Account books","Photographic prints","Reproductions","Tintypes","Correspondence","Photographs","Newspapers","There are no access restrictions.","Digitized selections from this collection appear in the  Sesquicentennial Civil War Documents Project  hosted on Mason Archival Repository Service (MARS).","The collection is arranged into three series.","Series\n      Series 1: Correspondence\n      Series 2: Legal and financial documents\n      Series 3: Photographs and ephemera","Fairfax County: Park Authority. n.d. \"Sully Historic Site History.\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/site-history.","Find a Grave. n.d.-a. \"Alexander Haight (1822-1880).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313800/alexander-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-b. \"Alexander Levi Haight (1891-1981).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313806/alexander_levi-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-c. \"Emma Jane Young Haight (1858-1939).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313803/emma_jane-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-d. \"Henry Clement Haight (1859-1936).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313802/henry_clement-haight.","Wikipedia. 2025. \"Sully Historic Site.\" July 20. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sully_Historic_Site\u0026oldid=1301635745#Chain_of_ownership.","Alexander Haight was born on February 8, 1822 in Dutchess County, New York to Quaker farmers Jacob (1782-1862) and Amy Clement Haight (1787-1863). In 1842, Jacob and Amy purchased the property known as Sully Plantation in Chantilly, Virginia, which was built by Richard Bland Lee between 1787-1794, and soon after invited Alexander to leave New York and help with the running of the property in Virginia. After moving to Sully, Alexander married Pheobe (also spelled \"Phebe\") Sweet (1824-1898) in 1845 and finished construction of their new home, known as \"Little Sully,\" in 1851. The couple would go on to have four children. Eldest daughter Margaret Amy (also known as Maggie) was born in 1848 and married Thomas W. Lee in 1873, Stephen Sweet was born in 1857 and married Henrietta Lucas in 1891, Henry Clement was born in 1859, and youngest George Alexander was born in 1867.","Despite belonging to the Quaker faith (also known as The Religious Society of Friends), whose members actively fought for abolition, records indicate that the Haight family used enslaved labor during their time at Sully. Ownership of the property remained in the Haight family, although transferring formally to Alexander's sister Maria and her husband James Barlow in 1852, and remained so throughout the Civil War, during which both Union and Confederate soldiers crossed the property. In 1869, the family sold Sully to Stephen Shear, but most members of Alexander and Phoebe's branch of the Haight family remained in and around Fairfax County.","In 1886, Jacob and Amy's son Henry Clement married Emma Jane Young, daughter of Union Soldier John M. Young (1831-1865), and the couple would go on to have four children of their own: Helen Hill (1887-1977), Elizabeth Barlow [later Hamill] (1889-1974), Mary [later Millan] (1890–1964), and Alexander Levi (1891-1981).","Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. Finding aid updated by Amanda Brent in April 2022.","Collection reprocessed by Meghan Glasbrenner from February-October 2025. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner from October-November 2025.","The Special Collections Research Center holds other collections related to the history of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, such as the Randolph H. Lytton historical Virginia collection.","The Special Collections Research Center also holds other collections related to the Civil War, such as the William Darke Briscoe Civil War diaries collection, and World War I, including the Diary of World War I Red Cross Canteen worker Florence Bishop.","The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I. The collection contains 3 series.","Series 1: Correspondence (1838-1920) includes sent and received personal and professional correspondence, including letters, cards, and postcards. The bulk of the correspondence represents personal communications between members of the Haight family, both with each other and with family friends, including a number of letters sent by Helen Hill Haight during her time volunteering with the American Red Cross during World War I. Additional correspondence includes communications concerning business matters, such as correspondence to and from legal representatives, and a mix of original and reproduction copy letters sent by Union soldier John M. Young during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically by non-Haight correspondent last name. In cases where a member of the Haight family sent a letter to another Haight, and both are already represented elsewhere in the series, letters are arranged alphabetically by the name of the recipient.","Series 2: Legal and financial documents (circa 1764-1948) includes personal and professional legal and financial records, most connected to members of the Haight family, including account ledgers, bank, registered letter, and tax receipts, formal and informal contracts and agreements, and other legal documents created by organizations within Fairfax County. Additional documents include Union Army passes issued to Alexander Haight during the Civil War, Alexander Levi Haight's Fairfax County draft classification card issued during World War I, a New York court summons for Stephen Sweet Haight, a California gold dig payment issued to George Sweet (brother of Phoebe Haight), currency notes, including Confederate paper money, and military orders issued during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically either by last name of the subject or creator of the document or by title of the document.","Series 3: Photographs and ephemera (circa 1850s-1976) includes photographs, personal records, mementoes, and general ephemera created or collected by members of the Haight family. It is further divided into two subseries. Sub-series 1: Photographs (circa 1850s-1960s) includes original and reproduction photographic prints, including daguerreotypes and tintypes, with subjects including Sully Plantation, formal and informal portraits of members of the Haight family, Alexander Haight's prize horse, a portrait of a girl enslaved on Sully Plantation identified as Clio, and various locations and individuals in and around Fairfax County. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation. Sub-series 2: Records and ephemera (circa 1862-1976) includes personal records and mementoes including programs, booklets, newspapers and clippings, poems, manuscripts, postcards, scrapbooks, and general ephemera items. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation and grouped by material type or function.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).","The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I.","R 42, C 3, S 1-2\n\nR 42, C 4, S 1\n\nMap Case 27.2","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976"],"collection_ssim":["Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0159","/repositories/2/resources/92"],"unitid_tesim":["C0159","/repositories/2/resources/92"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Sully Plantation","Northern Virginia","Virginia, Northern -- History","Fairfax County (Va.)","Fairfax County (Va.) -- History","Confederate States of America"],"geogname_ssim":["United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Sully Plantation","Northern Virginia","Virginia, Northern -- History","Fairfax County (Va.)","Fairfax County (Va.) -- History","Confederate States of America"],"places_ssim":["United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Sully Plantation","Northern Virginia","Virginia, Northern -- History","Fairfax County (Va.)","Fairfax County (Va.) -- History","Confederate States of America"],"creator_ssm":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981"],"creator_ssim":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center"],"creators_ssim":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Alexander Levi Haight in 1978."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Daguerreotype","Photography -- Negatives","World War, 1914-1918","Paper money","Account books","Photographic prints","Reproductions","Tintypes","Correspondence","Photographs","Newspapers"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Daguerreotype","Photography -- Negatives","World War, 1914-1918","Paper money","Account books","Photographic prints","Reproductions","Tintypes","Correspondence","Photographs","Newspapers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["7 Linear Feet 7 boxes, 1 map case"],"extent_tesim":["7 Linear Feet 7 boxes, 1 map case"],"genreform_ssim":["Photographic prints","Reproductions","Tintypes","Correspondence","Photographs","Newspapers"],"date_range_isim":[1764,1765,1766,1767,1768,1769,1770,1771,1772,1773,1774,1775,1776,1777,1778,1779,1780,1781,1782,1783,1784,1785,1786,1787,1788,1789,1790,1791,1792,1793,1794,1795,1796,1797,1798,1799,1800,1801,1802,1803,1804,1805,1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigitized selections from this collection appear in the \u003ca href=\"http://mars.gmu.edu/handle/1920/6210\"\u003e Sesquicentennial Civil War Documents Project \u003c/a\u003e hosted on Mason Archival Repository Service (MARS).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternate Form Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Digitized selections from this collection appear in the  Sesquicentennial Civil War Documents Project  hosted on Mason Archival Repository Service (MARS)."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged into three series.\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: Legal and financial documents\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Photographs and ephemera\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged into three series.","Series\n      Series 1: Correspondence\n      Series 2: Legal and financial documents\n      Series 3: Photographs and ephemera"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFairfax County: Park Authority. n.d. \"Sully Historic Site History.\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/site-history.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFind a Grave. n.d.-a. \"Alexander Haight (1822-1880).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313800/alexander-haight.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFind a Grave. n.d.-b. \"Alexander Levi Haight (1891-1981).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313806/alexander_levi-haight.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFind a Grave. n.d.-c. \"Emma Jane Young Haight (1858-1939).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313803/emma_jane-haight.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFind a Grave. n.d.-d. \"Henry Clement Haight (1859-1936).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313802/henry_clement-haight.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ctitle\u003eWikipedia\u003c/title\u003e. 2025. \"Sully Historic Site.\" July 20. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sully_Historic_Site\u0026amp;oldid=1301635745#Chain_of_ownership.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Fairfax County: Park Authority. n.d. \"Sully Historic Site History.\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/site-history.","Find a Grave. n.d.-a. \"Alexander Haight (1822-1880).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313800/alexander-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-b. \"Alexander Levi Haight (1891-1981).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313806/alexander_levi-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-c. \"Emma Jane Young Haight (1858-1939).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313803/emma_jane-haight.","Find a Grave. n.d.-d. \"Henry Clement Haight (1859-1936).\" Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29313802/henry_clement-haight.","Wikipedia. 2025. \"Sully Historic Site.\" July 20. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sully_Historic_Site\u0026oldid=1301635745#Chain_of_ownership."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexander Haight was born on February 8, 1822 in Dutchess County, New York to Quaker farmers Jacob (1782-1862) and Amy Clement Haight (1787-1863). In 1842, Jacob and Amy purchased the property known as Sully Plantation in Chantilly, Virginia, which was built by Richard Bland Lee between 1787-1794, and soon after invited Alexander to leave New York and help with the running of the property in Virginia. After moving to Sully, Alexander married Pheobe (also spelled \"Phebe\") Sweet (1824-1898) in 1845 and finished construction of their new home, known as \"Little Sully,\" in 1851. The couple would go on to have four children. Eldest daughter Margaret Amy (also known as Maggie) was born in 1848 and married Thomas W. Lee in 1873, Stephen Sweet was born in 1857 and married Henrietta Lucas in 1891, Henry Clement was born in 1859, and youngest George Alexander was born in 1867.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDespite belonging to the Quaker faith (also known as The Religious Society of Friends), whose members actively fought for abolition, records indicate that the Haight family used enslaved labor during their time at Sully. Ownership of the property remained in the Haight family, although transferring formally to Alexander's sister Maria and her husband James Barlow in 1852, and remained so throughout the Civil War, during which both Union and Confederate soldiers crossed the property. In 1869, the family sold Sully to Stephen Shear, but most members of Alexander and Phoebe's branch of the Haight family remained in and around Fairfax County.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1886, Jacob and Amy's son Henry Clement married Emma Jane Young, daughter of Union Soldier John M. Young (1831-1865), and the couple would go on to have four children of their own: Helen Hill (1887-1977), Elizabeth Barlow [later Hamill] (1889-1974), Mary [later Millan] (1890–1964), and Alexander Levi (1891-1981).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Alexander Haight was born on February 8, 1822 in Dutchess County, New York to Quaker farmers Jacob (1782-1862) and Amy Clement Haight (1787-1863). In 1842, Jacob and Amy purchased the property known as Sully Plantation in Chantilly, Virginia, which was built by Richard Bland Lee between 1787-1794, and soon after invited Alexander to leave New York and help with the running of the property in Virginia. After moving to Sully, Alexander married Pheobe (also spelled \"Phebe\") Sweet (1824-1898) in 1845 and finished construction of their new home, known as \"Little Sully,\" in 1851. The couple would go on to have four children. Eldest daughter Margaret Amy (also known as Maggie) was born in 1848 and married Thomas W. Lee in 1873, Stephen Sweet was born in 1857 and married Henrietta Lucas in 1891, Henry Clement was born in 1859, and youngest George Alexander was born in 1867.","Despite belonging to the Quaker faith (also known as The Religious Society of Friends), whose members actively fought for abolition, records indicate that the Haight family used enslaved labor during their time at Sully. Ownership of the property remained in the Haight family, although transferring formally to Alexander's sister Maria and her husband James Barlow in 1852, and remained so throughout the Civil War, during which both Union and Confederate soldiers crossed the property. In 1869, the family sold Sully to Stephen Shear, but most members of Alexander and Phoebe's branch of the Haight family remained in and around Fairfax County.","In 1886, Jacob and Amy's son Henry Clement married Emma Jane Young, daughter of Union Soldier John M. Young (1831-1865), and the couple would go on to have four children of their own: Helen Hill (1887-1977), Elizabeth Barlow [later Hamill] (1889-1974), Mary [later Millan] (1890–1964), and Alexander Levi (1891-1981)."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexander Haight family collection, C0159, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Alexander Haight family collection, C0159, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. Finding aid updated by Amanda Brent in April 2022.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCollection reprocessed by Meghan Glasbrenner from February-October 2025. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner from October-November 2025.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. Finding aid updated by Amanda Brent in April 2022.","Collection reprocessed by Meghan Glasbrenner from February-October 2025. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner from October-November 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center holds other collections related to the history of \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/subjects/n79043615\"\u003eFairfax County\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/subjects/1619\"\u003eNorthern Virginia\u003c/a\u003e, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0311\"\u003eRandolph H. Lytton historical Virginia collection\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center also holds other collections related to the \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/subjects/sh85140205\"\u003eCivil War\u003c/a\u003e, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0239\"\u003eWilliam Darke Briscoe Civil War diaries collection\u003c/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/subjects/sh85148236\"\u003eWorld War I\u003c/a\u003e, including the \u003ca href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0393\"\u003eDiary of World War I Red Cross Canteen worker Florence Bishop\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center holds other collections related to the history of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, such as the Randolph H. Lytton historical Virginia collection.","The Special Collections Research Center also holds other collections related to the Civil War, such as the William Darke Briscoe Civil War diaries collection, and World War I, including the Diary of World War I Red Cross Canteen worker Florence Bishop."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I. The collection contains 3 series.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence (1838-1920) includes sent and received personal and professional correspondence, including letters, cards, and postcards. The bulk of the correspondence represents personal communications between members of the Haight family, both with each other and with family friends, including a number of letters sent by Helen Hill Haight during her time volunteering with the American Red Cross during World War I. Additional correspondence includes communications concerning business matters, such as correspondence to and from legal representatives, and a mix of original and reproduction copy letters sent by Union soldier John M. Young during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically by non-Haight correspondent last name. In cases where a member of the Haight family sent a letter to another Haight, and both are already represented elsewhere in the series, letters are arranged alphabetically by the name of the recipient.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Legal and financial documents (circa 1764-1948) includes personal and professional legal and financial records, most connected to members of the Haight family, including account ledgers, bank, registered letter, and tax receipts, formal and informal contracts and agreements, and other legal documents created by organizations within Fairfax County. Additional documents include Union Army passes issued to Alexander Haight during the Civil War, Alexander Levi Haight's Fairfax County draft classification card issued during World War I, a New York court summons for Stephen Sweet Haight, a California gold dig payment issued to George Sweet (brother of Phoebe Haight), currency notes, including Confederate paper money, and military orders issued during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically either by last name of the subject or creator of the document or by title of the document.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Photographs and ephemera (circa 1850s-1976) includes photographs, personal records, mementoes, and general ephemera created or collected by members of the Haight family. It is further divided into two subseries. Sub-series 1: Photographs (circa 1850s-1960s) includes original and reproduction photographic prints, including daguerreotypes and tintypes, with subjects including Sully Plantation, formal and informal portraits of members of the Haight family, Alexander Haight's prize horse, a portrait of a girl enslaved on Sully Plantation identified as Clio, and various locations and individuals in and around Fairfax County. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation. Sub-series 2: Records and ephemera (circa 1862-1976) includes personal records and mementoes including programs, booklets, newspapers and clippings, poems, manuscripts, postcards, scrapbooks, and general ephemera items. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation and grouped by material type or function.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I. The collection contains 3 series.","Series 1: Correspondence (1838-1920) includes sent and received personal and professional correspondence, including letters, cards, and postcards. The bulk of the correspondence represents personal communications between members of the Haight family, both with each other and with family friends, including a number of letters sent by Helen Hill Haight during her time volunteering with the American Red Cross during World War I. Additional correspondence includes communications concerning business matters, such as correspondence to and from legal representatives, and a mix of original and reproduction copy letters sent by Union soldier John M. Young during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically by non-Haight correspondent last name. In cases where a member of the Haight family sent a letter to another Haight, and both are already represented elsewhere in the series, letters are arranged alphabetically by the name of the recipient.","Series 2: Legal and financial documents (circa 1764-1948) includes personal and professional legal and financial records, most connected to members of the Haight family, including account ledgers, bank, registered letter, and tax receipts, formal and informal contracts and agreements, and other legal documents created by organizations within Fairfax County. Additional documents include Union Army passes issued to Alexander Haight during the Civil War, Alexander Levi Haight's Fairfax County draft classification card issued during World War I, a New York court summons for Stephen Sweet Haight, a California gold dig payment issued to George Sweet (brother of Phoebe Haight), currency notes, including Confederate paper money, and military orders issued during the Civil War. This series is arranged alphabetically either by last name of the subject or creator of the document or by title of the document.","Series 3: Photographs and ephemera (circa 1850s-1976) includes photographs, personal records, mementoes, and general ephemera created or collected by members of the Haight family. It is further divided into two subseries. Sub-series 1: Photographs (circa 1850s-1960s) includes original and reproduction photographic prints, including daguerreotypes and tintypes, with subjects including Sully Plantation, formal and informal portraits of members of the Haight family, Alexander Haight's prize horse, a portrait of a girl enslaved on Sully Plantation identified as Clio, and various locations and individuals in and around Fairfax County. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation. Sub-series 2: Records and ephemera (circa 1862-1976) includes personal records and mementoes including programs, booklets, newspapers and clippings, poems, manuscripts, postcards, scrapbooks, and general ephemera items. Items are arranged chronologically by year of creation and grouped by material type or function."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_1a9c21db7465505ff5fd6fb4dd32382c\"\u003eThe Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Alexander Haight family collection contains correspondence, legal and financial documents, account ledgers, photographs, and other materials created and collected by members of the Haight family of Fairfax County, Virginia, including during their time living and working on Sully Plantation, during and after the Civil War, and into the mid-20th century, including during World War I."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_cca8c73795be2609e42bfc24f7715bf9\"\u003eR 42, C 3, S 1-2\n\nR 42, C 4, S 1\n\nMap Case 27.2\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 42, C 3, S 1-2\n\nR 42, C 4, S 1\n\nMap Case 27.2"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center"],"persname_ssim":["Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864"],"names_coll_ssim":["Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Haight, Alexander Levi, 1891-1981","Haight, Alexander, 1822-1880","Haight, Elizabeth Barlow, 1889-1974","Haight, Emma Jane, 1858-1939","Haight, George Alexander, 1867-1920","Haight, Helen Hill, 1887-1977","Haight, Henry Clement, 1859-1936","Haight, Phoebe, 1824-1898","Haight, Stephen Sweet","Sweet, George, 1821-1898","Young, John M., 1832-1864"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":156,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:20.288Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_92"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c180","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Alice Griffin Correspondence, 1952/1958","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c180#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c180","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c180"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c180","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","parent_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521"],"title_filing_ssi":"Alice Griffin Correspondence","title_ssm":["Alice Griffin Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Alice Griffin Correspondence"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alice Griffin Correspondence, 1952/1958"],"text":["Alice Griffin Correspondence, 1952/1958","Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000","Box 15","Folder 12"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1952/1958"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1952 - 1958"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[1],"sort_isi":180,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"containers_ssim":["Box 15","Folder 12"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"date_range_isim":[1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958],"_nest_path_":"/components#179","timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:01.774Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_521.xml","title_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers"],"title_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1834, 1933-2000s"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1834, 1933-2000s"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1831/2000"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"text":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000","C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521","Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs","Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions.","Many of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information.","The collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center.","Strom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Oliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Riedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","ANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Robert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.","The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.","Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.","Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.","Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.","ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region.","Part of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018.","Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , the , and many other","The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the","The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the","The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).","The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.","R2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"collection_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521"],"unitid_tesim":["C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"geogname_ssim":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"places_ssim":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"creator_ssm":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva"],"creator_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"creators_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["This collection was donated by the trustees of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers in 1988, and Wilva Breen and The Ohio State University in 1989. There were multiple accessions of materials throughout the 1990s. Additional materials were donated by Diana Lawrence and Mike Timoney in 2011."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["80.5 Linear Feet 207 boxes, 1 map case"],"extent_tesim":["80.5 Linear Feet 207 boxes, 1 map case"],"genreform_ssim":["Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"date_range_isim":[1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBox 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBox 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThere are no other access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMany of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternative Form Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Many of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center."],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eStrom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/02/obituaries/robert-breen-80-arts-executive-and-theatrical-producer-is-dead.html\" title=\"https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/02/obituaries/robert-breen-80-arts-executive-and-theatrical-producer-is-dead.html\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-05/news/mn-617_1_robert-breen\" title=\"http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-05/news/mn-617_1_robert-breen\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRiedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://nypost.com/2017/03/28/this-theaters-chaotic-history-includes-a-titanic-survivor-the-tonight-show-and-porn/\" title=\"https://nypost.com/2017/03/28/this-theaters-chaotic-history-includes-a-titanic-survivor-the-tonight-show-and-porn/\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" title=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Strom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Oliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Riedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","ANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.  (accessed December 12, 2018)."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRobert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical and Historical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Robert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.","The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.","Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.","Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.","Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.","ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region."],"custodhist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003ePart of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"custodhist_heading_ssm":["Custodial History"],"custodhist_tesim":["Part of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRobert and Wilva Breen papers, C0004, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, C0004, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSpecial Collections Research Center also holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0145\" title=\"Porgy and Bess poster collection\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0002\" title=\"Federal Theatre Project collection\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0043\" title=\"Robert C. Schnitzer papers\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, and many other \u003cextptr href=\"https://scrc.gmu.edu/collections-subject.php#THEATRE\" title=\"performing arts collections.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://library.osu.edu/collections/spec.tri.rb\" title=\"Robert Breen and Wilva papers.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" title=\"ANTA West records.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , the , and many other","The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the","The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ref348\"\u003eThe Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_ddb931edc4f44bf997d326b2923a7505\"\u003eR2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"names_coll_ssim":["American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"persname_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":3014,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:01.774Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c180"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06_c08","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1939/1955","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06_c08#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06_c08","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06_c08"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06_c08","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06","parent_ssim":["American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999","Series 6: Local Transit, 1898/1992"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06"],"title_filing_ssi":"Allentown, Pennsylvania","title_ssm":["Allentown, Pennsylvania"],"title_tesim":["Allentown, Pennsylvania"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1939/1955"],"text":["Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1939/1955","American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999","Series 6: Local Transit, 1898/1992","box 155","folder 12"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999","Series 6: Local Transit, 1898/1992"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999","Series 6: Local Transit, 1898/1992"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1939/1955"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1939-1955"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[2],"sort_isi":1508,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999"],"containers_ssim":["box 155","folder 12"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no access restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"date_range_isim":[1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955],"_nest_path_":"/components#5/components#7","timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:34:21.201Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_14.xml","title_filing_ssi":"American Public Transportation Association records","title_ssm":["American Public Transportation Association records"],"title_tesim":["American Public Transportation Association records"],"unitdate_ssm":["1898-1999"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1898-1999"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1898/1999"],"normalized_title_ssm":["American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999"],"text":["American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999","C0051","/repositories/2/resources/14","Transportation -- United States","Transportation -- United States -- Planning","Local transit -- United States","Federal aid to transportation -- United States","Maps","Transportation","Urban transportation","Photographs","Correspondence","There are no access restrictions.","A selection of documents from the collection are available through the .","Arranged into seven series.","Series\n      Series 1: Committees, 1908-1987\n      Series 2: Meetings and Publications, 1928-1997\n      Series 3: Equipment, Finances, and Statistics, 1927-1992\n      Series 4: Legislation, 1918-1977\n      Series 5: Labor, 1933-1978\n      Series 6: Local Transit, 1898-1992\n      Series 7: Oversize, 1946-1999","The organization that would eventually become APTA first organized as the American Street Railway Association on December 12, 1882, in Boston, Massachusetts.  The initial meetings focused on the price of oats for the horses that pulled transit vehicles, but that focus evolved as more transit companies built electric systems.  In 1905, the group met in New York and reorganized as the American Street and Interurban Railway Transportation and Traffic Association.  To encompass even more modes of electric transit, the group changed its name once again to the American Electric Railway Transportation and Traffic Association in 1910.  By 1932, many of the transit systems relied on motor coaches and trolleys in addition to electric streetcars, so the organization executives chose to be known as the American Transit Association (ATA).  In 1966 the ATA relocated from New York City to Washington, D.C., as a result of increasing reliance on federal funding, especially with the passage of the Urban Mass Transportation Act in 1964 and the creation of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (now the Federal Transit Administration).  The American Public Transit Association (APTA) was created in 1974 when the American Transit Association and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT) merged.  The IRT dated back to 1929 and formally organized on June 7, 1961.  In 1976, the Transit Development Corporation also merged with APTA.  In January 2000 the name of the organization was changed to the American Public Transportation Association.  Despite the various name changes, the mission of the organization has more or less remained the same.  The organization specializes in issues dealing with transit equipment, transit management, and labor issues.  In the 1970s, the organization developed a closer working relationship with the federal government as more and more transit systems became publicly financed.  Today APTA is a leading participant in research and legislation regarding the North American transportation industry and issues relating to it.","Processing completed by Jordan Patty in 2013. EAD markup completed in January 2013 by Jordan Patty.","The Special Collections Research Center holds numerous collections on transportation and planning.","The American Public Transportation Association records consist of material pertaining to the activities of APTA as well as both the American Transit Association (ATA) and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT). Types of materials in the collection include: memoranda, correspondence, reports, legislative information, industry-related information (such as brochures and technical reports), and membership information.","Series 1: Committees includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports created by various committees as well as some subcommittees in APTA and ATA.  The composition of the committees typically included association staff and transit system managers.  The committees largely worked on issues related to equipment and finances with a smaller number devoted to legislation, marketing, and labor issues.  The committees and subcommittees overlap to some extent due to changes in the structure of the association and as a result of changes in transit priorities.  The folders date back to the 1908 and the American Electric Railway Transportation and Traffic Association, a precursor to ATA, but many of the folders consist of committee work from the 1970s.","Series 2: Meetings and Publications includes organizational documents such as the constitution, by-laws, annual reports, and press releases.  There is also correspondence and information on industry group meetings attended by APTA officials.  Officials attended local, national, and international conferences on planning, equipment, and management.  There are also files on meetings held by groups with APTA, such as the Rail Transit Group.  The organizational documents date from the 1920s, but many of the meeting files are from the 1960s and 1970s.","Series 3: Equipment, Finances, and Statistics is the largest series and consists of a wide range of topics on technical and financial issues.  The documents on equipment cover the various vehicles used by transit systems including streetcars, trolley coaches, motor buses, and trains.  In particular there are a large number of files on the testing and technical specifications about the Urban Rapid Rail Vehicle and Systems Program Advanced Concept Train, a joint project undertaken in the late 1970s by both APTA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The financial and statistical files overlap to some extent since there are many files on subjects such as fares and accident claims.  Other statistical files consist of data on route configurations and responses to questionnaires on a variety of topics, such as the use of tires.  Also found in this series are files on specific advisory and technology and advisory boards that existed within APTA.  The files in this series largely date from the 1940s through the 1980s.","Series 4: Legislation contains files on legislation, primarily federal, that impacted the transit industry.  Many of files focus on the attempts by Congress to pass legislation in the 1970s to provide large-scale funding for transit by using revenue from the Highway Trust Fund, which was established in 1956 to finance the construction of the national interstate system. Documents include correspondence, congressional testimonies, drafts of bills, and reports.  There are also several folders that document efforts to fund transit at the state level.","Series 5: Labor consists of reports, correspondence, and legislation on various labor and employment subjects.  In particular there are a large number of files on 13(c), a section of the Urban Mass Transportation Act that allowed unions to dispute federal funding for transit systems if they believed that workers would be adversely affected.  Another large group of documents found in this series are annual reports on wages and working conditions compiled from information sent in by transit system managers.  There are also some files on hiring practices and training.  The files largely date from the 1940s to the 1970s.","Series 6: Local Transit consists of files on transit systems in cities and states in the U.S. as well as some files on international cities.  The files mostly consist of clippings sent in by transit system managers, but there are also maps, pamphlets, reports, and other documents in many of the folders.  There is some overlap between the folders with city titles and the folders with state titles.  For instance, there may be some files on Boston found in the \"Massachusetts\" folder, but in general the folders with the city titles contain the bulk of the information on the transit systems in those particular cities.  For the most part, the clippings document the problems faced by the private transit companies following World War II, and some of the folders contain charts and tables on the transit company failures all across the United States.","Series 7: Oversize contains some issues of the APTA publication Passenger Transport, and there are also two reports: one on the Chicago Transit Authority and another one a planning project in Honolulu, Hawaii.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The American Public Transportation Association records consist of material pertaining to the activities of APTA as well as both the American Transit Association (ATA) and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT). Types of materials in the collection include: memoranda, correspondence, reports, legislative information, industry-related information (such as brochures and technical reports), and membership information.","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Public Transportation Association","American Electric Railway Association","American Transit Association","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999"],"collection_ssim":["American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0051","/repositories/2/resources/14"],"unitid_tesim":["C0051","/repositories/2/resources/14"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"creator_ssm":["American Public Transportation Association"],"creator_ssim":["American Public Transportation Association"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Public Transportation Association","American Electric Railway Association","American Transit Association"],"creators_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Public Transportation Association","American Electric Railway Association","American Transit Association"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Jim Olivetti, Information Center Manager, Department of Transportation, 2000."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Transportation -- United States","Transportation -- United States -- Planning","Local transit -- United States","Federal aid to transportation -- United States","Maps","Transportation","Urban transportation","Photographs","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Transportation -- United States","Transportation -- United States -- Planning","Local transit -- United States","Federal aid to transportation -- United States","Maps","Transportation","Urban transportation","Photographs","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["94 Linear Feet 189 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["94 Linear Feet 189 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Photographs","Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA selection of documents from the collection are available through the \u003cextptr title=\"American Public Transportation records online collection\" show=\"new\" href=\"http://images.gmu.edu/luna/servlet/s/xd3dpv\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternate Format Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["A selection of documents from the collection are available through the ."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArranged into seven series.\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Committees, 1908-1987\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: Meetings and Publications, 1928-1997\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Equipment, Finances, and Statistics, 1927-1992\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 4: Legislation, 1918-1977\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 5: Labor, 1933-1978\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 6: Local Transit, 1898-1992\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 7: Oversize, 1946-1999\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Arranged into seven series.","Series\n      Series 1: Committees, 1908-1987\n      Series 2: Meetings and Publications, 1928-1997\n      Series 3: Equipment, Finances, and Statistics, 1927-1992\n      Series 4: Legislation, 1918-1977\n      Series 5: Labor, 1933-1978\n      Series 6: Local Transit, 1898-1992\n      Series 7: Oversize, 1946-1999"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe organization that would eventually become APTA first organized as the American Street Railway Association on December 12, 1882, in Boston, Massachusetts.  The initial meetings focused on the price of oats for the horses that pulled transit vehicles, but that focus evolved as more transit companies built electric systems.  In 1905, the group met in New York and reorganized as the American Street and Interurban Railway Transportation and Traffic Association.  To encompass even more modes of electric transit, the group changed its name once again to the American Electric Railway Transportation and Traffic Association in 1910.  By 1932, many of the transit systems relied on motor coaches and trolleys in addition to electric streetcars, so the organization executives chose to be known as the American Transit Association (ATA).  In 1966 the ATA relocated from New York City to Washington, D.C., as a result of increasing reliance on federal funding, especially with the passage of the Urban Mass Transportation Act in 1964 and the creation of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (now the Federal Transit Administration).  The American Public Transit Association (APTA) was created in 1974 when the American Transit Association and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT) merged.  The IRT dated back to 1929 and formally organized on June 7, 1961.  In 1976, the Transit Development Corporation also merged with APTA.  In January 2000 the name of the organization was changed to the American Public Transportation Association.  Despite the various name changes, the mission of the organization has more or less remained the same.  The organization specializes in issues dealing with transit equipment, transit management, and labor issues.  In the 1970s, the organization developed a closer working relationship with the federal government as more and more transit systems became publicly financed.  Today APTA is a leading participant in research and legislation regarding the North American transportation industry and issues relating to it.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["The organization that would eventually become APTA first organized as the American Street Railway Association on December 12, 1882, in Boston, Massachusetts.  The initial meetings focused on the price of oats for the horses that pulled transit vehicles, but that focus evolved as more transit companies built electric systems.  In 1905, the group met in New York and reorganized as the American Street and Interurban Railway Transportation and Traffic Association.  To encompass even more modes of electric transit, the group changed its name once again to the American Electric Railway Transportation and Traffic Association in 1910.  By 1932, many of the transit systems relied on motor coaches and trolleys in addition to electric streetcars, so the organization executives chose to be known as the American Transit Association (ATA).  In 1966 the ATA relocated from New York City to Washington, D.C., as a result of increasing reliance on federal funding, especially with the passage of the Urban Mass Transportation Act in 1964 and the creation of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (now the Federal Transit Administration).  The American Public Transit Association (APTA) was created in 1974 when the American Transit Association and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT) merged.  The IRT dated back to 1929 and formally organized on June 7, 1961.  In 1976, the Transit Development Corporation also merged with APTA.  In January 2000 the name of the organization was changed to the American Public Transportation Association.  Despite the various name changes, the mission of the organization has more or less remained the same.  The organization specializes in issues dealing with transit equipment, transit management, and labor issues.  In the 1970s, the organization developed a closer working relationship with the federal government as more and more transit systems became publicly financed.  Today APTA is a leading participant in research and legislation regarding the North American transportation industry and issues relating to it."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmerican Public Transportation Association records, C0051, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["American Public Transportation Association records, C0051, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessing completed by Jordan Patty in 2013. EAD markup completed in January 2013 by Jordan Patty.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processing completed by Jordan Patty in 2013. EAD markup completed in January 2013 by Jordan Patty."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center holds numerous collections on transportation and planning.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center holds numerous collections on transportation and planning."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe American Public Transportation Association records consist of material pertaining to the activities of APTA as well as both the American Transit Association (ATA) and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT). Types of materials in the collection include: memoranda, correspondence, reports, legislative information, industry-related information (such as brochures and technical reports), and membership information.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Committees includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports created by various committees as well as some subcommittees in APTA and ATA.  The composition of the committees typically included association staff and transit system managers.  The committees largely worked on issues related to equipment and finances with a smaller number devoted to legislation, marketing, and labor issues.  The committees and subcommittees overlap to some extent due to changes in the structure of the association and as a result of changes in transit priorities.  The folders date back to the 1908 and the American Electric Railway Transportation and Traffic Association, a precursor to ATA, but many of the folders consist of committee work from the 1970s.            \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Meetings and Publications includes organizational documents such as the constitution, by-laws, annual reports, and press releases.  There is also correspondence and information on industry group meetings attended by APTA officials.  Officials attended local, national, and international conferences on planning, equipment, and management.  There are also files on meetings held by groups with APTA, such as the Rail Transit Group.  The organizational documents date from the 1920s, but many of the meeting files are from the 1960s and 1970s.             \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Equipment, Finances, and Statistics is the largest series and consists of a wide range of topics on technical and financial issues.  The documents on equipment cover the various vehicles used by transit systems including streetcars, trolley coaches, motor buses, and trains.  In particular there are a large number of files on the testing and technical specifications about the Urban Rapid Rail Vehicle and Systems Program Advanced Concept Train, a joint project undertaken in the late 1970s by both APTA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The financial and statistical files overlap to some extent since there are many files on subjects such as fares and accident claims.  Other statistical files consist of data on route configurations and responses to questionnaires on a variety of topics, such as the use of tires.  Also found in this series are files on specific advisory and technology and advisory boards that existed within APTA.  The files in this series largely date from the 1940s through the 1980s.  \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Legislation contains files on legislation, primarily federal, that impacted the transit industry.  Many of files focus on the attempts by Congress to pass legislation in the 1970s to provide large-scale funding for transit by using revenue from the Highway Trust Fund, which was established in 1956 to finance the construction of the national interstate system. Documents include correspondence, congressional testimonies, drafts of bills, and reports.  There are also several folders that document efforts to fund transit at the state level.            \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: Labor consists of reports, correspondence, and legislation on various labor and employment subjects.  In particular there are a large number of files on 13(c), a section of the Urban Mass Transportation Act that allowed unions to dispute federal funding for transit systems if they believed that workers would be adversely affected.  Another large group of documents found in this series are annual reports on wages and working conditions compiled from information sent in by transit system managers.  There are also some files on hiring practices and training.  The files largely date from the 1940s to the 1970s.         \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 6: Local Transit consists of files on transit systems in cities and states in the U.S. as well as some files on international cities.  The files mostly consist of clippings sent in by transit system managers, but there are also maps, pamphlets, reports, and other documents in many of the folders.  There is some overlap between the folders with city titles and the folders with state titles.  For instance, there may be some files on Boston found in the \"Massachusetts\" folder, but in general the folders with the city titles contain the bulk of the information on the transit systems in those particular cities.  For the most part, the clippings document the problems faced by the private transit companies following World War II, and some of the folders contain charts and tables on the transit company failures all across the United States.               \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 7: Oversize contains some issues of the APTA publication Passenger Transport, and there are also two reports: one on the Chicago Transit Authority and another one a planning project in Honolulu, Hawaii. \u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The American Public Transportation Association records consist of material pertaining to the activities of APTA as well as both the American Transit Association (ATA) and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT). Types of materials in the collection include: memoranda, correspondence, reports, legislative information, industry-related information (such as brochures and technical reports), and membership information.","Series 1: Committees includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports created by various committees as well as some subcommittees in APTA and ATA.  The composition of the committees typically included association staff and transit system managers.  The committees largely worked on issues related to equipment and finances with a smaller number devoted to legislation, marketing, and labor issues.  The committees and subcommittees overlap to some extent due to changes in the structure of the association and as a result of changes in transit priorities.  The folders date back to the 1908 and the American Electric Railway Transportation and Traffic Association, a precursor to ATA, but many of the folders consist of committee work from the 1970s.","Series 2: Meetings and Publications includes organizational documents such as the constitution, by-laws, annual reports, and press releases.  There is also correspondence and information on industry group meetings attended by APTA officials.  Officials attended local, national, and international conferences on planning, equipment, and management.  There are also files on meetings held by groups with APTA, such as the Rail Transit Group.  The organizational documents date from the 1920s, but many of the meeting files are from the 1960s and 1970s.","Series 3: Equipment, Finances, and Statistics is the largest series and consists of a wide range of topics on technical and financial issues.  The documents on equipment cover the various vehicles used by transit systems including streetcars, trolley coaches, motor buses, and trains.  In particular there are a large number of files on the testing and technical specifications about the Urban Rapid Rail Vehicle and Systems Program Advanced Concept Train, a joint project undertaken in the late 1970s by both APTA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The financial and statistical files overlap to some extent since there are many files on subjects such as fares and accident claims.  Other statistical files consist of data on route configurations and responses to questionnaires on a variety of topics, such as the use of tires.  Also found in this series are files on specific advisory and technology and advisory boards that existed within APTA.  The files in this series largely date from the 1940s through the 1980s.","Series 4: Legislation contains files on legislation, primarily federal, that impacted the transit industry.  Many of files focus on the attempts by Congress to pass legislation in the 1970s to provide large-scale funding for transit by using revenue from the Highway Trust Fund, which was established in 1956 to finance the construction of the national interstate system. Documents include correspondence, congressional testimonies, drafts of bills, and reports.  There are also several folders that document efforts to fund transit at the state level.","Series 5: Labor consists of reports, correspondence, and legislation on various labor and employment subjects.  In particular there are a large number of files on 13(c), a section of the Urban Mass Transportation Act that allowed unions to dispute federal funding for transit systems if they believed that workers would be adversely affected.  Another large group of documents found in this series are annual reports on wages and working conditions compiled from information sent in by transit system managers.  There are also some files on hiring practices and training.  The files largely date from the 1940s to the 1970s.","Series 6: Local Transit consists of files on transit systems in cities and states in the U.S. as well as some files on international cities.  The files mostly consist of clippings sent in by transit system managers, but there are also maps, pamphlets, reports, and other documents in many of the folders.  There is some overlap between the folders with city titles and the folders with state titles.  For instance, there may be some files on Boston found in the \"Massachusetts\" folder, but in general the folders with the city titles contain the bulk of the information on the transit systems in those particular cities.  For the most part, the clippings document the problems faced by the private transit companies following World War II, and some of the folders contain charts and tables on the transit company failures all across the United States.","Series 7: Oversize contains some issues of the APTA publication Passenger Transport, and there are also two reports: one on the Chicago Transit Authority and another one a planning project in Honolulu, Hawaii."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_faa1e60c83c8659f77ecdee0a39c2732\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe American Public Transportation Association records consist of material pertaining to the activities of APTA as well as both the American Transit Association (ATA) and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT). Types of materials in the collection include: memoranda, correspondence, reports, legislative information, industry-related information (such as brochures and technical reports), and membership information.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The American Public Transportation Association records consist of material pertaining to the activities of APTA as well as both the American Transit Association (ATA) and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT). Types of materials in the collection include: memoranda, correspondence, reports, legislative information, industry-related information (such as brochures and technical reports), and membership information."],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Public Transportation Association","American Electric Railway Association","American Transit Association"],"names_coll_ssim":["American Electric Railway Association","American Transit Association"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American Public Transportation Association","American Electric Railway Association","American Transit Association"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":1799,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:34:21.201Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_14_c06_c08"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2415","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Alley Theatre, TX - Productions Photographs, 1950/1956","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2415#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2415","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2415"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2415","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","parent_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521"],"title_filing_ssi":"Alley Theatre, TX - Productions Photographs","title_ssm":["Alley Theatre, TX - Productions Photographs"],"title_tesim":["Alley Theatre, TX - Productions Photographs"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alley Theatre, TX - Productions Photographs, 1950/1956"],"text":["Alley Theatre, TX - Productions Photographs, 1950/1956","Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000","Box 155","Folder 11"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1950/1956"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1950 - 1956"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[1],"sort_isi":2415,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"containers_ssim":["Box 155","Folder 11"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"date_range_isim":[1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956],"_nest_path_":"/components#2414","timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:01.774Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_521.xml","title_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers"],"title_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1834, 1933-2000s"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1834, 1933-2000s"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1831/2000"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"text":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000","C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521","Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs","Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions.","Many of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information.","The collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center.","Strom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Oliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Riedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","ANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Robert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.","The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.","Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.","Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.","Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.","ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region.","Part of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018.","Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , the , and many other","The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the","The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the","The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).","The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.","R2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"collection_ssim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, 1831/2000"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521"],"unitid_tesim":["C0004","/repositories/2/resources/521"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"geogname_ssim":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"places_ssim":["Helsingør (Denmark)","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)"],"creator_ssm":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva"],"creator_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"creators_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["This collection was donated by the trustees of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers in 1988, and Wilva Breen and The Ohio State University in 1989. There were multiple accessions of materials throughout the 1990s. Additional materials were donated by Diana Lawrence and Mike Timoney in 2011."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Ballet","Theater and society","Theater -- Europe -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century","Theater -- United States","World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the war","Theater programs","Experimental theater -- United States","Theater -- Europe","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Theater","Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["80.5 Linear Feet 207 boxes, 1 map case"],"extent_tesim":["80.5 Linear Feet 207 boxes, 1 map case"],"genreform_ssim":["Theatrical posters","Photographs"],"date_range_isim":[1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBox 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBox 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThere are no other access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Box 35, Folder 12; Box 36, Folder 1; and Box 70, Folder 18 are restricted due to their physical fragility.","Box 89, Folder 8 and 9 are restricted due to personally identifiable information.","There are no other access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMany of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternative Form Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Many of the audiotape reels found in this collection were converted to digital format and are available for use. Please contact SCRC for more information."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection was originally arranged by subject and then topic. Additional accessions were added and arranged in the order they arrived in Special Collections Research Center."],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eStrom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/02/obituaries/robert-breen-80-arts-executive-and-theatrical-producer-is-dead.html\" title=\"https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/02/obituaries/robert-breen-80-arts-executive-and-theatrical-producer-is-dead.html\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-05/news/mn-617_1_robert-breen\" title=\"http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-05/news/mn-617_1_robert-breen\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRiedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://nypost.com/2017/03/28/this-theaters-chaotic-history-includes-a-titanic-survivor-the-tonight-show-and-porn/\" title=\"https://nypost.com/2017/03/28/this-theaters-chaotic-history-includes-a-titanic-survivor-the-tonight-show-and-porn/\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. \u003cbibref\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" title=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/bibref\u003e (accessed December 12, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Strom, Stephanie. \"Robert Breen, 80, Arts Executive And Theatrical Producer, Is Dead.\" Nytimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Oliver, Myrna. \"Robert Breen; Initiated Cultural Exchanges.\" Articles.latimes.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","Riedel, Michael. \"This theater's chaotic history includes a Titanic survivor, the 'Tonight' show and porn.\" Nypost.com.  (accessed December 12, 2018).","ANTA West records (Collection 1965). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.  (accessed December 12, 2018)."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRobert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical and Historical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Robert Breen, born December 26, 1909 in Hibbing, Minnesota, served as the Executive Secretary of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) from 1946-1952, and was instrumental in much of the organization's success, both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Breen had an extensive background in theater. Prior to joining ANTA, Breen founded a theater program at the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as established the Chicago unit for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project with his wife, Wilva Davis Breen. Wilva herself was instrumental in promoting and guiding ANTA's many and varied operations, and getting the organization off the ground. The Breens' apartment home - situated above the Hudson Theatre in New York City, NY - served as ANTA's early headquarters. Davis Breen served as Breen's constant support and collaborator until he passed away on March 31, 1990.","The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was the United States' first national theater and dance organization, in the tradition of European national theaters. Originating in 1935 with a charter from the U.S. Congress, ANTA continued until 1966 when the National Endowment for the Arts came into being. ANTA was responsible for both the presentation of American theater in the U.S. and abroad.","Although officially formed in 1935, ANTA did not begin actual operation until 1946 due to a variety of factors, including the Great Depression and World War II. During the depression, federal funding was funnelled towards the Works Progress Administration's Federal Theatre Project, another national performing arts program. In addition to these setbacks, the ANTA board, comprised of prominent citizens and business leaders from outside the theater community, could not agree on the goals of ANTA. Eventually, Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield, two men with Army and theater backgrounds, took the reins of ANTA and initiated its revitalization. Porterfield and Breen developed ANTA's \"Foundation Plan,\" with the intention of having ANTA become the foundation for and driving force behind the stimulation of growth of American theater. The plan, successfully undertaken by Breen, Porterfield, and Breen's wife Wilva Davis Breen, called for a National Foundation to make loans and grants, insure theater projects against loss, as well as a National Service Bureau to provide technical assistance for acting companies, as well as a national clearing house for theater information. The plan was adopted by the ANTA Board in 1946.","Under the guidance of Breen, ANTA produced several projects in the U.S. with successful results during the postwar years. From 1946 - 1948, ANTA sponsored a series of plays called the Experimental Theatre. Its goal was to \"present new, interesting plays which would not see production on Broadway due to present high costs.\" Admittedly, the plays were \"not necessarily perfect\" but \"worthy of a trial production in a simplified fashion\" according to an ANTA letter offering subscription to the series, which included high profile playwrights and actors. During the late 1940s and early 1950s ANTA sponsored a number of drama festivals across the U.S., featuring well-known actors. ANTA also featured a televised production of short plays for NBC television. With the intention of promoting theater growth in the U.S. and showcasing new talent, ANTA produced, supported, and promoted theater projects all across the United States.","Internationally, ANTA promoted artistic exchange between the U.S. and Europe, and entertained American troops there. This was initiated with a 1949 tour of William Shakespeare's \"Hamlet\" throughout Europe, produced by and starring Breen in the titular role. This tour famously culminated in a performance at Elsinore Castle in Denmark - the actual setting of the play. Perhaps ANTA's, as well as Breen's, greatest success came with the international tour of George Gershwin's \"Porgy and Bess\" (produced with Blevins Davis), which toured from 1952-1956, visiting 89 cities and 29 countries. The opera's performance in the Soviet Union was considered the first cultural exchange post-World War II between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. ANTA also sponsored the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe in 1950, performing in eighteen cities and eight countries. The tour lasted from August to December of 1950 and played to an audience of over 150,000, and was the first international tour of any American ballet company.","ANTA also produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals out of the formerly named Guild Hall Theatre, renamed the ANTA Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s. ANTA West, which grew out of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ANTA in 1957, promoted and facilitated the growth of theater in the Southern California region."],"custodhist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003ePart of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"custodhist_heading_ssm":["Custodial History"],"custodhist_tesim":["Part of the Robert and Wilva Breen papers was donated to The Ohio State University."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the Robert and Wilva Breen papers. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRobert and Wilva Breen papers, C0004, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Robert and Wilva Breen papers, C0004, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Special Collections Research Center Staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Jordan Patty. Reprocessed by Amanda Brent from 2017-2018. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in December 2018."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSpecial Collections Research Center also holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0145\" title=\"Porgy and Bess poster collection\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0002\" title=\"Federal Theatre Project collection\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, the \u003cextptr href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0043\" title=\"Robert C. Schnitzer papers\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, and many other \u003cextptr href=\"https://scrc.gmu.edu/collections-subject.php#THEATRE\" title=\"performing arts collections.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://library.osu.edu/collections/spec.tri.rb\" title=\"Robert Breen and Wilva papers.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the \u003cextptr href=\"https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8fn1762/\" title=\"ANTA West records.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , the , and many other","The Ohio State University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute holds the","The UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library holds the"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization from 1944 through the 1950s. The collection also contains many photographs of theaters and theatrical performances from across the United States, including from Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters and shows, as well as numerous colleges, universities, high schools, and local children's theaters. The bulk of the collection originates from the 1940s - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/).\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ref348\"\u003eThe Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Robert and Wilva Breen papers consists of correspondence, memoranda, newsclippings, photographs, notebooks, and audiovisual materials largely related to the creation and running of the American National Theater and Academy (ANTA), as well as Robert and Wilva Breen's long-term involvement with the organization. The bulk of the collection originates from 1933 - 2000s, with an outlier date of 1834 from an antique newspaper."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_ddb931edc4f44bf997d326b2923a7505\"\u003eR2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R2, C9, S3- C11, S7\nR3 C1 S1 - C2, S5\nOSR3, C4, S4\nMap Case 8.1-8.2, 9.1"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)"],"names_coll_ssim":["American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"persname_ssim":["Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","American National Ballet Theater","American National Theatre and Academy","ANTA (Organization)","ANTA West (Organization)","Breen, Robert","Breen, Wilva","Porterfield, Robert, 1905-1971"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":3014,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:35:01.774Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_521_c2415"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c15","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Alphabetical Subject/Name - C I, 1952/1988","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c15#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c15","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c15"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c15","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02","parent_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02"],"title_filing_ssi":"Alphabetical Subject/Name - C I","title_ssm":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - C I"],"title_tesim":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - C I"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - C I, 1952/1988"],"text":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - C I, 1952/1988","Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997","box 64","folder 5"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1952/1988"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1952-1988"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[4],"sort_isi":1097,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"containers_ssim":["box 64","folder 5"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Some records in sub-subseries 3 (Personnel/staff) contain personal identification information, such as social security numbers. Folders in this sub-subseries must be screened by an archivist before being given to researchers."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"date_range_isim":[1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents note"],"_nest_path_":"/components#0/components#2/components#1/components#14","timestamp":"2026-09-04T00:01:18.787Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_416.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Arena Stage records","title_ssm":["Arena Stage records"],"title_tesim":["Arena Stage records"],"unitdate_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1949/2010"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"text":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints","There are no access restrictions.","to this collection are expected.","The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)","Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.","From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.","The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.","R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"collection_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"unitid_tesim":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"creator_ssm":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creators_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Arena Stage in 2000-2024.","This collection has additional unprocessed accessions 2023.040-C and 2024.088-C, and therefore this finding aid may not be fully up to date. Please contact SCRC for more information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"date_range_isim":[1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"accruals_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eto this collection are expected.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accruals_heading_ssm":["Accruals"],"accruals_tesim":["to this collection are expected."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"http://www.arenastage.org/plan-your-visit/the-mead-center/\" title=\"'Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.' Arena Stage. Accessed February 3, 2016.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n            ","\u003cp\u003e Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e \u003cextptr href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/theater/features/arena51205.htm\" title=\"Richards, David. 'For Arena Stage, a Pioneering Selection.' Washington Post. December 5, 1997\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrom its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's \u003citalic\u003eShe Stoops to Conquer.\u003c/italic\u003e Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDuring the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope.\u003c/italic\u003e \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope\u003c/italic\u003e included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like \u003citalic\u003eKing Lear\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eThe Threepenny Opera\u003c/italic\u003e, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, \u003citalic\u003eOur Town\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of \u003citalic\u003eK2\u003c/italic\u003e, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of \u003citalic\u003eThe Crucible\u003c/italic\u003e at the Israel Festival.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMany now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Arena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes. \u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ec96c412f915842d3012676b73803163\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_22f8958322c3fdee6366a384bb686980\"\u003e\nR 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_coll_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":8332,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-09-04T00:01:18.787Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c15"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c37","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Alphabetical Subject/Name - N, O I, 1951/1980","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c37#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c37","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c37"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c37","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02","parent_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02"],"title_filing_ssi":"Alphabetical Subject/Name - N, O I","title_ssm":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - N, O I"],"title_tesim":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - N, O I"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - N, O I, 1951/1980"],"text":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - N, O I, 1951/1980","Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997","box 66","folder 3"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1951/1980"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1951-1980"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[4],"sort_isi":1119,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"containers_ssim":["box 66","folder 3"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Some records in sub-subseries 3 (Personnel/staff) contain personal identification information, such as social security numbers. Folders in this sub-subseries must be screened by an archivist before being given to researchers."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"date_range_isim":[1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents note"],"_nest_path_":"/components#0/components#2/components#1/components#36","timestamp":"2026-09-04T00:01:18.787Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_416.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Arena Stage records","title_ssm":["Arena Stage records"],"title_tesim":["Arena Stage records"],"unitdate_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1949/2010"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"text":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints","There are no access restrictions.","to this collection are expected.","The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)","Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.","From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.","The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.","R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"collection_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"unitid_tesim":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"creator_ssm":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creators_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Arena Stage in 2000-2024.","This collection has additional unprocessed accessions 2023.040-C and 2024.088-C, and therefore this finding aid may not be fully up to date. Please contact SCRC for more information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"date_range_isim":[1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"accruals_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eto this collection are expected.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accruals_heading_ssm":["Accruals"],"accruals_tesim":["to this collection are expected."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"http://www.arenastage.org/plan-your-visit/the-mead-center/\" title=\"'Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.' Arena Stage. Accessed February 3, 2016.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n            ","\u003cp\u003e Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e \u003cextptr href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/theater/features/arena51205.htm\" title=\"Richards, David. 'For Arena Stage, a Pioneering Selection.' Washington Post. December 5, 1997\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrom its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's \u003citalic\u003eShe Stoops to Conquer.\u003c/italic\u003e Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDuring the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope.\u003c/italic\u003e \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope\u003c/italic\u003e included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like \u003citalic\u003eKing Lear\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eThe Threepenny Opera\u003c/italic\u003e, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, \u003citalic\u003eOur Town\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of \u003citalic\u003eK2\u003c/italic\u003e, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of \u003citalic\u003eThe Crucible\u003c/italic\u003e at the Israel Festival.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMany now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Arena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes. \u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ec96c412f915842d3012676b73803163\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_22f8958322c3fdee6366a384bb686980\"\u003e\nR 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_coll_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":8332,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-09-04T00:01:18.787Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c37"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c39","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Alphabetical Subject/Name - P, Q II, 1951/1990","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c39#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c39","ref_ssm":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c39"],"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c39","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02","parent_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02","parent_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03","vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02"],"title_filing_ssi":"Alphabetical Subject/Name - P, Q II","title_ssm":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - P, Q II"],"title_tesim":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - P, Q II"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - P, Q II, 1951/1990"],"text":["Alphabetical Subject/Name - P, Q II, 1951/1990","Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997","box 66","folder 5"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","Series 1: Administrative records, 1949/2007","Subseries 1.3: Financial papers/personnel records, 1950/2000","Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel/staff, 1951/1997"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1951/1990"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1951-1990"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[4],"sort_isi":1121,"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"collection_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"containers_ssim":["box 66","folder 5"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Some records in sub-subseries 3 (Personnel/staff) contain personal identification information, such as social security numbers. Folders in this sub-subseries must be screened by an archivist before being given to researchers."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"date_range_isim":[1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents note"],"_nest_path_":"/components#0/components#2/components#1/components#38","timestamp":"2026-09-04T00:01:18.787Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_416.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Arena Stage records","title_ssm":["Arena Stage records"],"title_tesim":["Arena Stage records"],"unitdate_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1949/2010"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"text":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints","There are no access restrictions.","to this collection are expected.","The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)","Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.","From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.","The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.","R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"collection_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"unitid_tesim":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"creator_ssm":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creators_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Arena Stage in 2000-2024.","This collection has additional unprocessed accessions 2023.040-C and 2024.088-C, and therefore this finding aid may not be fully up to date. Please contact SCRC for more information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"date_range_isim":[1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"accruals_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eto this collection are expected.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accruals_heading_ssm":["Accruals"],"accruals_tesim":["to this collection are expected."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"http://www.arenastage.org/plan-your-visit/the-mead-center/\" title=\"'Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.' Arena Stage. Accessed February 3, 2016.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n            ","\u003cp\u003e Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e \u003cextptr href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/theater/features/arena51205.htm\" title=\"Richards, David. 'For Arena Stage, a Pioneering Selection.' Washington Post. December 5, 1997\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrom its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's \u003citalic\u003eShe Stoops to Conquer.\u003c/italic\u003e Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDuring the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope.\u003c/italic\u003e \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope\u003c/italic\u003e included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like \u003citalic\u003eKing Lear\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eThe Threepenny Opera\u003c/italic\u003e, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, \u003citalic\u003eOur Town\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of \u003citalic\u003eK2\u003c/italic\u003e, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of \u003citalic\u003eThe Crucible\u003c/italic\u003e at the Israel Festival.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMany now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Arena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes. \u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ec96c412f915842d3012676b73803163\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_22f8958322c3fdee6366a384bb686980\"\u003e\nR 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_coll_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":8332,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-09-04T00:01:18.787Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416_c01_c03_c02_c39"}}],"included":[{"type":"facet","id":"repository_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Repository","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"George Mason University","value":"George Mason University","hits":2018},"links":{"remove":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/repository_ssim.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"type":"facet","id":"collection_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Collection","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"\"The 82nd Congress MUST Abolish the United Nations!\" Korean War flyer, 1951/1952","value":"\"The 82nd Congress MUST Abolish the United Nations!\" Korean War flyer, 1951/1952","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=%22The+82nd+Congress+MUST+Abolish+the+United+Nations%21%22+Korean+War+flyer%2C+1951%2F1952\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Abraham Anson papers, 1939/2005","value":"Abraham Anson papers, 1939/2005","hits":12},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Abraham+Anson+papers%2C+1939%2F2005\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Adams T. Rice papers, 1922/1960","value":"Adams T. Rice papers, 1922/1960","hits":2},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Adams+T.+Rice+papers%2C+1922%2F1960\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Agnes Wolf papers, 1966/2006","value":"Agnes Wolf papers, 1966/2006","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Agnes+Wolf+papers%2C+1966%2F2006\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976","value":"Alexander Haight family collection, 1764/1976","hits":4},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexander+Haight+family+collection%2C+1764%2F1976\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"American Political Items Collectors collection","value":"American Political Items Collectors collection","hits":9},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=American+Political+Items+Collectors+collection\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999","value":"American Public Transportation Association records, 1898/1999","hits":340},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=American+Public+Transportation+Association+records%2C+1898%2F1999\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"American Theatre Association records","value":"American Theatre Association records","hits":5},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=American+Theatre+Association+records\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","value":"Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","hits":72},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Arena+Stage+records%2C+1949%2F2010\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=George+Mason+University"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Armistead L. 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