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Erna Spannagel Tilley Papers, 1920-1975
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Tilley, Erna Spannagel, 1887-1982
- Title
- Erna Spannagel Tilley Papers
- Dates
- 1920-1975 (inclusive)19201975
- Quantity
- 5.53 cubic feet, (12 boxes)
- Collection Number
- MS-028
- Summary
- Erna Spannagel Tilley (1887-1982) was a dedicated supporter of the arts and theater development in Tacoma, Washington. This collection primarily contains materials relating to the founding and development of the Tacoma Drama League and the Tacoma Little Theater.
- Repository
-
Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room, Special Collections & Archives
1102 Tacoma Avenue South
Tacoma, WA
98402
Telephone: 2532922001
nwr@tacomalibrary.org - Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Erna Spannagel Tilley (1887-1982) was a dedicated supporter of the arts and theater development in Tacoma, Washington. She moved to Tacoma with her husband, Homer Tilley, in 1917. She soon became very involved in helping to initiate and develop cultural and artistic organizations in Tacoma. She was one of the founding members of the Tacoma Drama League in 1918 and continued to be an active member for over fifty years. In 1935, she helped to organize the Tacoma Art Association and supported its activities for many years. Erna Tilley wrote several books chronicling the histories and activities of Tacoma organizations and people, including: The History of the Tacoma Little Theatre; Random Impressions of Early Days in Tacoma; Remembrances of Five Notables: Allan Clark, Joseph Washington Hall, Donald Benson Blanding, Thomas Schofield Handforth, Elsa Behaim Nessenson; and Resume: Early History of Tacoma Art Association.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains Tacoma Drama League meeting minutes and financial reports; playbills for shows from the Tacoma Drama League and the Tacoma Little Theater; ads and pamphlets for local theater productions; information regarding the construction of the Little Theater; manuscript and final version of The History of the Tacoma Little Theater; newspaper and magazine clippings relating to Tacoma Little Theater and local theater productions; and photos and photo negatives showing actors, directors and productions. Also included are personal correspondence and family scrapbooks.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
Erna Spannagel Tilley Papers; MS-028; box [ ]; Northwest Room Special Collections, Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma, WA.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Theater--Washington (State)--Tacoma--History
Corporate Names
- Tacoma Drama League
- Tacoma Little Theatre
Geographical Names
- Tacoma (Wash.)
- Tacoma (Wash.)--History