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George Dollinger Pyper papers, 1834-1975

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Pyper, George D. (George Dollinger), 1860-1943
Title
George Dollinger Pyper papers
Dates
1834-1975 (inclusive)
Quantity
44 linear feet
Collection Number
MS 0001
Summary
The George Dollinger Pyper papers (1834-1975) consist primarily of correspondence, scrapbooks, diaries, news clippings, programs, contracts, scripts, broadsides, and scores documenting George Dollinger Pyper's career as manager of the Salt Lake Theatre. Pyper served as manager of the Salt Lake Theatre from 1898 to 1929. He also served as general superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union and as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Some of the materials have been digitized and are available online.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Some original items have been removed and placed in Reserve. Access must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used. Photocopies are available in the collection for research use.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

George Dollinger Pyper (1860-1943) was manager of the Salt Lake Theater from 1898 until its destruction in 1929. Nicknamed the "Cathedral in the Desert," the Salt Lake Theater became an attraction for Pyper at an early age as he watched performances from the top gallery. He received a formal introduction to the theater with his first operatic role in Patience in 1885 and sang as the leading tenor in the Salt Lake Opera Company for the next twenty-five years. His love for the Salt Lake Theater led him to publish a history called The Romance of an Old Playhouse in 1928. The book describes Utah and LDS Church history, the building of the theater, and the events that took place within. After retiring from the theater business, Pyper devoted the rest of his life to working on LDS Church publications and managing the Musical Arts Society.

Pyper was born 21 November 1860, to Alexander C. and Christiana D. Pyper in Salt Lake City, Utah. While growing up there he helped his father raise silkworms, feeding them with food from Brigham Young's mulberry grove, and herded cows in the Sugarhouse area. He attended school in the Sugarhouse and Twelfth Ward schools, and for a short time in Brigham Young's private school. He also attended the University of Deseret and studied law for two years. While attending the university, he met Emmaretta Smith Whitney, the daughter of Horace K. and Mary Cravath Whitney. They were married in the LDS Endowment House on 24 September 1883, and later had two children, Retta and George W. Pyper.

Pyper became a police court clerk in 1875 at the age of fourteen, while his father served as judge, and held that post until 1882, when his father died. Between 1883 and 1890, he was a justice of the peace, performing exactly 100 marriages, and served as an alderman and police judge. Most of his life, however, was devoted to music and the performing arts. In addition to his position in the Salt Lake Opera Company, Pyper was a member of the Tabernacle Choir, touring with them in their 1893 trips to Chicago and San Francisco, as well as managing the 1911 trip to the National Irrigation Congress in New York and the concerts en route. He also sung at hundreds of funerals, was one of early members of the Orpheus Club, belonged to the Philharmonic Society, and was president of the Salt Lake Civic Music Association in the 1930s. His devotion to music and the LDS Church led him to write a book entitled Stories of Latter-day Saint Hymns, Their Authors and Composers (1939) in which he documented the history of many hymns.

In 1890, Pyper became assistant secretary of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society and the secretary of the Utah State Fair organization. These two positions helped him organize Utah's agricultural exhibit at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as well as Utah's exhibit at the Tennessee Centennial in 1897. His activities within his community included being a member of the first Salt Lake Board of Education and the first city library board, a charter member of the Orpheus Club, and a member of the Rotary Club.

Pyper was called to serve an LDS mission--along with Brigham H. Roberts, Melvin J. Ballard, and Edward Midgley--in 1896. The original arrangement was for Roberts to talk and for the others to sing and say the prayers, but before too long they all shared the speaking duties. In 1897 he was appointed to the Descret Sunday School, building up its programs and increasing its membership. In 1918 he became a member of the Sunday School general superintendency, under David O. McKay, and in 1934 he became the general superintendent. While in these offices he helped publish church magazines such as The Instructor. For the LDS Church centennial in 1930, Pyper wrote and produced a pageant called "The Message of the Ages," which was performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The pageant was performed again in 1947 to celebrate the centennial of the first pioneers to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. George D. Pyper died in Salt Lake City on 17 January 1943.

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Content Description

The George Dollinger Pyper papers (1834-1975) consist of documents relating to the personal and professional life of George Dollinger Pyper (1860-1943), manager of the Salt Lake Theater from 1898 to 1929. Some of the materials have been digitized and are available online.

Series I of the collection contains the personal and family papers of George D. Pyper. They are located in boxes 1-9 and date from 1853 to 1943. Correspondence, condolence letters and tributes to Pyper upon his death, as well as invitations and event programs are located in box 1. This box also houses correspondence and biographical information concerning Pyper's wife, Emmaretta Smith Whitney Pyper. Pyper's involvement in numerous social clubs and events, as well as in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is reflected in box 2. Included are invitations, correspondence, newsletters, certificates, membership cards, and news clippings concerning the American Land and Irrigation Exposition, the Salt Lake Rotary Club, the Hot Air Club, and the Deseret Sunday School. A record of marriages performed by Pyper as justice of the peace, and later as an alderman and police judge, during the 1880s is also located in box 2. Box 3 houses poetry, articles written by and about Pyper, and other personal materials.

Also included in Section I are talks and sermons, diaries, day books, and scrapbooks. The talks and sermons are located in boxes 4-5 and are undated. Included are funeral sermons given by Pyper, as well as talks on pioneers, mothers, teachers, education, child development, the historic aspects of Salt Lake City's State Street, humor, and other subjects. Many of Pyper's talks and sermons were given in behalf of the Deseret Sunday School Board, of which he was a member, and are labeled as such. Stories, correspondence, and poetry that Pyper used in many of his talks are also included in these boxes. Diaries and day books are located in box 6. Two scrapbooks, housed in boxes 7-8, contain information on the Salt Lake Theater, federal and state politics, the LDS Church, crime in Utah, and musical and other events. Correspondence, certificates, patriarchal blessings, bills, receipts, and notes concerning Pyper's father, Alexander Pyper, and mother, Christiana Dollinger Pyper, are housed in box 9.

Series II consists of theater materials, particularly those documenting activities at the Salt Lake Theater. They date from 1849-1975 and are housed in boxes 10-68. The Salt Lake Theater was built in 1862 under the direction of Brigham Young and managed by Pyper from 1898 to 1929. Correspondence, financial information, and account books concerning the Salt Lake Theater are found in boxes 10-12. Programs, play scripts, and prompt books used for Salt Lake Theater productions or by performers of the theater are in boxes 13-58. The theater programs, in boxes 13-16A, are arranged chronologically while the play scripts and prompt books are arranged alphabetically. Additional documents relating to the Salt Lake Theater are housed in boxes 59-61. Historical information, a listing of rules and regulations, building structure documents, deeds, materials on the dedication and memorial ceremonies, as well as publications about the theater are in box 59. Documents, including contracts and agreements, testimonials, biographies, rosters, and news clippings regarding performances and performers of the theater are housed in box 60.

One of the most prominent performers of the Salt Lake Theater was Maude Adams. She debuted there as an infant in The Lost Child and later became famous for her role as Peter Pan on New York's Broadway. Correspondence, publications concerning Adams and her various acting roles, a contract, speeches by Pyper about Adams, and news clippings featuring Adams are found in box 62 and date from 1899 to 1945. Also present is a 1975 invitation concerning Adams's induction into the Pioneer State Theater Hall of Fame.

Series II also consists of documents relating to the Salt Lake Dramatic Association, the Salt Lake Opera Company, and theaters outside of Utah. An index of "players," plays, and play dates for the Deseret Dramatic Association, the Walker Opera House, and the Salt Lake Theater from the 1860s-1890s and 1901-1902 is located in box 63. Salt Lake Dramatic Association meeting minutes, as well as tax, stock, and financial information for this organization can be found in boxes 64-65. Box 65 also contains an undated Salt Lake Opera Company record book. Documents related to theaters outside of Utah are in boxes 67-68. The bulk of these materials consists of theater programs from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and other cities. Some of these theaters include the Lyceum, McVicker's, Proctor's, Colonial, Wilkes, Hooley's, and various New York theaters. Box 68 also includes correspondence and news clippings concerning "The Marcus Show" (an international traveling performance group), newsprint pictures of actors and actresses, a picture booklet depicting the character roles of actor Edward Sothern, and unidentified theater record books.

Music files, dating from 1856 to 1948, constitute Series III of the collection. They are housed in boxes 69-80 and include agreements and contracts between the Salt Lake Theater and performers from the Musical Arts Society; correspondence, news clippings, and other documents relating to music groups and individuals in Utah; information on the LDS Tabernacle Choir's founder and conductor, Evan Stephens; materials for the choir's centennial celebration, and tours; and music scores. Boxes 69-72 contain documents relating to the Musical Arts Society. As manager of the Salt Lake Theater, Pyper was responsible for booking performances for the theater. Boxes 69-71 contain contracts, agreements, notes, and some correspondence regarding performances in the theater. They are listed alphabetically by the performer or performance group and include individuals such as Amelita Galli-Curci, Lucy Gates, Josef Hofmann, Vladimir Horowitz, Ignance Paderekski, Will Rogers, and Sousa's Band. Box 72 houses a scrapbook featuring news clippings and programs for many of the individuals and groups listed in the preceding boxes. Documents concerning music groups and musicians specifically from Utah are located in boxes 73-74. Information on the Salt Lake Symphony Orchestra, George Careless, Emma Lucy Gates, Susa Young Gates, H. E. Giles, and John J. McClellan is present.

Materials concerning the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, dating from 1889 to 1947, are in boxes 75-78. Evan Stephens established and conducted the choir from the 1890s to 1916. Music scores and books by Stephens, as well as news clippings on his death and LDS Church history are housed in box 75. The choir's celebration of the LDS Church's centennial in 1930 resulted in the production, "The Message of the Ages, A Sacred Pageant." Programs, announcements, scripts, music scores, and news clippings concerning this event are in box 76. Also included in this box is a centennial celebration booklet, One Hundred Years, written by Pyper and a 1947 program commemorating the centennial held in 1930. In 1911 the choir took a tour, managed by Pyper, of the United States. Correspondence, expense reports, programs, itineraries, news clippings, and a scrapbook regarding this and future tours in the 1930s are in boxes 77-78. The last two boxes in this section contain musical scores and compilations by various authors that date from the 1880s to 1933.

Series IV of the collection consists of religious, civic, and miscellaneous documents. They are located in boxes 81-84 and date from 1834 to 1940. Materials concerning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are housed in box 81. Birthday programs, news clippings, writings, patriarchal blessings, pamphlets, and postcards concerning Heber J. Grant, Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and LDS Church history are included. Box 82 houses documents relating to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition held in 1897. Pyper was a member of the centennial commission representing the state of Utah. Correspondence, a booth register, a list of agricultural entries, Pyper's commission membership certificate, and a ground plan of the exposition's agricultural building are found in this box. Box 83 contains miscellaneous items collected by Pyper such as publications, Salt Lake City election tickets (some listing him as candidate for treasurer and others with Brigham Young for governor), postcards, and guidebooks. Also included is information on sericulture. This section also includes oversize materials, located in box 84. Broadsides, certificates, painting reproductions, and publications are housed in this box. Additional oversize broadsides are located in the Manuscripts Division map case.

Click here to view digitized materials from the collection or visit ArchivesSpace for a container level list of digitized materials.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized in four series: I. Personal Papers; II. Theater Materials; III. Music Files; IV. Religious, Civic, and Miscellaneous Documents.

Separated Materials

Photographs have been transferred to the George D. Pyper photograph collection (P0001), located in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Related Materials

See also the Pyper-Shepherd-Musser family papers (MS 0561), the Salt Lake Theater collection (MS 0541), the David McKenzie papers (MS 0116), the Theater collection (MS 0147), the Maud May Babcock papers (MS 0083), and the John D. Spencer papers (MS 0203).

Acquisition Information

Donated by Dorothy Van Stipriaan in 1969.

Processing Note

Processed by Lisa DeMille in 2000.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Personal and Family Papers

    This series consists of Pyper's personal documents as well as some documents relating to his wife, Emmaretta, and his parents, Alexander and Christiana Pyper. Pyper's personal correspondence is located in box 1, folders 1-9. Biographical information on Pyper and his wife is included in box 2. Other family materials are located in box 9. Of interest are diary entries written by Christiana Pyper concerning the LDS Church exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois, located in box 9, folders 13-14. A record of marriages performed by Pyper as a Salt Lake City judge from 1883 to 1887 can be found in box 2, folder 11. Mining deeds, notes on the Lion House (one-time home of Brigham Young), poetry, and news articles collected by Pyper are in boxes 2, folders 16-19 and box 3. Some of the talks and sermons in box 5 were given as radio broadcasts. The scrapbook in box 7 contains news clippings only, many of which concern Pyper as police judge. The scrapbook in box 8 was found in a disassembled state and contains invitations, passes to events, programs, and information on the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Several of these items concern an Ida M. Savage. Her relationship to Pyper, if any, is unknown.

    • Personal Files

      • Description: Correspondence
        • Correspondence, 1903-1906 located in folder 1. Set of 14 letters and post cards to and from George D. Pyper during the period of 1903 to 1916. Includes letters from February 1903 concerning Pyper's property in Brighton, Utah; correspondence related to a dispute concerning the conduct of Dr. J. M. Tanner of the University of Utah; a letter to LDS President Joseph F. Smith seeking release from his responsibilities for the Juvenile Instructor publication; a letter concerning the death of Whitney Rynders in June 1909; a letter from the Executive Committee of the Deseret Sunday School Union concerning pay for Pyper's service as its secretary; and a letter from Heber J. Grant thanking Pyper for the congratulations upon Grant's call to preside over the Quorum of the Twelve.
        • Correspondence, 1916-1928 located in folder 2. Set of 14 letters to and from George D. Pyper during the period of 1916 to1928. Includes a letter (handwritten and a typed copy) from Heber J. Grant in November of 1916; a thank-you card from Robert R. Anderson and family; a 1920 letter from C. B. Hawley, chairman of War Camp Community Service; letter dated 29 Dec. 1920 on Utah-Idaho Sugar Company from Horace B. Whitney, administrator of his father's estate; letter dated 12 Oct. 1921 on "Council of the Twelve" stationery from John A. Widtsoe concerning the Juvenile Instructor; a letter of 14 June 1922 from James Shesgreen, secretary of the Hot Air Club, inviting Pyper to become a member; letter of 4 May 1925 from Lewis Anderson, President of the Manti Temple to Apostle George F. Richards concerning the sealing of a married woman to President Anthon Lund; letter dated 24 June 1925 from President Heber J. Grant to George Pyper; thank-you card from Robert R. Anderson; letter dated 9 Jan. 1926 at Rock Springs, Wyo., from Charles Kent; letter of 13 May 1926 from Pyper to Arthur Shepherd of Cleveland, Ohio , soliciting a hymn by Shepherd for a new LDS hymn book; letter of 25 Nov. 1927 to Pyper from L. J. Fr--- [unreadable]; letter of 27 Dec. 1927 from Susa Young Gates to Mr and Mrs Pyper; letter dated 14 Oct. 1928 in New York from D. W. Haynes concerning Pyper's published history of the Salt Lake Theatre, enclosing a copy of a letter from Haynes to "Dan." One original letter has been removed and placed in Reserve. A photocopied version is available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the original must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item if being used.
        • Correspondence, 1928-1929 located in folder 3. Set of 12 letters to and from George D. Pyper during the period of 1928 to 1929. Includes letter dated 12 Nov. 1928 from Mahomi M. Young for the estate of Miss A. Lowell of Brookline, Mass., to "Mrs. Russell"; letter of Nov. 1938 from L. A. Jones (?), New York; letter of Dec. 1928 from Janes W. Wade of Tintic Standard Mining Company, and George Pyper's reply; a letter of 4 Dec. 1928 to Susa Young Gates from George Careless, composer of LDS hymns; letter of 5 Jan. 1929 from Pyper to "brother Holt" with thanks for Christmas gift; letter of 2 Feb. 1929 from E. A. McDaniel of Los Molinos, Calif. To George Pyper; letter of 9 Feb. 1929 to the Pypers from John A. Widtsoe and Pyper's reply; letter of 15 August 1929 from President Heber J. Grant to Pyper; letter of 22 Dec. 1929 from a friend in sympathy over the death of George's wife; a letter from 1929 addressed to Genevieve Pyper from a cousin Margaret in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. One original letter has been removed and placed in Reserve. A photocopied version is available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the original must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item if being used.
        • Correspondence, 1930-1933 located in folder 4. Set of 17 letters to and from George D. Pyper during the period of 1930 to 1935. Includes letter dated 19 Jan. 1930 to George and family from [unreadable] letter of 4 Feb. 1930 from A. P. Taylor of the Hawaii Public Archives to LDS President Heber J. Grant, and letter from Grant to Pyper forwarding the same; letter dated 2 April 1930 to Pyper from Lorenzo Sharp, a director of the Salt Lake Federated Musicians; letter dated 19 August 1930 to Pyper from William M. Waddoups, President of the LDS Hawaiian Mission in Honolulu; letter of 25 Nov. 1930 to Pyper from Heber J. Grant, thanking him for birthday gift; letter of 6 Dec. 1930 to Pyper from Heber J. Grant re the new book "One Hundred Years"; letter of 16 April 1931 from Dan Spencer, passenger agent for the Union Pacific Railroad; letter of 30 Nov. 1931 from Heber J. Grant re a birthday gift; letter of 9 May 1932 from Sterling Williams, recorder at the Cardston, Alberta LDS temple; letter 22 Nov. 1932 to "uncle George" Pyper from George D. Preston in Logan, Utah, congratulating him on 72nd birthday; letter of 6 Dec. 1932 from William M. and Olivia Waddoups at the Laie Plantation on Oahu, Hawaii; letter of 16 March 1933 from Walter Ross of Compton, California, with details of his experience of the Long Beach earthquake on March 10; letter of 27 Feb. 1935 from Lillie T. Freeze of Salt Lake City; Christmas card from George D. Pyper for 1935; and letter of 31 March 1935 from Aunt Belle.
        • Correspondence, 1937-1939 located in folder 5. Set of 13 letters to and from George D. Pyper during the period of 1937 to 1939. Includes letter of 27 January 1937 from someone at the American consul in Milan, Italy; letter of 15 July 1937 from David O. McKay, Counselor in the First Presidency, LDS Church; letter of 12 Feb. 1937 from Emily C. Burke in Italy; letter begun 25 July 1937 and written by various relatives at Brighton, Utah; postcard dated Milano 1937 from Emily C. Burke; letter of 6 Oct. 1937 from Emily C. Burke in Milan; letter of 15 August 1938 from George D. Pyper to LDS President Heber J. Grant; letter of 11 August 1938 from Heber J. Grant; letter of 24 October 1938 from Pyper to President Grant and Counsellors on behalf of a deceased uncle, John Liddell, concerning Temple sealings, and President Grant's reply of 3 Nov. 1938; letter dated 6 Dec. 1938 from Heber J. Grant thanking him for a birthday gift; letter of 11 Oct. 1939 from Heber J. Grant; letter dated 30 Nov. 1938 from Emily C. Burke in Milan, Italy; letter of 2 May 1939 from Emily C. Burke in Milan, Italy. One original letter has been removed and placed in Reserve. A photocopied version is available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the original must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item if being used.
        • Correspondence, 1940 located in folder 6. Set of 11 letters to and from George D. Pyper during 1940. Includes letter of 12 Dec. 1940 from Irene E. Staples; Letter of 29 Jan. 1940 from Annie Wells Cannon; letter of 11 Feb. 1940 from Mrs. Ray G. Wood, secretary for the Emigration Chapter of Church History; letter of 12 June 1940 from LDS President Heber J. Grant; letter of 21 Nov. 1940 from "Minnie" (Mrs. Lafayette Whitney) sending birthday greetings; letter of 18 Nov. 1940 from Heber J. Grant; letter 20 Dec. 1940 from Pyper to President Heber J. Grant; letter of 17 Dec. 1940 from Heber J. Grant; letter of 19 Nov. 1940 with birthday greetings from Jack Sears; New year's greetings for 1940 from Charles A. and Grace E. Callis; letter of 19 Nov. 1940 from Richard R. Lyman to the Deseret Sunday School Union Board. One original letter has been removed and placed in Reserve. A photocopied version is available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the original must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item if being used.
        • Correspondence, 1941-1942 located in folder 7. Set of 16 letters to and from George D. Pyper during 1941 and 1942. Includes letter of 8 Jan. 1941 from R. A. Welwood manager at Local Loan Co., and Pyper's reply of 13 Jan. 1941; letter of 20 Feb. 1941 from LDS President Heber J. Grant; letter of 10 April 1941 from Donald B. Goodall, Director, Utah State Art Center; telegram of 10 June 1941 from Willard L. Kimball; letter of 8 August 1941 from President Heber J. Grant; letter from Pyper to Heber J. Grant; letter of 8 Nov. 1941 from Heber J. Grant; letter of 18 Nov. 1940 from Heber J. Grant to Elder Albert Hamer Resier (copy for Pyper); letter of 16 Sept. 1941 from Lester F. Hewlett, president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; letter of 12 Sept. 1941 from Clark Whitney to his father; letter of 23 Nov. 1941 from Hebe Brinton Young; letter of December 1941 from Earl J. Glade; letter of 4 Jan. 1942 from nephew "Bish" in Evanston, Illinois; letter of 7 Feb. 1942 from niece Virginia Blair of Van Nuys, California; letter of 18 Feb. 1942 from Florence J. Robison, President of the South 20th Ward Relief Society, Salt Lake City.
        • Correspondence, 1942-1943 located in folder 8. Set of 10 letters to and from George D. Pyper during 1942. Includes letter of 27 July 1942 from a grandchild in Lima, Peru; letter of 2 March 1942 from niece Virginia Blair, including her poem, "Just sleeping"; letter of 11 May 1942 from "Alexander" of Corona, California, on stationery of the Exchange Lemon Products Company; letter of 10 May 1942 from "Helen" of Glendale, Calif.; letter of 5 May 1942 from "Helen"; letter of 30 June 1972 by Kenneth S. Bennion; letter of December 1942 with holiday greetings; postcard from the Eric Reyberg family in Nice, France; letter of 21 Nov. 1942 from Kenneth S. Bennion; letter of 9 April 1942 (?) from Emily Wells; and letter of 10 Dec. 1942 from Edward Howard and Zelda Davis Howard, including Zelda's poem, "The Optimist".
        • Correspondence, undated located in folder 9. Set of several undated letters to George D. Pyper, many undated. Includes letter; a poem to George from his mother for his birthday in 1910; letter to President Heber J. Grant; 194? Christmas card from John D. Spencer; letter of thanks from Frank Edward Margetts and family for speaking at his wife's funeral (Sept. 1941); letter from nephew George D. Preston, along with his account of his World War I experiences; letter from William Pyper on stationery of Council Bluffs Savings Bank; Note from Mabel Jones on stationery of the LDS Northwestern States mission, Portland, with an article on George Pyper's visit to Portland as Sunday School Superintendent, written by Ione Johnson.
        Six original letters have been removed and placed in Reserve. Photocopied versions are available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the originals must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used.
        Dates: 1903-1943
        Container: Box 1, Folder 1-9
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Condolence Letters Concerning Pyper's Death
        • Sympathy letters after George D. Pyper's death, 1943 located in folder 10. Set of 7 letters of sympathy to daughter Retta (Pyper) Shepherd after the death of George D. Pyper during 1943. Includes letter dated "Tuesday, 26 [January?]-43" to Retta from R--- Hyde; letter dated 22 Jan. 1943 from Mae C. Alder Bird; card from Edith Angell; card from the Deseret Book Company employees; letter of 19 Jan. 1943 from Bertha A. Kleinman of Mesa, Arizona, with a poem, "Death's Angel"; letter of 19 Jan. 1943 from U.S. Senator Elbert D. Thomas to Mrs. Harry (Retta) Shepherd; letter of 26 Jan. 1943 from May broomhead Findlay; letter of 21 Jan. 1943 from Salt Lake City Recorder Ethel Macdonald, forwarding a copy of Mayor Ab Jenkins's resolution of 21 Jan. 1943 honoring George D. Pyper.
        • Sympathy letters after George D. Pyper's death, 1943 located in folder 11. Set of 19 letters of sympathy to daughter Retta (Pyper) Shepherd and others after the death of George D. Pyper during 1943.
        Dates: 1943
        Container: Box 1, Folder 10-11
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: "How Diamonds are Made," Biography of Pyper

        Text of a speech honoring George D. Pyper, apparently meant to accompany pictures. Exact occasion of the presentation is unknown, but is from during George's lifetime after 1934.

        Container: Box 1, Folder 12
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Funeral Services for Pyper
        Set of papers connected to the funeral service of George D. Pyper following his death on 16 January 1943. Includes a list of flowers sent; layout of seating at the service; list of Traffic and Ushering Committee; program for the funeral, including text of an invocation by Elder Albert Hamer Reiser, and addresses by Elder Milton Bennion, Elder Stephen L. Richards, and President David O. McKay.
        Dates: 1943
        Container: Box 1, Folder 13-15
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Tributes to Pyper

        Set of eight documents from 1924 to 1943 of expressions of appreciation for the work of George D. Pyper. Includes an invitation to a program of the Highland Stake honoring Mr. George D. Pyper and other artists of the Salt Lake Theatre, held 21 April 1938; text from 25 June 1924 entitled 'George D. Pyper as a friend' [author unidentified]; letter of 22 Jan. 1943 from the Council of the Twelve to George's daughter, Retta Shepherd, signed by Albert E. Bowen; introduction by Mary Young Burton of George D. Pyper and John D. Spencer at an event of January 1940; text entitled "George D. Pyper, an appreciation," signed by members of the Browsers Club, undated but from 1943 following his death; text of a verse entitled "Tribute," a song honoring George D. Pyper (undated); text of a poem to George D. Pyper by Christie Lund Cole of Spokane, Washington; and a letter of 30 July 1941 to Christie L. Cole from Pyper as Associate editor of the Instructor.

        Dates: 1930s-1940s
        Container: Box 1, Folder 16
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Emmaretta Smith Whitney Pyper, Correspondence and Biographical Information

        This folder includes letters to George D. Pyper following death of his wife, 1929. Set of 13 letters and telegrams to George D. Pyper following the death of his wife, Emmaretta, along with text of an obituary, draft of the program for the funeral, and a news article about the funeral.

        Dates: 1929
        Container: Box 1, Folder 17
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Wedding Invitation and News Clipping

        Invitation card to the wedding of George D. Pyper and Emma Whitney, 24 September 1883; and a newspaper article about the wedding, which was performed by LDS President Joseph F. Smith.

        Dates: 1883
        Container: Box 1, Folder 18
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Invitations and Event Programs
        Dates: 1893-1942
        Container: Box 1, Folder 19-20
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: American Land and Irrigation Exposition, Opening Invitation
        Dates: 1911
        Container: Box 2, Folder 1
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Salt Lake Rotary Club

        Included are correspondence, poetry, editions of, and notes.

        Dates: 1927-1934; 1943
        Container: Box 2, Folder 2-4
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Hot Air Club, Annual Clam Bake Programs
        Dates: 1923-1924; 1926
        Container: Box 2, Folder 5
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Deseret Sunday School, News Clippings
        Dates: 1930s-1940s
        Container: Box 2, Folder 6
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Income Tax Return Worksheet
        Dates: 1918
        Container: Box 2, Folder 7
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Certificates

        These concern Pyper's activities in the LDS Church and Utah communities. Some correspondence is also included.

        Dates: 1881-1898
        Container: Box 2, Folder 8-9
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Membership Cards for Salt Lake Clubs and Organizations
        Dates: 1902-1942
        Container: Box 2, Folder 10
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Record of Marriages Performed by Pyper
        Dates: 1883-1887
        Container: Box 2, Folder 11
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Passport
        Dates: 1937
        Container: Box 2, Folder 12
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: House Mortgage
        Dates: 1922
        Container: Box 2, Folder 13
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Evan Stephen's Estate Agreement
        Dates: 1931
        Container: Box 2, Folder 14
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Trip to Europe

        This folder houses correspondence and food menus.

        Dates: 1937
        Container: Box 2, Folder 15
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Mining Deeds
        Dates: 1870s; 1915; 1917; 1926
        Container: Box 2, Folder 16-17
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Lion House History, Notes
        Container: Box 2, Folder 18
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Accounts of Administration to the Sick
        Dates: 1888; 1891
        Container: Box 2, Folder 19
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: "India," Draft
        Container: Box 3, Folder 1
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Poetry Collected by Pyper
        Container: Box 3, Folder 2-3
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Articles Written by Pyper
        Dates: 1930s-1940s
        Container: Box 3, Folder 4
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: News Articles Concerning Pyper
        Dates: 1930s-1940s
        Container: Box 3, Folder 5-6
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Miscellaneous
        Container: Box 3, Folder 7
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Talks and Sermons
        Container: Box 4
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Talks and Sermons
        Container: Box 5
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Diaries
        • George D. Pyper's diary, 1880 to 1892 is located in folder 1. George D. Pyper's diary begun 1880, including expenses, memos of activities and appointments, notes on births and marriages. Many pages blank, but also includes entries from April 1885, January 1887, November 1888, September 1889, November and December of 1886, and December 1891, New Years 1892.
        • Christiana Pyper's diary, 1890 to 1901 is located in folder 2. Pocket diary of Christiana (Dollinger) Pyper, mother of George D. Pyper, printed in but used in 1890 to 1901 to record activities, including New Years observances, work at the Logan Temple, etc.
        Dates: 1886-1892
        Container: Box 6, Folder 1-2
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Diary

        George D. Pyper missionary diary, 1896-1897. Book containing George D. Pyper missionary diary, commenced June 12, 1896. Includes maps, newspaper articles, announcements of his public presentations with his companion, B. H. Roberts. They visited Kansas City, Saint Louis (where he heard William Jennings Bryan lecture), Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York, and elsewhere. The last entries are from April of 1897, when he arrived in Tennessee to be in charge of Utah's exhibit at the Tennessee centennial. Also includes an obituary for his uncle, James M. Pyper, who died on 20 March 1897.

        Dates: 1896-1897
        Container: Box 6, Volume 1
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Day Books
        Dates: 1880s-1890s; 1942
        Container: Box 6, Folder 3-6
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Description: Scrapbook

        This scrapbook contains news clippings concerning performances and performers at the Salt Lake Theater, federal and state politics, the LDS Church, arrests of various individuals in Utah for unlawful or immoral acts, minorities in the United States, and musical events. Many of the articles regarding crime involved Pyper as judge or an interested party. Also included are two posters announcing Utah's Territorial Fair in 1894.

        Dates: 1880s-1920s
        Container: Box 7
        Location: Personal and Family Papers / Personal Files
      • Scrapbook, 1890s-1915

        This scrapbook was found in a disassembled state. Because there did not seem to be an original order, like materials have been grouped together.

    • Pyper Family

  • Theater Materials

    This series focuses on the Salt Lake Theater but also includes materials pertaining to Maude Adams, the Salt Lake Dramatic Association, the Salt Lake Opera Company, and theaters and performers throughout the United States. Boxes 13-58 contain programs, scripts, or prompt books that are arranged alphabetically. Some are also signed by actress Julia Dean Hayne, including scripts for (1849) located in box 17, folders 5-7. Box 60, folders 3-4 contain testimonials to Pyper by those who attended the first dramatic performance in the theater. Many of these were used in Pyper's book, (1928). Correspondence, notes, and drafts of this book are in box 59, folders 8-12. News clippings concerning the destruction of the Salt Lake Theater are located in box 60, folder 15. Information on Maude Adams's performances is in box 62. Folder 6 of that box contains a publication concerning her role as the first Peter Pan. Programs, news clippings, and pictures of other famous actors, actresses, and theaters in the United States are listed alphabetically in boxes 67-68.

    • Salt Lake Theater

      • Description: Correspondence
        • Salt Lake Theatre correspondence, 1873-1912 located in folder 1. Set of 12 letters related to the Salt Lake Theater and its manager, George Pyper. Includes: Letter of 2 April 1873 from Spencer Clawson in New York to his father, Hiram B. Clawson, about the furnishing of the new Salt Lake Theatre; letter of 25 Feb. 1886 from Charles Frohman and William W. Randall of New York about their new agency, Randall's Theatrical Bureau; letter 0f 12 June 1891 from James E. Moore of Denver to a Mr. Miller; memorandum of 5 March 1912 regarding proposed improvements to the Theatre corner; report dated 19 Dec. 1901 by a committee to consider improvements for the Salt Lake Theatre; letter of 28 Dec. 1901 from employees of the Salt Lake Dramatic Association to their manager, George D. Pyper with Christmas greetings; letter of 18 Oct. 1905 from Asenath Ann ("Annie") Adams to George Pyper, and Pyper's reply of 24 Oct. 1905; letter of 10 August 1905 from Jefferson De Briyelin (?) of Yonkers, N.Y. to George Pyper; letter of 19 June 1905 from Pyper to Hiram B. Clawson soliciting information on the history of the theater; letter of 6 July from Pyper to T. A. Clawson, son of Hiram B. Clawson; letter of 11 July 1905 from Pyper to Lincoln J. Carter of Chicago, thanking him for his sharing of experiences related to the Salt Lake Theatre.
        • Salt Lake Theatre correspondence, 1909-1911 located in folder 2. Set of 18 letters and telegrams to and from George D. Pyper, manager of the Salt Lake Theatre, many of which concern a legislative proposal to ban Sunday theater performances. Includes: note of 24 Feb. 1909 from Pyper to David Warfield; two telegrams of 29 Dec. 1909 between Pyper and Klaw and Erlanger (theater agents) in New York City; not of 24 Feb. 1909 from Pyper to Miss Rose Stahl; letter of 8 Feb. 1909 from Pyper to (unidentified "madam"); letter of 23 Feb. 1909 from John Cort of the Northwestern Theatrical Association to Klaw and Erlanger; letter of 16 Feb. 1909 from William Faversham of Washington, D.C., to George D. Pyper; letter of 14 Feb. 1909 from Blanche Bates of New York to Pyper and his reply of 24 Feb. 1909; note of 1 March 1909 from Klan & Erlanger of New York to Pyper concerning his publication of a letter by David Warfield in the Deseret News about the Sunday closure proposal, and his reply of 8 March 1909; letter of 14 Feb. 1909 from Ada Dwyer of New York to Pyper, and his reply of 24 Feb. 1909; letter of 13 Feb. 1909 from David Warfield to Pyper, and its reprint in the Deseret News on 20 Feb. 1909 under the headline, "what actors say regarding closing theatres on Sunday"; telegram of 24 March 1911 from Pyper to Klay and Erlanger, their reply of 25 March 1911, and Pyper's follow-up of 28 March 1911.
        • Salt Lake Theatre correspondence, 1917-1929 located in folder 3. Set of 26 letters, telegrams, and other documents related to the Salt Lake Theater and its manager, George Pyper. Includes: letter of 27 June 1917 from George D. Pyper to Mr. Lorenzo Sharp, secretary of the Salt Lake Federated Musicians; Letter of 18 June 1917 from Lorenzo Sharp, secretary of the Salt Lake Federated Musicians, to Mr. Coop, along with two invoices for payment sought; letter of 19 Feb. 1918 from Lorenzo Sharp, secretary of the Salt Lake Federated Musicians, to George Pyper; letter of 14 March 1918 from William H. Swanson, President of the Swanson Theatre Circuit, to George Pyper, and Pyper's reply of 11 April 1918; letter of 16 May 1918 from Dan Spencer, passenger agent at the Union Pacific Railroad, to George Pyper, forwarding a letter from Sam Meyers with an obituary for theater manager Marcus Mayer, and Pyper's reply of 18 May 1918; letter of 13 Dec. 1920 from Pyper to the Board of Directors of the Salt Lake Oratorio Society, tendering his resignation as President; letter of 9 June 1921 from Pyper to LDS President Heber J. Grant regarding financial problems at the Salt Lake Theatre; letter of 8 Dec. 1926 from Heber J. Grant to George D. Pyper; letter of 31 Jan. 1928 from S. S. Eccles, secretary of the Eccles Investment Company in Ogden, Utah, to George D. Pyper; letter of 10 March 1928 from Ollie Alger, business manager at Henry Miller's Theatre in New York City; letter of August 1928 from Pyper to Orson John Hyde, manager of Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company, resigning as manager of the Salt Lake Theatre; Letter of 9 August 1928 to Orson J. Hyde, with a memorandum of theatre expenses; letter of 20 Nov. 1928 to Orson J. Hyde, conveying a final memorandum of the Salt Lake Theatre account; letter of 12 Aug. 1928 from D. W. Haynes of New York City, sending a news article; letter of 22 Aug. 1928 from Pyper to A. L. Erlanger Exchange in New York City; letter of 31 Aug. 1928 from Steve Newman of Los Angeles to Pyper, and Pyper's reply of 9 Nov. 1928; letter of 29 Aug. 1928 from B. Roland Lewis to George Pyper; telegram of 27 Sept. 1928 from Heber M. Wells to George Pyper; letter of 6 Oct. 1928 from George Pyper to Otis Skinner of New York City; letter of 15 Feb. 1929 from Otis Skinner to George Pyper; letter of 15 Oct. 1928 from Otis Skinner to George Pyper.
        • Salt Lake Theatre correspondence, 1928 located in folder 4. Set of 28 letters and telegrams related to the closing of the Salt Lake Theatre, including: letter of 18 Oct. 1928 from Mabel Young Sanborn to George Pyper; telegram of 20 Oct. 1928 from Sallie Fisher Houghton to George Pyper; telegram of 20 Oct. 1928 from Blanche Bates to George Pyper; letter of 28 Nov. 1928 from Frank K. Arnold, Salt Lake City license assessor and collector, to Charles N. Fehr, city commissioner of public affairs and finance; letter of 4 Dec. 1928 from Ethel Macdonald, Salt Lake City Recorder, to the Salt Lake Dramatic Association; letter of 22 Nov. 1928 from George D. Pyper to Aaron W. Tracy of Weber College in response to Tracy's undated letter; telegram from 1928 from George Pyper to an actor, asking him to play a role in the final performance in October of 1928; telegram of 3 Oct. 1928 from Pyper to M. Witmark and Sons of New York; note of 31 March 1928 from Pyper to Ralph Cloninger in Holywood; letter of 21 July 1928 from Pyper to Ralph Cloninger in Holywood; two telegrams of 28 July 1928 from Ralph Cloninger to George Pyper; telegram of 1 August 1928 from Ralph Cloninger to Pyper; undated letter from George Pyper to Ralph Cloninger; letter of 8 Oct. 1928 from Charles T. Husbands to Geoge Pyper; letter of 6 Sept. 1928 from John Cort of New York City to George Pyper; letter of 8 Oct. 1928 from Pyper to Ethel Barrymore of New York City; letter of 22 Aug. 1928 from Pyper to Jules Murry of New York City; telegram of 2 Aug. 1928 from Pyper to Ralph Cloninger; telegram of 2 Aug. 1928 from Pyper to Lee Shubert; telegram of 2 Aug. 1928 from Pyper to A. L. Erlanger; letter of 6 Oct. 1928 from Pyper to Maude Adams; letter of 30 Oct. 1928 from Blanche McKay of Ogden to George Pyper, including her poem about the Salt Lake Theatre, "The House of Dreams"; letter of 7 Nov. 1928 from Dan Spencer to George Pyper; letter of 28 (?) Nov. 1928 from James Neill of Glendale, Calif., to George Pyper; letter of 27 Nov. 1928 from Ada (Russell) in Brookline, Mass., to George Pyper; letter of 15 Nov. 1928 from Ada (Russell) in Brookline, Mass., to George Pyper and John Spencer; transcript of a letter of 6 Nov. 1928 from A. C. Moulton to Mrs. (Ada) Russell of Brookline, Mass.; letter of 28 Nov. 1928 from the Theatre Memorial Tablet Committee to Orson J. Hyde; letter of 24 Dec. 19028 from A. C. Badger to the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.
        • Salt Lake Theatre correspondence, 1929-1932 located in folder 5. Set of 12 letters related to the Salt Lake Theatre, including: letter of 4 Jan. 1929 from George D. Pyper to Philip Rhodes Thorn of New York City in response to his letter of 19 Dec. 1928; letter of 5 Jan. 1929 from Pyper to James Neill, in response to Neill's letter from Nov. 1928; letter of 13 April 1929 from Sidney Smith in New York to George Pyper; letter dated 10 May 1929 from Laura Beebe to Georg Pyper, including a poem, "The Old Playhouse"; letter of 17 Oct. 1929 from William B. Gross of San Diego to George Pyper; letter of 19 Dec. 1929 from Cleora Thompson of Seattle, Wash., to her uncle, George Pyper; letter of 1 April 1929 from Bruce Quisenberry, manager for Will Rogers; undated and unsigned statement about the Salt Lake Theatre; letter from Orson John Hyde to George Pyper, conveying amount due to the Salt Lake Dramatic Association; letter of 5 Jan. 1930 from William B. Gross of San Diego to George Pyper; letter of 5 August 1930 from Frank Sheridan of Carmel, Calif., to George Pyper; letter of 19 Feb. 1931, from Howard Smith to George Pyper; letter of 8 Feb. 1932 from Dan Spencer to George Pyper.
        • Salt Lake Theatre correspondence, 1933-1941 located in folder 6. Set of 12 letters related to the Salt Lake Theatre, including: letter of 20 Dec. 1933 from Henry Clapp Smith of New York City to George D. Pyper, and Pyper's reply of 6 Feb. 1934; letter of 7 Feb. 1934 from Myrtle Henderson of Evanston, Illinois to George D. Pyper, and his reply of 19 Feb. 1934; letter of 6 Jan. 1936 from (L. T.?) Freeze; letter of 8 April 1938 from Annie Wells Cannon to George D. Pyper and his reply of 13 April 1938; a newspaper article by Walter Prichard Eaton reviewing the book, Backstage with Henry Miller, by Frank P. Morse; a 1940 announcement for KSL radio about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; letter of 13 May 1941 from George H. Crow to George Pyper, and Pyper's reply of 24 May 1941; letter of 13 May 1940 from George D. Pyper to Thomas K. Little of Beverly Hills, California; letter of 8 Nov. 1941 from Martha Hardy McHaig of Oakland, California.
        • Salt Lake Theatre correspondence, undated located in folder 7. Set of letters and other documents related to the Salt Lake Theater and its manager, George Pyper. Includes: Letter (undated but from November of 1928) from Aaron W. Tracy, President of Weber College, to George Pyper; Letter from actor George Pauncefort (1869-1942) with an account of expenses and a statement about the acting profession; Note from John T. Caine to J. A. Herne; Letter from Evelyn Wight inquiring about the history of the opera house in Salt Lake; letter dated 19 Dec. [1928] from Philip Rhodes Thorn of New York City.
        Dates: 1873-1941
        Container: Box 10
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Financial Information, circa 1867-1928

        Container: Box 11

      • Record Books, 1901-1905, 1920-1928

        Container: Box 12

      • Description: Programs
        Some original broadsides from 1856, 1863, 1869, and 1876, have been removed and placed in Reserve. Photocopied versions are available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the originals must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used.
        Dates: 1856-1901
        Container: Box 13
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Programs
        Dates: 1901-1926
        Container: Box 14
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Programs, 1900-1930s

        Container: Box 15

      • Description: Programs
        Dates: 1865; 1877; 1888-1890; 1908
        Container: Oversize box 16
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Play Scripts, 1849, 1899, 1902
      • Description: Prompt Books, A-Bia
        Container: Box 18
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Bia-Cas
        Container: Box 19
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Cha-Cin
        Container: Box 20
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Civ-Cou
        Container: Box 21
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Cri-Dec
        Container: Box 22
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Dec-Eas
        Container: Box 23
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Eas-Ern
        Container: Box 24
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Eus-Fet
        Container: Box 25
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Fet-Fro
        Container: Box 26
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Fro-Gre
        Container: Box 27
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Gre-Ham
        Container: Box 28
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Han-Hem
        Container: Box 29
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Hen-Hon
        Container: Box 30
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Hop-Hun
        Container: Box 31
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Hun-Ion
        Container: Box 32
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Ion-Jac
        Container: Box 33
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Jac-Lau
        Container: Box 34
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Lav-Lon
        Container: Box 35
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Lon-Luc
        Container: Box 36
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Luc-Mar
        Container: Box 37
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Mar-Mas
        Container: Box 38
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Mer-Mol
        Container: Box 39
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Mol-My
        Container: Box 40
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, My
        Container: Box 41
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Nai-Not
        Container: Box 42
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Not-Nym
        Container: Box 43
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, O
        Container: Box 44
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, P-Pho
        Container: Box 45
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Pil-Pri
        Container: Box 46
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Pri-Q
        Container: Box 47
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Raf-Ric
        Container: Box 48
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Ric-Ros
        Container: Box 49
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Ros-Shi
        Container: Box 50
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Shi-Sta
        Container: Box 51
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Ste-Syb
        Container: Box 52
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Ted-Tim
        Container: Box 53
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Tim-Und
        Container: Box 54
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Une-Wai
        Container: Box 55
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Wai-Whi
        Container: Box 56
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Whi-Wom
        Container: Box 57
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Prompt Books, Wom-Wy
        Container: Box 58
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Salt Lake Theater History

        An original news clipping has been removed and placed in Reserve. A photocopied version is available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the original must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item if being used.

        Dates: circa 1915
        Container: Box 59, Folder 1
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Rules and Regulations

        Two documents related to the operation of the Salt Lake Theatre, one with general rules and regulations, the other with rules specifically for members of the theater's orchestra. The rules for orchestra has been removed and placed in Reserve. A photocopied version is available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the original must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item if being used.

        Container: Box 59, Folder 2
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Building Structure

        Three documents related to the Salt Lake Theatre, including a letter dated 2 March 1912 from Hyrum Folsom to the managers of the Salt Lake Theatre with history on the development of the theatre; a letter dated 10 October 1927 from Don C. Young and Hamm Hansen, architects, on the conditions of the building; and a certificate of survey dated 25 August 1902, signed by L. C. Kelsey, City Engineer, with a plat map of the location of the theater building.

        Dates: 1902; 1912; 1927
        Container: Box 59, Folder 3
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Theater Memorial Tablet, Correspondence

        Set of documents related to the Salt Lake Theatre, including a Handwritten text of a speech at the 1940 dedication of a historical plaque for the Salt Lake Theatre, recapping the theater's history (23 pages, page 22 missing, probably written by George D. Pyper); telegram dated 14 Nov. 1928 from Ada Russell to Mrs. George Pyper about plans for the marker; a letter dated 12 Dec. 1928 from Frederick H. Reid of Denver, President of the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company to the Theatre Memorial Tablet Committee in Salt Lake City; letter of 25 June 1929 from Ada Dwyer Russell (chair of the Theatre Memorial Tablet Committee) to Mahonri M. Young regarding design of the historical tablet; and three letters dated 25 Sept. 1930, 16 Oct. 1930, and 31 Oct. 1930 from the General Bronze Corporation in Chicago to George D. Pyper about the historical marker project, and Pyper's reply of 1 Dec. 1930.

        Dates: 1928-1930
        Container: Box 59, Folder 4
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Plaque Dedication

        Set of 23 letters, articles, and papers related to the dedication of the Salt Lake Theatre memorial fund drive. Includes: 14 letters of late September, 1940, from George D. Pyper to various participants in the dedication ceremony; letter of 27 Sept. 1940 from LDS President Heber J. Grant to Pyper; letter of 1 Oct. 1940 from Ethel Macdonald, City Recorder, about the Salt Lake City board of commissioners granting petition relating to the dedication ceremony; letter of 2 Oct. 1940 from Ethel Macdonald, City Recorder, about the Board accepting invitation to attend the dedication; transcript of a letter of 30 Sept. 1940 from Mahonri Young, designer of the memorial plaque, explaining the meaning of the figures shown on the plaque; telegram of 1 Oct. 1940 from Frederick H. Reid sending regrets re not attending the ceremony; copy of the August 1940 issue of "I.T." by the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, with picture of the Salt Lake Theatre on the cover and an article about Salt Lake City and an article about the Salt Lake Theatre by George Pyper; mimeographed program for the dedication ceremony held on 4 Oct. 1940; and copies of two articles, one from the May 11, 1940, issue of the Deseret News about the plaque, the other about fund drive by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers to raise a Pioneer Memorial building on Capitol Hill that would be a replica of the old Salt Lake Theatre.

        Dates: 1940
        Container: Box 59, Folder 5
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Salt Lake Theater Corporation Deeds

        Set of 3 documents related to the Salt Lake Theatre, including: Document dated 8 May 1872 of Joseph A. Young conferring power of attorney upon LeGrand Young; an indenture dated 25 August 1873 between Le Grand Young and the Salt Lake Theatre Corporation, selling the land for the theater building; a similar deed dated 25 August 1873 between Joseph A. Young and the Salt Lake Theatre Corporation, selling land for the theater building.

        Dates: 1872-1873
        Container: Box 59, Folder 6
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Festival at Brigham Young University, Program Script and Correspondence
        Dates: 1937-1938
        Container: Box 59, Folder 7
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Romance of an Old Playhouse, by George D. Pyper
        • Salt Lake Theatre documents, 1905, 1927 located in folder 8. Set of documents related to the Salt Lake Theatre, including: a letter dated 18 May 1905 from David McKenzie to George D. Pyper on the early history of the theater; letter of 20 June 1905 from Lincoln J. Carter to George D. Pyper on early history of the theater; letters dated 29 Jun 1927 and 15 July 1927 from the editors of the Saturday Evening Post to George Pyper on why they would not publish his history of the theater, and a letter dated 6 July 1927 from Pyper to the editors.
        • George D. Pyper correspondence re "The Romance of an old playhouse," 1928-1942 located in folder 9. Set of letters to and from George D. Pyper related to his history of the Salt Lake Theatre, including: Letter of 19 Oct. 1928 from Susa Young Gates to George D. Pyper about his book on the Salt Lake Theatre, and his reply of 6 Nov. 1928; letter of 10 Nov. 1928 from the Seagull Press Printing to George D. Pyper providing a statement of expenses due for the printing of his book; pages from an issue of the "Christmas Herald" with a photo of "interior of Salt Lake Theatre"; Salt Lake Theatre program from season 1927-8; quotations and invoices from the Seagull Press, 1928; financial reports from Deseret Book Company from 1928 through 1938 on George Pyper's book; letter dated 12 Nov. 1928 from Daniel S. Spencer, passenger agent for the Union Pacific Railroad, conveying a letter from Willie Seymour about the book; letter of 29 March 1930 from Wanda Lyon to George Pyper about his book; letter of 14 February 1930 from niece Dora P. Anderson to George Pyper at an authors' service bureau in Hollywood, seeking rights to adapt the book for a movie, and his reply of 20 May; letter of 23 from Carl A. Badger to George Pyper and his 13 Oct. 1933 reply; "Salt Lake Theatre guide for managers, agents and companies"; letter of 7 March 1941 from University of Utah President LeRoy E. Cowles to George Pyper about using his book at freshman orientation; letter of 16 May 1941 from James Hilton of Metro-Goldyn-Mayer Pictures about the book; letter of 23 Oct. 1942 from Wilford W. Richards of Logan to George D. Pyper regarding use of quotations from the book for the Institute of Religion, and a note from Pyper dated 24 Oct. 1942.
        • Salt Lake Theatre memoirs located in folder 10. Typescript by George D. Pyper of his memoir of the end of the Salt Lake Theatre in 1928, including the program of its "Farewell gala performance"; an "Epilogue" to Pyper's book, recounting the end of the theater building; a letter of 8 May 1941 from B. Spencer Young on his activities in dramatic productions in the 18th ward; other handwritten memoirs about the Salt Lake Theatre, lacking authors and dates.
        • Salt Lake theater recollections located in folder 11. Handwritten and typed notes, probably by George D. Pyper, with recollections from the history of theater in Salt Lake City, and other papers, including "An ode to the old Salt Lake Theater" written by James Lloyd Woodruff of Los Angeles, with cover letter dated 10 Nov. 1932.
        • Miscellaneous papers located in folder 12. Miscellaneous papers associated with George D. Pyper's history of the Salt Lake Theatre, including an illustration for the cover; text of words by an unidentified speaker before reading a short poem about the theatre; an advertisement for the book by Deseret Book Company; an article about the book from the "Improvement Era," written by Adam S. Bennion; and an errata sheet directing printer to reprint certain pages.
        Dates: 1905; 1927-1942
        Container: Box 59, Folder 8-12
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: The Drama in Utah, The Story of the Salt Lake Theater, by Horace G. Whitney
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box 59, Folder 13
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: The Theater

        Select volumes from 1907-1909 and 1912 are contained in these folders.

        Container: Box 59, Folder 14-16
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Contracts and Agreements

        These are mainly between the Salt Lake Theater and the Salt Lake Dramatic Association.

        Dates: 1873-1928
        Container: Box 60, Folder 1-2
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Testimonials

        Brief histories, written in response to an advertisement Pyper placed in the Deseret News, by those who attended the first dramatic performance in the Salt Lake Theater are in these folders.

        Dates: 1912
        Container: Box 60, Folder 3-4
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Viola Prall Gillette, Magazine Articles
        Dates: 1902; 1905
        Container: Box 60, Folder 5
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Harry Horsley, Biography
        Dates: 1917
        Container: Box 60, Folder 6
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Lists of Actors/Actresses, Guarantors, and Managers
        Container: Box 60, Folder 7
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Lists of Plays Performed in the Salt Lake Theater
        Container: Box 60, Folder 8-9
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Record of Performances from 1862 to 1902 Compiled by H.L.A. Culmer
        Dates: 1862; 1902
        Container: Box 60, Folder 10
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Dates of Performances from 1863-1900
        Dates: 1863; 1900
        Container: Box 60, Folder 11
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Stationery Samples
        Container: Box 60, Folder 12
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: News Clippings

        Included is information on the Salt Lake Theater's history; its managers and actors/actresses; its destruction; and its affiliation with the Salt Lake Opera Company.

        Dates: 1891-1960
        Container: Box 60, Folder 13-19
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Miscellaneous

        Salt Lake Theatre tickets have been removed and placed in Reserve. Photocopied versions are available in the collection for access purposes. Access to the originals must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used.

        Container: Box 60, Folder 20
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater
      • Description: Scrapbook
        Dates: 1900-1901
        Container: Oversize box 61
        Location: Theater Materials / Salt Lake Theater

    • Maude Adams

      • Description: Correspondence
        Dates: 1928; 1930; 1945
        Container: Box 62, Folder 1
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: The Maude Adams Book
        Dates: 1909
        Container: Box 62, Folder 2
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: Maude Adams Acting Edition of Romeo and Juliet
        Dates: 1899
        Container: Box 62, Folder 3
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: Maude Adams in L'Aiglon
        Dates: 1900
        Container: Box 62, Folder 4
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: Maude Adams in the Little Minister
        Dates: 1899
        Container: Box 62, Folder 5
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: Maude Adams in Peter Pan
        Dates: 1906
        Container: Box 62, Folder 6
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: Maude Adams in Chantecler
        Dates: 1911
        Container: Box 62, Folder 7
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: Contract between Adams and the Salt Lake Theater
        Dates: 1904 May
        Container: Box 62, Folder 8
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: Invitation

        This invitation concerns Adams's induction into the Pioneer State Theater Hall of Fame.

        Dates: 1975
        Container: Box 62, Folder 9
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: Speeches by Pyper about Maude Adams.
        Container: Box 62, Folder 10
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
      • Description: News Clippings

        The clippings focus on Adams's acting career and her association with the Salt Lake Theater. Also included is information on Julia Dean Hayne's acting career.

        Dates: 1904-1916
        Container: Box 62, Folder 11-12
        Location: Theater Materials / Maude Adams
    • Description: Index of Players, Plays, and Play Dates for the Deseret Dramatic Association, the Walker Opera House, and the Salt Lake Theater
      Dates: 1860s-1890s; 1901-1902
      Container: Box 63
      Location: Theater Materials

    • Salt Lake Dramatic Association

    • Salt Lake Dramatic Association and Salt Lake Opera Company

    • Salt Lake Opera Company

    • General Theater File, Programs

    • General Theater File

  • Music Files

    These files reflect Pyper's interest in music and involvement in several music groups. Materials concerning the Salt Lake Musical Arts Society, located in boxes 69-72, are arranged alphabetically by the individual or group contracted to perform. A scrapbook in box 72 contains news clippings and programs concerning those performances. Box 73, folder 5, includes sketches of various music organizations. Folders 8-12 of the same box contain information on individual musicians such as Emma Lucy Gates, Susa Young Gates, H. E. Giles, and John J. McClellan. Speeches by Pyper on music are in box 74, folders 1-3. Music scores by Evan Stephens, a conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, are in box 75, folders 1-6. Music scores and a director's script for Pyper's production, "The Message of the Ages" are located in box 76, folders 3-5. Some writings on Hindu music appreciation are located in folder 5 of box 79. Music speeches and scores by Pyper are found in box 80, folders 1-3.

  • Religious, Civic, and General Documents

    This series consists of documents relating to the LDS Church, Pyper's involvement in the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, and his collection of miscellaneous items. Many of the LDS materials concern past prophets or prominent members, including Heber J. Grant, Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and Joseph Smith, Jr. These materials are in box 81, folders 1-13. Folder 11 includes information concerning the motion picture, News clippings and postcards regarding Joseph Smith's history are in folders 15-16 and 19. Pyper's commission certificate, as well as correspondence, a booth register, and other documents for the Tennessee Exposition are in box 82. Miscellaneous items, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's coronation program and news clippings in folders 6-7, some 1895 Salt Lake election tickets listing Brigham Young as candidate for governor in folder 16, and writings on sericulture in folders 24-28, are included in box 83.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Latter Day Saint churches--Anniversaries, etc.--Drama
  • Latter Day Saint churches--History--Drama
  • Pageants--Utah--Salt Lake City--Utah--Salt Lake City
  • Theater--Utah--Salt Lake City--Sources
  • Theaters---Utah--Salt Lake City

Corporate Names

  • Deseret Sunday School Union
  • Mormon Tabernacle Choir
  • Salt Lake Theatre
  • Utah Symphony Orchestra

Form or Genre Terms

  • Business records
  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Contracts
  • Correspondence
  • Diaries
  • Posters
  • Programs (Publications)
  • Scores
  • Scrapbooks
  • Sermons
  • Theater programs

Finding aid created by Lisa DeMille.
2000 (last modified: 2019)

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

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