Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Provenance

From the estate of Doug Bowman, local collector of Harrisonburg memorabilia.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Virginia Theatre Playbills, 1914-1952, SC 0366, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Purchased at Green Valley Auctions December 5th, 2023 sale of the Doug Bowman Estate.

Administrative History

Harrisonburg's Virginia Theatre (variously New Virginia Theatre) opened to the public in January 1914. Located on S. Main St., the Virginia Theatre hosted live performances including minstrels, theatrical revues, musical shows, and eventually movies. It was open under various management until it was demolished in 1990.

Scope and Contents

Comprises playbills and programs for theatrical and musical performances, minstrels, follies, musical comedies, and plays as well as weekly programming schedules and two identical signs from Harrisonburg's Virginia Theatre.

The playbills feature advertisements from local businesses including Friddle's Restaurant, Joseph Ney & Sons Company, The Dean Studio, The Kavanaugh, W.L. Figgatt, Harrisonburg, Grocery Company, Denton's, Rockingham Milling Company, Yager's Shoe Store, Valley Blox, Wetsel Seed Co., and others.

The Follies of 1952 playbill includes eight original portrait photographs of local women from whom the Follies Queen of 1952 was selected.

Related Material

Virginia Theatre and New Virginia Theatre Playbills, 1914-1924, SC 0080, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Amusements -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- 20th century
• Bowman, Douglas, 1948-2023
• Green Valley Auctions, Inc.
• Harrisonburg (Va.) -- History
• Minstrels -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- 20th century
• Photographs
• Playbills
• Playbills -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- 20th century
• Theater -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- 20th century
• Theater programs -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- 20th century
• W. E. Friddle's Restaurant