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1969 ~ Our 40th Year ~ 2009


Annual Conclave/Theatre Tour

Theatre Historical Society of America




2010 Conclave Logo

PLAN NOW TO JOIN US!

2010 Indiana Hoosier Heartland Conclave/Theatre Tour
June 22-27, 2010

Preliminary Conclave flyer





What are the Conclave/Theatre Tours like?

~ 2009 Conclave - Group picture at the Senator in Baltimore

~ A look back... 1991 Conclave - Group pic at the Senator

~ 2008 Conclave Scrapbook - San Jose and Around the Bay

~ 2007 Conclave Scrapbook - Milwaukee to Minneapolis

Here's our group photo at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee!

~ 2006 Conclave Scrapbook - Boston and environs

~ Read the article by Elliott Stein in The Village Voice:

"Palace Walks: On the Road with the Theatre Historical Society"

~ Listen to the KPLU Seattle/National Public Radio report:

"Exploring Northwest Theatre History with THSA"




More about our Conclaves


The Theatre Historical Society holds an annual Conclave, or theatre tour, every summer in a different city or area of the country. Usually lasting four to five days, the schedule includes visits to up to two dozen historic theatres, along with many other activities.

The first evening is always a welcome reception and silent auction/"flea market" sale featuring theatre-related books and collectibles. Attendees enjoy meeting one another and renewing old friendships or making new ones and purchasing that special item.

Over the next few days there are visits to a variety of theatres, from neighborhood venues seating a few hundred to giant movie palaces seating thousands. Some have been lovingly rehabilitated by dedicated volunteers with "sweat equity," while others have been restored to their original grandeur by master craftsmen for millions of dollars. Some others, however, have not been so fortunate but are nonetheless historically interesting, and the opportunity to see them is equally appreciated.

Attendees are usually allowed to go backstage and sometimes up to the projection booth, or "crawl" around the many other nooks and crannies. Managers or owners are usually present to give the history of their theatre. If there's a pipe organ, it may be played by the resident organist -- or THS members!

Other highlights of the Conclave are sometimes a "trailer bash" and/or "slide bash." The "trailer bash" is held at one of the theatres visited. Members bring movie "trailers," or previews, of classic or contemporary films, sometimes presenting real treasures! The "slide bash" features slides or sometimes videos of a member's favorite theatres, or highlights from the previous year's Conclave. The commentary is sometimes serious, sometimes humorous.

The main Conclave concludes with a banquet in the host hotel or another unique location. The 1995 Detroit Conclave's farewell brunch was in the ornate lobby of the Fox Theatre, and the final banquet of the 1989 London Conclave took place amidst the regal splendor of the Royal Pavilion at Brighton!

Frequently there is also an "Afterglow" tour following the regular Conclave to a nearby area of interest, for those who wish to spend a little more time seeing the sights with fellow THS'ers. The 1999 Western New York Conclave had an excursion to the historic Chautauqua Institution; and the 2005 Southern California Conclave visited theatres in San Diego and enjoyed brunch at the historic Hotel Del Coronado. In 2008, there was a tour to the incredible Hearst Castle along the beautiful Big Sur coast highway!

Previous THS Conclave locations:

1970 - New York City NY
1971 - Seattle WA
1972 - Washington DC
1973 - Chicago IL
1974 - Detroit MI
1975 - San Francisco CA
1976 - New York City NY
1977 - Chicago IL
1978 - San Antonio TX
1979 - Los Angeles CA

1980 - New York City NY
1981 - Milwaukee WI
1982 - Cleveland OH
1983 - Boston MA
1984 - St. Louis MO
1985 - Philadelphia PA
1986 - Chicago IL
1987 - Eugene OR to Seattle WA
1988 - Columbus and Ohio
1989 - London, England

1990 - New Haven and Connecticut
1991 - San Francisco CA
1992 - Washington DC and Richmond VA
1993 - New Orleans LA
1994 - Toronto, Canada
1995 - Detroit MI
1996 - Montreal and Quebec, Canada
1997 - Salt Lake City and Ogden UT
1998 - Los Angeles CA
1999 - Western New York

2000 - Cleveland, Columbus and Northeast Ohio
2001 - Portland OR to Seattle WA
2002 - New York City NY
2003 - Chicago IL
2004 - Kansas City MO and environs
2005 - Los Angeles CA and Southern California
2006 - Boston MA and environs
2007 - Milwaukee WI to Minneapolis MN
2008 - San Jose CA and Greater San Francisco Bay Area
2009 - Philadelphia PA, including Wilmington DE, Baltimore MD, NJ and Northeast PA


Future Conclaves are scheduled for:

2010 [June 22-27] - Indianapolis IN - "Hoosier Heartland"


Plan now to join us!



Interested in a Conclave in your area?

There are many cities and parts of the country with theatres that would be GREAT for THS to visit! Consider having a Conclave in your area! They are are hosted by a local committee of member and outside volunteers, working under the direction of the THS Vice President and a board committee. Any member is welcome to submit a proposal to host a Conclave. Contact Society headquarters for more information.



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