Annual Conclave/Theatre Tour

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

The first evening is always a welcome reception and silent auction/"flea market" sale of theatre-related books and collectibles. Attendees enjoy renewing old friendships or making new ones as well as 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 up to the projection booth, or "crawl" around the many other nooks and crannies. Managers or owners are generally on hand to give the history of the theatre. If there's a pipe organ, it's often played by the resident organist -- or THS members!

Sometimes there's a "trailer bash" at one of the theatres visited. Members bring movie "trailers," previews of classic or contemporary films, or vintage theatre promotional "daters" -- often some real treasures!

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

There's usually 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 and a few more theatres with fellow THS'ers. After the 1999 Western New York Conclave, the excursion was to the historic Chautauqua Institution; the 2005 Southern California Conclave toured theatres in San Diego, with brunch at the historic Hotel Del Coronado; and in 2008, the Afterglow journeyed from San Jose to the incredible Hearst Castle and along the beautiful Big Sur coast highway!

If you've never been on a Conclave, we invite you to join us! We're sure you'll enjoy it!

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
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 and surrounding areas

2010 - Indianapolis IN
2011 - Grand Rapids and Western Michigan

Future Conclaves are scheduled for:

2012 - [June 26-30] - California's Central Valley - Sacramento & Fresno regions

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.