Materials from two estates and the Archives’ ephemera file were combined to create this collection of material of the La Crosse Music Study Club.
From Mrs. Lucille Knothe’s estate came the membership booklets or yearbooks, some newspaper articles and some programs. From Mrs. Elise (Lovold) Cilley came all the performers’ contracts, photographs and many sample programs. From the ephemera file already in the Archives came some more printed programs of past concerts.
While the majority of the material is program based, there is a two page history and several newspaper clippings about the Club. Also, a nice collection of membership booklets (or yearbooks, as they were called) is included from 1921-1983.
Program committee files begin with general files which include sample programs and “stray” contracts as well as agent booklets advertising different talent on the concert tour circuit. Performers files may or may not include promotional photographs, program, contract and correspondence. The file on Charles Norman Granville is the most personnel, with several hand written letters from him to Mrs. Cilley. Other notable performers who have files include Geraldine Farrier, Frieda Hempel, Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra, Sistine Chapel Choir, and the Marriage of Figaro (Hinshaw).
