Theatre Historical Society

ABOUT THS: Founded in 1969 by Ben Hall, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents, and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

ABOUT THE THS COLLECTIONS AND THE WILLIS & SHIRLEY AND CLASSIC CINEMAS RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER: Visitors to the Willis & Shirley Johnson and Classic Cinemas Research & Education Center at the Theatre Historical Society of America have the opportunity to explore in the greatest theatre architecture-related archive of its kind, the American Theatre Architecture Archive (ATAA). The collections housed in the ATAA contain information on over 18,000 theatres (both domestic and international) and span nearly every style and period of theatre architecture. Composed of photographs, negatives, slides, postcards, artists’ renderings, scrapbooks, books, periodicals, business records, blueprints and architectural drawings, supplier and trade catalogs, architectural artifacts, theatre furnishings, ushers’ uniforms, and numerous other items, the collections exist to document and preserve the cultural and social history of America’s theatre buildings. Find out more and explore our collections online at