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Katharine Cornell and Sidney B. Pfeifer Theatres Posters, DVDs and Videos

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 16-6-1304

Scope and Contents

This collection contains posters, VHS tapes, and DVDs. All items within the collection are dated, however many do not list a year. Some items listed under the Pfeifer Theatre note the Center Theatre as their locations, which points to its name prior to UB’s purchase and renovation of the theater.

Dates

  • circa 1980-2000

Terms of Access

The bulk of the Katharine Cornell and Sidney B. Pfeifer Theatres Posters, DVDs and Videos are open for research.

Copyright

Copyright is held by the State University of New York at Buffalo, University Archives. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Historical Note

UB’s Katharine Cornell Theatre, located in the Ellicott Complex, is named for Buffalo stage actress Katharine Cornell. The theatre served as a venue for theater, dance, and music productions, including PBS’s Mark Russell political satire shows. The Katherine Cornell Theatre now serves as an acting and dance classroom as well as a venue for student productions.

UB bought the Center Theatre at 681 Main Street in downtown Buffalo’s Theater District in 1985, then changed the name to honor late Buffalo attorney and theater patron Sidney B. Pfeifer. After serving as a venue for theater, dance, and music shows for many years, the theater became the Town Ballroom in 2005, a popular Buffalo concert venue.

Biographical Note

Katharine Cornell was a respected theater actor, writer and producer. Born in Berlin, Germany, Cornell was raised in Buffalo, New York. She established a rich and respected career and remains one of the most well-known performers exclusive to theater work. A number of collections related to Katharine Cornell's life and career are held by the University at Buffalo's University Archives.

Sidney B. Pfeifer was a highly regarded lawyer who graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Law. As a resident of Buffalo, he had many civic and social interests including the Buffalo Philharmonic Society, the Buffalo Urban League and the Men's Club of Temple Beth Zion. In 1919 Pfeifer worked as a "stringer" for Variety and would go on to become the Buffalo correspondent for stage and motion picture publications..

Extent

6.29 Linear Feet (1 oversize box, 1 carton, 1 map folder)

0.255 Gigabytes (2 files)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains posters, DVDs, and videos from performances at the Katharine Cornell and Sidney B. Pfeifer Theatres.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in three series: I. Sidney B. Pfeifer Theatre, II. Katharine Cornell Theatre, III. Unknown Location. Items are further arranged by format and date within the series.

Acquisition Information

The University Archives acquired this collection from Gerald Kegler, CFA Facilities director, in June 2017.

Processing Information

Processed by Grace Trimper, March 2018. Digital material processed by Grace Trimper, 2021. Digital files created by the Department of Theatre and Dance were transferred to the University Archives on storage media including DVDs. Where possible, digital content saved on storage media was migrated from the storage media, normalized to standard preservation and access formats, and transferred to a stable preservation environment following the University Libraries' Digital Preservation guidelines. Some folder titles were altered to assist researchers in locating and identifying digital content.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Source

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Finding Aid for the Katharine Cornell and Sidney B. Pfeifer Theatres Posters, DVDs and Videos
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Grace Trimper.
Date
2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Physical Storage Information

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives Repository

http://library.buffalo.edu/archives/
Contact:
420 Capen Hall
Buffalo New York 14260-1674 US
716-645-2916
716-645-3714 (Fax)