Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation Theatre Program Records, 1969-1999

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle (Wash). Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Title
Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation Theatre Program Records
Dates
1969-1999 (inclusive)
1975-1983 (bulk)
Quantity
.8 cubic feet, (2 boxes)
Collection Number
5807-15
Summary
Records concerning theater programs sponsored by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation.
Repository
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions

Records are open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Department of Parks and Recreation maintains the City's parks, shorelines, and boulevards; and administers community centers, public golf courses, and other athletic and cultural facilities. Seattle's first park was established in 1884 after David Denny donated land to the City for that purpose. At that time, a three-member park committee, with limited authority, was created to manage the nascent park system. A Board of Parks Commissioners was established in 1890 with control over all public parks and authority to appoint a Parks Superintendent. In 1896, the City Charter created the position of Superintendent of Streets, Sewers and Parks. The Parks Department became a separate entity in 1904. In 1926, a City Charter amendment abolished the position of Superintendent, distributing its responsibilities between the Head Gardener and the Landscape Architect. A 1948 City Charter amendment required the Board of Park Commissioners to appoint a park superintendent to administer the department. In 1967, another City Charter Amendment reconstituted the Board as an advisory body to the Mayor and City Council, changed the agency name to Department of Parks and Recreation, and placed fiscal and operational administration under the superintendent. In 1902 the City hired the Olmsted Brothers, the country's premier landscape architectural firm, to design a parks and boulevards system. Although not all of the plan was implemented, the Olmsted legacy is evident in many of Seattle's parks and boulevards. The City acquired significant amounts of property for park purposes following the turn of the 20th Century, but in 1926 further acquisition was limited by a City Charter amendment that stipulated only money in the Park Fund could be used for that purpose. However, in the 1970s the Forward Thrust Bond issue, along with federal grants and the Seattle Model City Program, supported the largest expansion of the Park system in Seattle history. These programs funded more than 70 new parks and park facilities. The Department manages over 6,000 acres of park land, over two dozen community centers, five municipal golf courses, the Aquarium, and many other recreational and athletic facilities.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Records of the Department’s Performing and Visual Arts section, including correspondence, memos, grant files, schedules, flyers, press releases, reports and fact sheets, concerning operations of two theatre programs sponsored and supported by the City of Seattle. Beginning in 1969, the Bathhouse Theatre operated in a converted bathhouse at Green Lake Park, hosted several companies, presented professional and amateur productions, and provided training for younger actors. Poncho Theatre, located near the entrance of Woodland Park Zoo, opened in 1971 under zoo management and in 1975 became a professional theatre for the theatre arts education of children, young adults and their families. Also included are records of the Drama Board of the Bathhouse Theatre and Poncho Theatre Advisory Council, including minutes, correspondence, budgets and organizational documents.

For related records documenting the administration of the Performing and Visual Arts Program, see record series 5807-14.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation Theatre Program Records , Record Series 5807-15. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged into subseries for each theatre and advisory body.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Bathhouse Theatre, 1975-1999Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Bathhouse Backstage Newsletter
undated
1/2
Brochures and Flyers
1978-1981
1/3
Clippings
1976-1999
1/4
Correspondence
1979-1983
1/5
Fact Sheet
undated
1/6
Financial Records
1979-1981
1/7
Floor Plans
1983
1/8
Fund Raising
1973-1982
1/9
Press Releases
1976-1983
1/10
Proposal For Sponsorship
1981
1/11
Reports
1975-1982

Drama Board of the Bathhouse Theatre, 1969-1982Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/12
Budget
1975-1977
1/13
Constitution and Bylaws
1969
1/14
Correspondence
1974-1982
1/15
Membership Lists
1975-1976
1/16
Minutes
1974-1982
1/17
Tax Exemption
1972-1977

Poncho Theatre, 1975-1985Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/18
Attendance and Vending Machine Sales
1980
1/19
Clippings
1975-1981
1/20
Correspondence, John Chambless
1980
1/21
Correspondence and Weekly Reports, Richard Kalinoski and Staff
1982-1983
2/1
Fact Sheet
undated
2/2
Flyers
1976-1982
2/3
Music, Film, etc. Events
1976
2/4
News Releases
1981-1983
2/5
Poncho Post (Newsletter)
1983
2/6
Schedules
1982-1983
2/7
Poncho Theatre / Seattle Children's Theatre
1982-1985
2/8
Ticket Prices
1982-1983

Poncho Theatre Advisory Council, 1975-1982Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/9
Budget
1975-1977
2/10
School Study Guides
1981
2/11
Correspondence
1976-1982
2/12
Grants
1975-1979
2/13
Membership
1976-1977
2/14
Minutes and Correspondence
1975-1976
2/15
Minutes, Financial Reports and Correspondence
1977
2/16
Minutes
1981
2/17
Organization
1975-1977

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Children’s theater--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Theater--Washington (State)--Seattle

Personal Names

  • Chambless, John

Corporate Names

  • Seattle Children’s Theatre
  • Bathhouse Theatre
  • PONCHO (Organization : Seattle, Wash.). Theatre

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Kalinoski, Richard (creator)