George Dollinger Pyper papers
Collection
Identifier: MS 0001
Scope and Contents
The George Dollinger Pyper papers (1834-1975) consist of documents relating to the personal and professional life of George Dollinger Pyper (1860-1943), manager of the Salt Lake Theater from 1898 to 1929. Some of the materials have been digitized and are available online.
Series I of the collection contains the personal and family papers of George D. Pyper. They are located in boxes 1-9 and date from 1853 to 1943. Correspondence, condolence letters and tributes to Pyper upon his death, as well as invitations and event programs are located in box 1. This box also houses correspondence and biographical information concerning Pyper's wife, Emmaretta Smith Whitney Pyper. Pyper's involvement in numerous social clubs and events, as well as in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is reflected in box 2. Included are invitations, correspondence, newsletters, certificates, membership cards, and news clippings concerning the American Land and Irrigation Exposition, the Salt Lake Rotary Club, the Hot Air Club, and the Deseret Sunday School. A record of marriages performed by Pyper as justice of the peace, and later as an alderman and police judge, during the 1880s is also located in box 2. Box 3 houses poetry, articles written by and about Pyper, and other personal materials.
Also included in Section I are talks and sermons, diaries, day books, and scrapbooks. The talks and sermons are located in boxes 4-5 and are undated. Included are funeral sermons given by Pyper, as well as talks on pioneers, mothers, teachers, education, child development, the historic aspects of Salt Lake City's State Street, humor, and other subjects. Many of Pyper's talks and sermons were given in behalf of the Deseret Sunday School Board, of which he was a member, and are labeled as such. Stories, correspondence, and poetry that Pyper used in many of his talks are also included in these boxes. Diaries and day books are located in box 6. Two scrapbooks, housed in boxes 7-8, contain information on the Salt Lake Theater, federal and state politics, the LDS Church, crime in Utah, and musical and other events. Correspondence, certificates, patriarchal blessings, bills, receipts, and notes concerning Pyper's father, Alexander Pyper, and mother, Christiana Dollinger Pyper, are housed in box 9.
Series II consists of theater materials, particularly those documenting activities at the Salt Lake Theater. They date from 1849-1975 and are housed in boxes 10-68. The Salt Lake Theater was built in 1862 under the direction of Brigham Young and managed by Pyper from 1898 to 1929. Correspondence, financial information, and account books concerning the Salt Lake Theater are found in boxes 10-12. Programs, play scripts, and prompt books used for Salt Lake Theater productions or by performers of the theater are in boxes 13-58. The theater programs, in boxes 13-16A, are arranged chronologically while the play scripts and prompt books are arranged alphabetically. Additional documents relating to the Salt Lake Theater are housed in boxes 59-61. Historical information, a listing of rules and regulations, building structure documents, deeds, materials on the dedication and memorial ceremonies, as well as publications about the theater are in box 59. Documents, including contracts and agreements, testimonials, biographies, rosters, and news clippings regarding performances and performers of the theater are housed in box 60.
One of the most prominent performers of the Salt Lake Theater was Maude Adams. She debuted there as an infant in The Lost Child and later became famous for her role as Peter Pan on New York's Broadway. Correspondence, publications concerning Adams and her various acting roles, a contract, speeches by Pyper about Adams, and news clippings featuring Adams are found in box 62 and date from 1899 to 1945. Also present is a 1975 invitation concerning Adams's induction into the Pioneer State Theater Hall of Fame.
Series II also consists of documents relating to the Salt Lake Dramatic Association, the Salt Lake Opera Company, and theaters outside of Utah. An index of "players," plays, and play dates for the Deseret Dramatic Association, the Walker Opera House, and the Salt Lake Theater from the 1860s-1890s and 1901-1902 is located in box 63. Salt Lake Dramatic Association meeting minutes, as well as tax, stock, and financial information for this organization can be found in boxes 64-65. Box 65 also contains an undated Salt Lake Opera Company record book. Documents related to theaters outside of Utah are in boxes 67-68. The bulk of these materials consists of theater programs from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and other cities. Some of these theaters include the Lyceum, McVicker's, Proctor's, Colonial, Wilkes, Hooley's, and various New York theaters. Box 68 also includes correspondence and news clippings concerning "The Marcus Show" (an international traveling performance group), newsprint pictures of actors and actresses, a picture booklet depicting the character roles of actor Edward Sothern, and unidentified theater record books.
Music files, dating from 1856 to 1948, constitute Series III of the collection. They are housed in boxes 69-80 and include agreements and contracts between the Salt Lake Theater and performers from the Musical Arts Society; correspondence, news clippings, and other documents relating to music groups and individuals in Utah; information on the LDS Tabernacle Choir's founder and conductor, Evan Stephens; materials for the choir's centennial celebration, and tours; and music scores. Boxes 69-72 contain documents relating to the Musical Arts Society. As manager of the Salt Lake Theater, Pyper was responsible for booking performances for the theater. Boxes 69-71 contain contracts, agreements, notes, and some correspondence regarding performances in the theater. They are listed alphabetically by the performer or performance group and include individuals such as Amelita Galli-Curci, Lucy Gates, Josef Hofmann, Vladimir Horowitz, Ignance Paderekski, Will Rogers, and Sousa's Band. Box 72 houses a scrapbook featuring news clippings and programs for many of the individuals and groups listed in the preceding boxes. Documents concerning music groups and musicians specifically from Utah are located in boxes 73-74. Information on the Salt Lake Symphony Orchestra, George Careless, Emma Lucy Gates, Susa Young Gates, H. E. Giles, and John J. McClellan is present.
Materials concerning the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, dating from 1889 to 1947, are in boxes 75-78. Evan Stephens established and conducted the choir from the 1890s to 1916. Music scores and books by Stephens, as well as news clippings on his death and LDS Church history are housed in box 75. The choir's celebration of the LDS Church's centennial in 1930 resulted in the production, "The Message of the Ages, A Sacred Pageant." Programs, announcements, scripts, music scores, and news clippings concerning this event are in box 76. Also included in this box is a centennial celebration booklet, One Hundred Years, written by Pyper and a 1947 program commemorating the centennial held in 1930. In 1911 the choir took a tour, managed by Pyper, of the United States. Correspondence, expense reports, programs, itineraries, news clippings, and a scrapbook regarding this and future tours in the 1930s are in boxes 77-78. The last two boxes in this section contain musical scores and compilations by various authors that date from the 1880s to 1933.
Series IV of the collection consists of religious, civic, and miscellaneous documents. They are located in boxes 81-84 and date from 1834 to 1940. Materials concerning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are housed in box 81. Birthday programs, news clippings, writings, patriarchal blessings, pamphlets, and postcards concerning Heber J. Grant, Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and LDS Church history are included. Box 82 houses documents relating to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition held in 1897. Pyper was a member of the centennial commission representing the state of Utah. Correspondence, a booth register, a list of agricultural entries, Pyper's commission membership certificate, and a ground plan of the exposition's agricultural building are found in this box. Box 83 contains miscellaneous items collected by Pyper such as publications, Salt Lake City election tickets (some listing him as candidate for treasurer and others with Brigham Young for governor), postcards, and guidebooks. Also included is information on sericulture. This section also includes oversize materials, located in box 84. Broadsides, certificates, painting reproductions, and publications are housed in this box. Additional oversize broadsides are located in the Manuscripts Division map case.
Series I of the collection contains the personal and family papers of George D. Pyper. They are located in boxes 1-9 and date from 1853 to 1943. Correspondence, condolence letters and tributes to Pyper upon his death, as well as invitations and event programs are located in box 1. This box also houses correspondence and biographical information concerning Pyper's wife, Emmaretta Smith Whitney Pyper. Pyper's involvement in numerous social clubs and events, as well as in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is reflected in box 2. Included are invitations, correspondence, newsletters, certificates, membership cards, and news clippings concerning the American Land and Irrigation Exposition, the Salt Lake Rotary Club, the Hot Air Club, and the Deseret Sunday School. A record of marriages performed by Pyper as justice of the peace, and later as an alderman and police judge, during the 1880s is also located in box 2. Box 3 houses poetry, articles written by and about Pyper, and other personal materials.
Also included in Section I are talks and sermons, diaries, day books, and scrapbooks. The talks and sermons are located in boxes 4-5 and are undated. Included are funeral sermons given by Pyper, as well as talks on pioneers, mothers, teachers, education, child development, the historic aspects of Salt Lake City's State Street, humor, and other subjects. Many of Pyper's talks and sermons were given in behalf of the Deseret Sunday School Board, of which he was a member, and are labeled as such. Stories, correspondence, and poetry that Pyper used in many of his talks are also included in these boxes. Diaries and day books are located in box 6. Two scrapbooks, housed in boxes 7-8, contain information on the Salt Lake Theater, federal and state politics, the LDS Church, crime in Utah, and musical and other events. Correspondence, certificates, patriarchal blessings, bills, receipts, and notes concerning Pyper's father, Alexander Pyper, and mother, Christiana Dollinger Pyper, are housed in box 9.
Series II consists of theater materials, particularly those documenting activities at the Salt Lake Theater. They date from 1849-1975 and are housed in boxes 10-68. The Salt Lake Theater was built in 1862 under the direction of Brigham Young and managed by Pyper from 1898 to 1929. Correspondence, financial information, and account books concerning the Salt Lake Theater are found in boxes 10-12. Programs, play scripts, and prompt books used for Salt Lake Theater productions or by performers of the theater are in boxes 13-58. The theater programs, in boxes 13-16A, are arranged chronologically while the play scripts and prompt books are arranged alphabetically. Additional documents relating to the Salt Lake Theater are housed in boxes 59-61. Historical information, a listing of rules and regulations, building structure documents, deeds, materials on the dedication and memorial ceremonies, as well as publications about the theater are in box 59. Documents, including contracts and agreements, testimonials, biographies, rosters, and news clippings regarding performances and performers of the theater are housed in box 60.
One of the most prominent performers of the Salt Lake Theater was Maude Adams. She debuted there as an infant in The Lost Child and later became famous for her role as Peter Pan on New York's Broadway. Correspondence, publications concerning Adams and her various acting roles, a contract, speeches by Pyper about Adams, and news clippings featuring Adams are found in box 62 and date from 1899 to 1945. Also present is a 1975 invitation concerning Adams's induction into the Pioneer State Theater Hall of Fame.
Series II also consists of documents relating to the Salt Lake Dramatic Association, the Salt Lake Opera Company, and theaters outside of Utah. An index of "players," plays, and play dates for the Deseret Dramatic Association, the Walker Opera House, and the Salt Lake Theater from the 1860s-1890s and 1901-1902 is located in box 63. Salt Lake Dramatic Association meeting minutes, as well as tax, stock, and financial information for this organization can be found in boxes 64-65. Box 65 also contains an undated Salt Lake Opera Company record book. Documents related to theaters outside of Utah are in boxes 67-68. The bulk of these materials consists of theater programs from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and other cities. Some of these theaters include the Lyceum, McVicker's, Proctor's, Colonial, Wilkes, Hooley's, and various New York theaters. Box 68 also includes correspondence and news clippings concerning "The Marcus Show" (an international traveling performance group), newsprint pictures of actors and actresses, a picture booklet depicting the character roles of actor Edward Sothern, and unidentified theater record books.
Music files, dating from 1856 to 1948, constitute Series III of the collection. They are housed in boxes 69-80 and include agreements and contracts between the Salt Lake Theater and performers from the Musical Arts Society; correspondence, news clippings, and other documents relating to music groups and individuals in Utah; information on the LDS Tabernacle Choir's founder and conductor, Evan Stephens; materials for the choir's centennial celebration, and tours; and music scores. Boxes 69-72 contain documents relating to the Musical Arts Society. As manager of the Salt Lake Theater, Pyper was responsible for booking performances for the theater. Boxes 69-71 contain contracts, agreements, notes, and some correspondence regarding performances in the theater. They are listed alphabetically by the performer or performance group and include individuals such as Amelita Galli-Curci, Lucy Gates, Josef Hofmann, Vladimir Horowitz, Ignance Paderekski, Will Rogers, and Sousa's Band. Box 72 houses a scrapbook featuring news clippings and programs for many of the individuals and groups listed in the preceding boxes. Documents concerning music groups and musicians specifically from Utah are located in boxes 73-74. Information on the Salt Lake Symphony Orchestra, George Careless, Emma Lucy Gates, Susa Young Gates, H. E. Giles, and John J. McClellan is present.
Materials concerning the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, dating from 1889 to 1947, are in boxes 75-78. Evan Stephens established and conducted the choir from the 1890s to 1916. Music scores and books by Stephens, as well as news clippings on his death and LDS Church history are housed in box 75. The choir's celebration of the LDS Church's centennial in 1930 resulted in the production, "The Message of the Ages, A Sacred Pageant." Programs, announcements, scripts, music scores, and news clippings concerning this event are in box 76. Also included in this box is a centennial celebration booklet, One Hundred Years, written by Pyper and a 1947 program commemorating the centennial held in 1930. In 1911 the choir took a tour, managed by Pyper, of the United States. Correspondence, expense reports, programs, itineraries, news clippings, and a scrapbook regarding this and future tours in the 1930s are in boxes 77-78. The last two boxes in this section contain musical scores and compilations by various authors that date from the 1880s to 1933.
Series IV of the collection consists of religious, civic, and miscellaneous documents. They are located in boxes 81-84 and date from 1834 to 1940. Materials concerning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are housed in box 81. Birthday programs, news clippings, writings, patriarchal blessings, pamphlets, and postcards concerning Heber J. Grant, Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and LDS Church history are included. Box 82 houses documents relating to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition held in 1897. Pyper was a member of the centennial commission representing the state of Utah. Correspondence, a booth register, a list of agricultural entries, Pyper's commission membership certificate, and a ground plan of the exposition's agricultural building are found in this box. Box 83 contains miscellaneous items collected by Pyper such as publications, Salt Lake City election tickets (some listing him as candidate for treasurer and others with Brigham Young for governor), postcards, and guidebooks. Also included is information on sericulture. This section also includes oversize materials, located in box 84. Broadsides, certificates, painting reproductions, and publications are housed in this box. Additional oversize broadsides are located in the Manuscripts Division map case.
Dates
- 1834-1975
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Some original items have been removed and placed in Reserve. Access must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used. Photocopies are available in the collection for research use.
Some original items have been removed and placed in Reserve. Access must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the items if being used. Photocopies are available in the collection for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Biographical Sketch
George Dollinger Pyper (1860-1943) was manager of the Salt Lake Theater from 1898 until its destruction in 1929. Nicknamed the "Cathedral in the Desert," the Salt Lake Theater became an attraction for Pyper at an early age as he watched performances from the top gallery. He received a formal introduction to the theater with his first operatic role in Patience in 1885 and sang as the leading tenor in the Salt Lake Opera Company for the next twenty-five years. His love for the Salt Lake Theater led him to publish a history called The Romance of an Old Playhouse in 1928. The book describes Utah and LDS Church history, the building of the theater, and the events that took place within. After retiring from the theater business, Pyper devoted the rest of his life to working on LDS Church publications and managing the Musical Arts Society.
Pyper was born 21 November 1860, to Alexander C. and Christiana D. Pyper in Salt Lake City, Utah. While growing up there he helped his father raise silkworms, feeding them with food from Brigham Young's mulberry grove, and herded cows in the Sugarhouse area. He attended school in the Sugarhouse and Twelfth Ward schools, and for a short time in Brigham Young's private school. He also attended the University of Deseret and studied law for two years. While attending the university, he met Emmaretta Smith Whitney, the daughter of Horace K. and Mary Cravath Whitney. They were married in the LDS Endowment House on 24 September 1883, and later had two children, Retta and George W. Pyper.
Pyper became a police court clerk in 1875 at the age of fourteen, while his father served as judge, and held that post until 1882, when his father died. Between 1883 and 1890, he was a justice of the peace, performing exactly 100 marriages, and served as an alderman and police judge. Most of his life, however, was devoted to music and the performing arts. In addition to his position in the Salt Lake Opera Company, Pyper was a member of the Tabernacle Choir, touring with them in their 1893 trips to Chicago and San Francisco, as well as managing the 1911 trip to the National Irrigation Congress in New York and the concerts en route. He also sung at hundreds of funerals, was one of early members of the Orpheus Club, belonged to the Philharmonic Society, and was president of the Salt Lake Civic Music Association in the 1930s. His devotion to music and the LDS Church led him to write a book entitled Stories of Latter-day Saint Hymns, Their Authors and Composers (1939) in which he documented the history of many hymns.
In 1890, Pyper became assistant secretary of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society and the secretary of the Utah State Fair organization. These two positions helped him organize Utah's agricultural exhibit at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as well as Utah's exhibit at the Tennessee Centennial in 1897. His activities within his community included being a member of the first Salt Lake Board of Education and the first city library board, a charter member of the Orpheus Club, and a member of the Rotary Club.
Pyper was called to serve an LDS mission--along with Brigham H. Roberts, Melvin J. Ballard, and Edward Midgley--in 1896. The original arrangement was for Roberts to talk and for the others to sing and say the prayers, but before too long they all shared the speaking duties. In 1897 he was appointed to the Descret Sunday School, building up its programs and increasing its membership. In 1918 he became a member of the Sunday School general superintendency, under David O. McKay, and in 1934 he became the general superintendent. While in these offices he helped publish church magazines such as The Instructor. For the LDS Church centennial in 1930, Pyper wrote and produced a pageant called "The Message of the Ages," which was performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The pageant was performed again in 1947 to celebrate the centennial of the first pioneers to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. George D. Pyper died in Salt Lake City on 17 January 1943.
Pyper was born 21 November 1860, to Alexander C. and Christiana D. Pyper in Salt Lake City, Utah. While growing up there he helped his father raise silkworms, feeding them with food from Brigham Young's mulberry grove, and herded cows in the Sugarhouse area. He attended school in the Sugarhouse and Twelfth Ward schools, and for a short time in Brigham Young's private school. He also attended the University of Deseret and studied law for two years. While attending the university, he met Emmaretta Smith Whitney, the daughter of Horace K. and Mary Cravath Whitney. They were married in the LDS Endowment House on 24 September 1883, and later had two children, Retta and George W. Pyper.
Pyper became a police court clerk in 1875 at the age of fourteen, while his father served as judge, and held that post until 1882, when his father died. Between 1883 and 1890, he was a justice of the peace, performing exactly 100 marriages, and served as an alderman and police judge. Most of his life, however, was devoted to music and the performing arts. In addition to his position in the Salt Lake Opera Company, Pyper was a member of the Tabernacle Choir, touring with them in their 1893 trips to Chicago and San Francisco, as well as managing the 1911 trip to the National Irrigation Congress in New York and the concerts en route. He also sung at hundreds of funerals, was one of early members of the Orpheus Club, belonged to the Philharmonic Society, and was president of the Salt Lake Civic Music Association in the 1930s. His devotion to music and the LDS Church led him to write a book entitled Stories of Latter-day Saint Hymns, Their Authors and Composers (1939) in which he documented the history of many hymns.
In 1890, Pyper became assistant secretary of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society and the secretary of the Utah State Fair organization. These two positions helped him organize Utah's agricultural exhibit at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as well as Utah's exhibit at the Tennessee Centennial in 1897. His activities within his community included being a member of the first Salt Lake Board of Education and the first city library board, a charter member of the Orpheus Club, and a member of the Rotary Club.
Pyper was called to serve an LDS mission--along with Brigham H. Roberts, Melvin J. Ballard, and Edward Midgley--in 1896. The original arrangement was for Roberts to talk and for the others to sing and say the prayers, but before too long they all shared the speaking duties. In 1897 he was appointed to the Descret Sunday School, building up its programs and increasing its membership. In 1918 he became a member of the Sunday School general superintendency, under David O. McKay, and in 1934 he became the general superintendent. While in these offices he helped publish church magazines such as The Instructor. For the LDS Church centennial in 1930, Pyper wrote and produced a pageant called "The Message of the Ages," which was performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The pageant was performed again in 1947 to celebrate the centennial of the first pioneers to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. George D. Pyper died in Salt Lake City on 17 January 1943.
Extent
44 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The George Dollinger Pyper papers (1834-1975) consist primarily of correspondence, scrapbooks, diaries, news clippings, programs, contracts, scripts, broadsides, and scores documenting George Dollinger Pyper's career as manager of the Salt Lake Theatre. Pyper served as manager of the Salt Lake Theatre from 1898 to 1929. He also served as general superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union and as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Some of the materials have been digitized and are available online.
Arrangement
Organized in four series: I. Personal Papers; II. Theater Materials; III. Music Files; IV. Religious, Civic, and Miscellaneous Documents.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Dorothy Van Stipriaan in 1969.
Separated Materials
Photographs have been transferred to the George D. Pyper photograph collection (P0001), located in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.
Processing Information
Processed by Lisa DeMille in 2000.
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Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records
- Business records
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Contracts
- Correspondence
- Deseret Sunday School Union
- Diaries
- Latter Day Saint churches -- Anniversaries, etc. -- Drama
- Latter Day Saint churches -- History -- Drama
- Mormon Tabernacle Choir
- Pageants--Utah--Salt Lake City -- Utah -- Salt Lake City
- Performing Arts
- Posters
- Programs (publications)
- Salt Lake Theatre
- Scores
- Scrapbooks
- Sermons
- Theater -- Utah -- Salt Lake City -- Sources
- Theater programs
- Theaters- -- Utah -- Salt Lake City
- Utah Symphony Orchestra
Creator
- Title
- Inventory of the George Dollinger Pyper papers
- Author
- Finding aid created by Lisa DeMille.
- Date
- 2000 (last modified: 2019)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2024: Updated finding aid to list some items from box 1, box 2, box 8, box 13, and box 59 as RESERVE items. Access copy available for researchers. 10/28/2024 Betsey Welland.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu