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Twelfth Night Records

 Collection
Identifier: 1998-01

Collection Scope

The materials in this collection relate primarily to the planning and execution of the Twelfth Night event and include programs, scripts, invitations, guest lists, receipts, budgets, and news clippings. The collection is arranged by year of the event, which include correspondence and the pre-planning materials.

Dates

  • 1950 - 1989

Creator

Access

Access to the collection is unrestricted.

Use

Permission to use collection materials must be requested in writing.

History

On December 22, 1919 Henry Scripps Booth (along with his parents and friends) attended a comedy at the Shubert-Detroit Opera House by William Shakespeare called Twelfth Night. In 1921, Booth attended a Twelfth Night Revels at the Detroit Society of Arts and Craft. These events inspired Henry and in 1929 the first unofficial Twelfth Night costume party was held at Cranbrook in the large second floor studio of the Cranbrook Architectural Office.

The Twelfth Night Gala became an annual event established by Henry Scripps Booth “to recognize the contribution each employee and board member makes to Cranbrook by bringing them all together as participants in an enjoyable, annual, and ‘classless’ social event.” From 1950 to 1989 the event was held on January 6th in the library of Cranbrook House. Henry was both host and emcee, and provided entertainment as well as traditional refreshments of plum pudding, eggnog, and sherry. Guests were entertained “with a reading and reenactment of the Christmas Story, including the gift of the Magi and an amateur mummery play or pantomime.” After Henry’s death in February 1988, the final Twelfth Night Gala (1989), “Reminiscences of Twelfth Nights Past,” was held in his honor.

Extent

2.1 Linear Feet (5 MS)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

On December 22, 1919 Henry Scripps Booth (along with his parents and friends) attended a comedy at the Shubert-Detroit Opera House by William Shakespeare called Twelfth Night. In 1921, Booth attended a Twelfth Night Revels at the Detroit Society of Arts and Craft. These events inspired Henry and in 1929 the first unofficial Twelfth Night costume party was held at Cranbrook in the large second floor studio of the Cranbrook Architectural Office. The Twelfth Night Gala became an annual event established by Henry Scripps Booth “to recognize the contribution each employee and board member makes to Cranbrook by bringing them all together as participants in an enjoyable, annual, and ‘classless’ social event.” From 1950 to 1989 the event was held on January 6th in the library of Cranbrook House. Henry was both host and emcee, and provided entertainment as well as traditional refreshments of plum pudding, eggnog, and sherry. Guests were entertained “with a reading and reenactment of the Christmas Story, including the gift of the Magi and an amateur mummery play or pantomime.” After Henry’s death in February 1988, the final Twelfth Night Gala (1989), “Reminiscences of Twelfth Nights Past,” was held in his honor. The materials in this collection relate primarily to the planning and execution of the Twelfth Night event and include programs, scripts, invitations, guest lists, receipts, budgets, and news clippings.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by year of the event, which include correspondence and the pre-planning materials.

Acquisition

Transferred from Cranbrook Educational Community in July 1989.

Related Materials

Audio Cassette Tape Collection (1990-09)

Cranbrook Foundation RG I: Office Records (1981-05)

Henry Scripps Booth and Carolyn Farr Booth Papers (1982-05)

Transfers

The 1989 event was also recorded. The audio cassette tapes were relocated to the audio cassette tape collection.

Processing History

Processed by Leilani Ward, 2014.

Title
Guide to the Twelfth Night Records
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid written by Leilani Ward.
Date
2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Edition statement
Resource record created by Laura MacNewman.

Repository Details

Part of the Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Repository

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