Archive and Gallery

Archive and Gallery

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, the Seattle Theatre Group® Historic Theatres Library officially opened to the public. The dedication coincided with the initial opening of Seattle’s Paramount Theatre on March 1, 1928. In January 2020, the Historic Theatres Library changed its name to the Seattle Theatre Group Archive and Gallery.

To develop a historic theatre library for the Paramount, Moore and Neptune Theatres was the vision of Seattle Theatre Group®. The project began early in December 2010 in conjunction with the writing of the book entitled "Seattle's Paramount Theatre, From Birth to Rebirth and Beyond." It required the gathering, sorting, documenting, cataloging, and preserving over 100 years of historical data. With nearly 14,000 volunteers hours to date, this continues to be an on-going project.

The objective of Seattle Theatre Group® Archive and Gallery is three-fold:

• To ensure historical material that exists of the three theatres is properly preserved and documented for future generations.
• To provide an educational environment for youth that would offer an opportunity to learn and experience the remarkable history of the three theatres.
• To offer the community a setting in which to become better acquainted with the history and thereby develop a deeper understanding of three of the few remaining historic theatres in Seattle.

This valuable resource provided by Seattle Theatre Group® is a living legacy of history for these three theatres. The Archive and Gallery contains binders on a variety of topics from the performers that graced the stages over the many decades, a journey through the peaks and valleys that these theatres had to endure, wall hangings depicting the many challenges along the way, the visionaries responsible for these theatres, priceless memorabilia, and countless signed posters, along with a number of other posters that will be available for sale to the public. Also included in the Archive and Gallery are converted CD/DVDs of performers and events, along with Seattle’s Paramount Theatre opening night silent movie DVD entitled, “Feel My Pulse.”

The Archive and Gallery is located in the Paramount Theatre’s Office Tower, adjacent to the theatre. It is open to the public on Tuesday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Admission is free. In addition, the Archive and Gallery will be open for all public and student tours of the Paramount Theatre. Private group tours of the Archive and Gallery and theatre can be arranged by contacting Marian Thrasher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Photos by Jeff Goble Photography.

For an overview courtesy of HistoryLink.org, click here!

"Seattle's Paramount Theatre - From Birth to Rebirth and Beyond"

Author and historian for the Seattle Theatre Group®, M. Lynn Thrasher recently released a book entitled, “Seattle's Paramount Theatre – From Birth to Rebirth and Beyond.” This timeline historic journey offers the reader a 158 page colorful and graphic account dating back to early Seattle, taking the reader from theatre construction to current times. This book was written for a two-fold purpose: to provide an accurate and thorough account of the tumultuous events this theatre endured, and to provide revenue that will support the Seattle Theatre Group® Archive and Gallery. This informative book can be purchased online for $23.00 (includes shipping charges). To avoid shipping charges book orders can be made by calling 206-812-3304 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Readers Comments

"A note to let the author, M. Lynn Thrasher know what an immaculate job that was done of this book. Congratulations on a job superbly done."
Stewart Stern – Two-timed Oscar nominated and Emmy award winning screenwriter

". . .I am sleep deprived…your book is so fascinating – so many "immigrants" who were involved from the beginning. . . great job – congratulations."
Claire Tompkins – Volunteer Emeritus

"This book is really an excellent job. Especially liked the "nail biter" story of the theatre's near death and rebirth. The Rapp architects surely would appreciate the convertible floor system; they liked that kind of creativity."
Ward Rapp – Grand nephew of one of the Paramount Theatre architect Cornelius Rapp

". . . Unable to put it down. I can't imagine the long arduous hours of research and checking and rechecking source material. Great Job!"
Russ Evans - Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society Member

"The amount of research that went into this project was just phenomenal – photos and writing are great."
Judith Rosenthal – Granddaughter of Seattle (Paramount) Theatre – L.N. Rosenbaum

The Archive and Gallery Today

Today (2012), the Thrashers manage the library, aided by several dedicated volunteers. Currently, the library collection includes:

• Historic facts about The Paramount, Moore, and Neptune Theaters
• Extensive collection of many autographed show posters
• Extensive photo gallery of the three theatres
• Programs of touring Broadway shows
• Historical data on silent movies
• Historical data on the Paramount's Wurlitzer organ & Knabe piano
• Architectural drawings
• Performance information for all genres of entertainment -- vocal, instrumental, dance, lectures, variety shows, magicians, comedy, children's shows, Broadway shows, drama, and community-related events
• A DVD/CD collection of recorded performances
• A collection of early play bills from the Moore Theatre
• Books related to theater history
• Miscellaneous memorabilia and artifacts
• Memorabilia of the Paramount Theatre

Although the library's collection today is dominated by information about the Paramount -- the only theater actually owned by the Seattle Theatre Group® and the first to come under its management umbrella -- efforts to supplement the collections for the Moore and Neptune theaters are ongoing. The Neptune, in particular, is proving to be a challenge, but persistence pays. The Thrashers and the crew of other volunteers have amply demonstrated a willingness to put in the time and effort needed to document the history of all three venues currently operated by STG. They will continue to refine and supplement the collections and press their efforts to persuade those who have "borrowed" artifacts from the theaters over the years to either give or lend them back.

The Archive and Gallery is located in Suites 401 and 402 of the Paramount Building, at 9th Avenue and Pine Street. It is open to the public and staffed by knowledgeable volunteers on Tuesdays between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Other days and hours may be available upon special request and admission is free.

After years of research, the complete story of the Paramount's colorful history, titled Seattle's Paramount Theater -- From Birth to Rebirth and Beyond, written by Lynn Thrasher and edited by Marian Thrasher, was published in December 2012. Its 158 pages, liberally illustrated with vintage photographs, tell the colorful story of the magnificent theater from the earliest days to the present. It can be purchased directly from the STG library (206-812-3304), and total proceeds of the sale will be used to sustain the Archive and Gallery's mission.