Acquisition: 1989. Purchased from Herb Gahagen through the combined efforts of the University of Minnesota Theatre Arts Department, the University Libraries and outside donors.

Access: Open for research. The University of Minnesota Libraries - Manuscripts Division, contained in the Performing Arts Archives. They are located on the second floor of Elmer L. Anderson Library, 222 - 21^st Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455. To contact an archivist, please email mssref@tc.umn.edu or telephone 612-625-3550.

Processed by: University of Minnesota Undergraduate Research Opportunities Grant recipient, Wendy Rae Waszut 1990-1991.

Historical background:

Herb Gahagen, a retired scenic artist, acquired The Holak collection during the late 1980's. He salvaged all of the pieces from an abandoned scenic studio moments before a wrecking ball demolished the building. This collection represent a variety of scenic studios located throughout the Eastern United States of America at the turn-of-the-twentieth-century. The Holak Collection focuses on the first generation of stage design for fraternal organizations as conceptualized by a variety of scenic studios located throughout the Eastern United States of America. Containing over 183 pieces, this collection represents the some of the first theatrical elements supplied to fraternal organizations during the late-nineteenth and the early-twentieth century. Although a majority of the collection represents the work of one specific studio, Sosman and Landis (Chicago, Illinois), other studios, such as The New York Studio, are identifiable. In addition to designs for the Scottish Rite Temple of Freemasonry

Scope and contents:

This collection holds some of the earliest examples of theatrical designs for Masonic ceremonial staging. The subject matter, represented by 174 colored renderings and 8 pencil sketches, depicts not only the Scottish Rite Temple of Freemasonry, but also the York Rite Temple of Freemasonry. The York Rite was an alternative route from the introduction to Freemasonry, or Blue Lodge, to the Shrine. Although not as elaborate as the Scottish Rite, the York Rite's system of degrees also offered theatrical accoutrements for a fewer system of degrees. Many of the materials are held contain metal strips along the top of each piece that would have facilitated storage in a file cabinet.

Box 1 -25 pieces, including pencil sketches and colored renderings.

Box 2 -23 pieces, colored renderings.

Box 3 -25 pieces, colored renderings.

Box 4 -25 pieces, colored renderings. 5 are still framed and not contained in this box.

Box 5 -26 pieces, colored renderings. 5 are still framed and not contained in this box.

Box 6 -23 pieces, colored renderings.

Box 7 -26 pieces, colored renderings.

Box 8 -8 pieces, colored renderings.

Arrangement of the collection:

The pencil sketches and colored renderings are arranged in the archives by Masonic degree. The preliminary pencil sketches occupy the first box, yet still maintain organizations by numerical degree. The remaining colored renderings and model pieces are categorized by numerical degrees. This ordering goes from the 4º through the 32º of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Renderings pertaining to the Blue Lodge, York Rite, or Shrine are included after the 32º of the Scottish Rite.

Location of the collection: Performing Arts Archives located in suite #213 of the Elmer L. Anderson Library. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus, West Bank.

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URL: http://digital.lib.umn.edu/scenery/holak.htmlLast Revised: April 24, 2001