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Letter from Canbrook Schools / Kingswood on Five Flags_11.20.1973u One of Inc insliluliona t com Orlsm9 the , Crenbrook EducalionM / Cullurel Center .i it cmnBROOK SCHOOLS mnGSWOOD November 20, 1973 Dear Waynee It was very satisfying to talk with you utld have you sharp in our celebration. And it was particularly gratifying to know that you have been thinking of m© in connection with the initial stops in opening the Five Flags, oven though I have been so remiss in maintaining contact during this summer and. fall of work on the dissertation. I an4 Ccr 11 1c ; cu "fill enjoy reading the Corzpl°tod story of theatres in Dubuque to 1877. liany new aspects Caine to light as I began analysing the material collected. On° whole chapter is dovotOd to the German theatre, Gardens and Concert Saloons, and part of Chapter VI shows th° re- lationship of the Gorman and "Ac.erican" sog»ents of the population in regard. to the construction of the "Third Turner Hall" in 1873 and the "Duncan-jialler Opera House" in 1877. I have included. throe appendices covering all professional companies at all theatres during the period.; an alphabetical listing of all actors and managers to appear; anda rathor complete sulawary of circus activity which contains enough raatorial for a separate study on circuses. 885 Crenbrook Road P.O. Box 805, Bloomfield Hills, Mlchi,eenn 48013 Tel. (313) 644-1600 A Unit o/ Cranbrook ECucaboa.l Community CRanBROOK SCHOOLS/KInGSWOOD -2- There are so many more areas to be researched and concluded that by comparison with what is yet to be done, my work seems like a feeble beginning, But it is a good. start. In my mind right now are four separate thoughts which I would like to share with you in writing so that you might have time to consider them before we get together at Christmas. The first thought pertains to the position you described. I am excited and very interested as I said in our conversa- tion but I have some questions. 1. What would the specific job description be? Coordinator, planning supervision. . .7 2, what would specific relationships be with the Res. Department, Orpheum Theatre, Convention Center. i,e., chain of command and responsibilities for decision making. 3. what is the current status of ideas on items tnd. events to be included. 4, would. the facilities be separated and. be required to make their own financialray? What is the projected fiscal policy? 5e what are the bong range plans for the relationship of the project with the city? Ultimate responsibility? 885 Cranbrook Road P.O. Box 805. 6loomlield Hdti Michigan 48013 Tol. (313) 644-1600 Cranbrook Edocelional Gommenily CRanBROOK SCHOOLS / mnGSWOOD -3- I should add. at this point that I do have a certain reservation in my mind. about taking another leave of absence from Cranbrook. The results of my 41oave last year were unfortunate. A substitute was found to fill my post, but when I returend for the beginning of the second somester, I was confronted with disaster on every side. The student morale, organization and. momentum I had carefully cultivated over the years was destroyed, and. only this year have I been able to right the ship and trim the sails, so to speak. The offect of this experience has indicated that a leave may not be the most advantageous approach. On the other hand, Brigie and. I are at the point of making choices and assessing persona3/plans and opportunities for the future. Frankly, locating in Dubuque has a strong appeal for us. Titus we are led into the realm of pond.ering the possibilities of staying on in Dubuque after the centennial year. Second, I have an idea that might be proposed to the colleges of the city —ea series of courses in Dubuque History. They could. take the form of regular course offorings or as adult education courses. In either case, it would be another opportunity for the schools to reach out to the community at large. The areas of eastorn Iowa, sourthwestern 885 Cranbrook Road P.O. Be. 805. Ffloomlleid H1115. Michigan 48013 Tel. (813) 644-1600 A llnit of Cnahb,00k Educational Community it CRa[16ROO1f SCH®0L5 / mnGSWOOD Illinois would be Wisconsin and northwestern included,. The d be half lecture and half actual research and format cool research in touring and thus be a sour cc for continuing selected areas of Dubuque Eiistory• There is the possibility of offeriang a course concerning itself exclusively With theatre and production in the nineteenth century, but it may desired. To those courses, I not have the wide appeal as director, designer, and instructor could. bring my experience in all the theatre arts, be the Most difficult for Dubuauers 1:1y third thought may to appreciate inumed.iate7.y• After three summers of searching In vain for elements of Dubuquees history that would provide a coordinated Picture of social, cultural, industrial and. 1t seems desirable to me that Dubuque should economic growths an and archivist. His office should have a full-time histori be devoted, to actively uncovering the historical facts at every stage of the city`s development, The Aluseum is the repository, but continuing and. coordinated research is the only method that can provide a moans of assessing the significance of material collected and. can proporly determine its value to the city,, tradition. Such an office would be responsible for drawing up a plan of attack for the research, rlajor crtagories, sub - For example, headings and a detailed outline are required.. Tel. (a181 644-1600 885 Cranbrook Food F.O. Box 805, Bloomfield Fllls, Michigan d8018 A unit of Clnnbrook Educational Community ' I' II I cmnBROOK scr50oLs / von swoon and the outline would Architecture would be a main heading forming develop the over —view of an architectural survey the base for a plan of preservation and restoration. I ARCHITECTURE A. Civic 1. Governnionnt (city) 20 Fire department 3. court houses y, jails 5- markets 13, Theatrical (see study) C. Residential D. Recreational S. Educational Etc. This office would be repponsi.ble for organizing a community education program aimed at promotiang a city—wide interest in all the aspects of Dubuque°s tradition* I-rrom such an office 1•tould come an endless supply of specific items to be included in the collection research for is a list of some that come to mind* for the "mural." Here 865 Cranbrvok Road P.O. B0, 005, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48013 Tel. (018) 644-1600 A Unit of Cranbrock EOuc¢tlonnl Community CRanBROOK SCHOOLS / mnGSWOOD 1. The story of Industrial Growth cooper Wagons wood Working cleat racking Wholesaling 2. The story of Banking in Dubuque (J. Ylumbo Trans -Con idea The story of Dubuque's Railroads (Transportation r 3, street RailwaYs) 4. The story of City Government Formation Personalities 5 The story of Farming 6. The story of the Street Light 7 The story of the Taaiostars S. The story of the btarket (5) 9. The story of the Germans (Gas company, Electric Power) The Turnerverein Their Theatres Their Gard.ons Their Concert Saloons Their Social and Cultural Contributions 10. The story of Inventors from Dubuque The flying machine The safety coupler The iron-apropollor steamer The tlar,Ihf-proof window 11. The story of daudoville in Dubuque. 12. The story Of the Novi" in Dubuque 13• The story of Theatre manager Jake Rosenthal 14. The Great Fires inlDubuque 15. The story of paseball in Dubuque 16. The story of ,11 book Hal F' Oox 605, bloomf,0d Hllls, Mlcbi9 an d801] ToL 1519) 64M1 1600 Dubib�9ua s A Famers A Unit of Cranbrook EdUCallnnnl Commumty CRa► m'001C SCHOOLS / mnGSWOOD Tho fourth thought is a longor-ranged idea" The Orpheum and. FivoFlags as Headquarters for the Upper Mssiss9.ppi Theatre Union. I see this aB an effort that wouldpromote s by local colleges, local community live theatre performance and others from Chicago, 1•Iilwaukee, Minneapolis, theatre groups' Performances St. Paul, western Iowa and northern Illinois. ' s best would. be arranged a year in advance and Dubuque participating theatres. Attempts would. perform on a circuit o£ p but it seems at this are being made on the national Level, uceossful try on a smaller scale could prove likely that + the worth andworkability of the idea. ldayno, You and the Five Flags idea have put Dubuque back in the lead as the "ICey City„ i, of Iowa. Long range plannng and inovation can help to keep it there. continuing research g the Lead Out" Finally, I have material for "Getting including some fascinating characters, many Dubuquors. Once I get the "book" written, I will be in the market for a composer. lzoep your ears open. I aeager to have your reactions to all o£ the above. m I will be in touch whoa 1ae arrive at Christmas time. Thanks again for keeping us in mind����"" l . S BB5 Cranbrook Road P.O, box 805. Bloomliclo Hills. MichiOon 48010 T.I. (310) 644-1600