05/28/2026
We can’t reach everyone efficiently by phone or email so we are taking the direct approach with this post. Apologies if it is a shock.
We are sad to announce the passing of Dorothy Bradley, Museum President Emeritus on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
She had health issues for the last couple years. She turned 80 last December 15th.
Dorothy was born, raised and lived in the San Francisco Bay Area all her life. She graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Chemistry and worked in the field her entire career. Dorothy moved to the historic district of Niles located in Fremont in 1996 and wanting to learn more about the community, became a member of the Niles Main Street Association. Some members wanted to focus on the film history of Niles and formed the Niles Essanay Preservation Committee, putting on the first Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival in 1998. After a few annual events, the planning group decided they wanted to form their own independent museum. The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum incorporated in 2002 with Dorothy serving as president until 2024.
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A memorial will be planned in the foreseeable future. If you want to express condolences to Stuart, please text him, rather than call. You are welcome to send condolences by snail mail to the silent film museum. Or send a DM to the museum page.
