The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana

The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana Built in 1973, the museum is dedicated to the history of Tent Theatre in America.

Built and maintained by the Midwest old Settlers and Threshers Association, Inc., the Museum of Repertoire Americana officially opened September 1, 1973, reflecting the long-time dream of repertoire theatre company owners and actors Neil and Caroline Schaffner. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of memorabilia and artifacts of early repertoire theatre. The collection includes numerous pai

nted curtains and scenic pieces; costumes and equipment used by individual performers and technicians; playbills, show cards, advertising sheets, etc.; and an extensive research library of rare scripts, correspondence, tour schedules, production photos and other original source materials. Of special interest is the large collection of videotaped interviews with actual “troupers” describing their professional and personal experiences.

The museum has obtained this advertising postcard for The Bijou Theater starring J. Doug Morgan who went on to have his ...
05/03/2026

The museum has obtained this advertising postcard for The Bijou Theater starring J. Doug Morgan who went on to have his own tent theatre. As you see on the back of the card it says they changed the play twice a week and they have a matinee everyday but Monday! And that kitties is why Equity was invented! I will start research to nail down an approximate date and city.

The theater Museum was able to purchase this very rare poster c. 1880, of Yankee Robinson. Yankee took out the first tra...
04/28/2026

The theater Museum was able to purchase this very rare poster c. 1880, of Yankee Robinson. Yankee took out the first traveling theater in a tent in 1852. Your dues and donations enabled the museum to acquire this priceless item of tent Theater history.

We had some great visitors at the Museum today. They were an antique car group and here's a picture of some of their car...
04/24/2026

We had some great visitors at the Museum today. They were an antique car group and here's a picture of some of their cars. We had a great tour, lots of fun. I want to thank David Wagaman, Bob Mueller, and Claudia Streeter for helping to make this great fun. Thanks everyone!

The Theatre Museum received these two beautiful dolls today.  They were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Fisher from Fairfield, I...
02/11/2026

The Theatre Museum received these two beautiful dolls today. They were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Fisher from Fairfield, Iowa. The dolls were won on the Schaffner Players candy sale over 70 years ago. We are so delighted to have them.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my husband, Jimmy "Toby" Davis. Owner of the Schaffner Players from 1962 to 1998. Founding me...
01/18/2026

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my husband, Jimmy "Toby" Davis. Owner of the Schaffner Players from 1962 to 1998. Founding member of the National Society and Vice President for over 20 years.

The Theatre Museum in the snow.
12/04/2025

The Theatre Museum in the snow.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from The Theatre Museum! Have a great day!

We had wonderful visitors at the museum yesterday — Karen and Robert Fontanelle, and Robert’s sister, Lynne Fontanelle D...
11/07/2025

We had wonderful visitors at the museum yesterday — Karen and Robert Fontanelle, and Robert’s sister, Lynne Fontanelle Dauve. Their family’s show business roots go all the way back to the 1890s! They were able to tour the museum and look through the files we have on their family history. Their grandfather, Robert Fontanelle, started his own dramatic company in 1908 — The Fontanelle Stock Company.

Our traveling exhibit is now on display at the Coralville Public Library!  These panels share the story of tent theatre,...
11/05/2025

Our traveling exhibit is now on display at the Coralville Public Library! These panels share the story of tent theatre, including the lives of the real troupers involved in performances, what it was like to attend a show as an audience member, and features of the Theatre Museum's collection and its resources.

This display is a great opportunity to get an introduction to this great form of entertainment we continue to cherish and preserve.

It will be on display at the Coralville Public Library through December 10th.

10/26/2025

Address

405 East Threshers Road
Mount Pleasant, IA
52641

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(319) 385-9432

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