Guide to C. Henry Nathan Collection
Collection Summary
Title: C. Henry Nathan Collection Call Number: MS 2002-7 Size: 4.5 linear feet Acquisition: Donated by C. Henry Nathan. Processed by: LED: 12/18/2001
Literary rights were granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.
This collection contains personal memorabilia and documents from C. Henry Nathan. He was known for acting, writing, and directing plays and musicals as well as his community involvement and leadership. The collection covers his life from Chicago to Wichita, 1932 through 1972. Contents include business correspondence, play bills, photographs, transcripts, informational brochures, and ephemera from Nathan's career.
C. Henry Nathan was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1912. He gained his bachelor's and master's degree from Northwestern University. Then in Chicago, he was active in writing, performing, and directing many plays for the stage and for radio dramas. Upon being recruited for WWII, 1942-1945, he kept his theme of performing and directing. For the US Navy, he wrote and directed training films.
Upon being hired by Coleman as director of advertising and moving to Wichita, Nathan began his own film company, Southwest Films. Through his company, he produced motion pictures, television commercials, and educational films. At this time, Nathan was also active in community causes in Wichita. He was an integral member of Wichita Community Theatre, as well as the Civic Musician's Association, Wichita Art Association, and Wichita Art Museum Association.
Nathan's intellectual pursuits continued while he was a public relations, advertising, and journalism lecturer for Wichita State University. He became involved in writing for the Greater Wichita Magazine and The Wichitan. He had daily arts broadcasts on KARD and KMUW radio as well as being on the KPTS board.
Nathan also became involved heavily in community expansion and improvement in Wichita. He was a committee member for the Century II building project, and a member of the Mid-American Indian Center Board, the Metropolitan Arts Board, Sister Cities Advisory Board, and the Wichita Arts Council. He was also the central figure in the building and installation of the Tripodal sculpture in Century II Plaza.
Nathan died November 23, 1999.
Sources for biographical information:
"C. Henry Nathan backed arts community," obituary, Wichita Eagle, Nov. 27, 1999.
Who's Who in Wichita, 1963 and 1980.
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Box 1 |
Chicago Theatre. This series includes photographs, playbills and other materials relating to the Chicago Theatre. The materials date between 1932 and 1942. |
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Box 2 |
Wichita Theatre. The files in this series includes scrapbooks, photographs, programs and other materials relating to theatre in Wichita. The materials date between the 1950s and 1970s. |
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Box 3 - Box 4 |
Wichita Community Involvement. These files include materials documenting C. Henry Nathan's community involvement. The majority of this series deals with his role in the development of Century II. The materials in this series date between the 1960s and 1970s. |
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Box 5 |
Personal Ephemera. The series includes personal ephemera and artifacts including awards and collectibles. |
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Box 6 - Box 7 |
Oversized. The items in this series include performance posters, drawings and photographs. |
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Box 1 |
FF 1 |
Chicago Women's Theater play bills and photos 1936-39 |
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Box 1 |
FF 2 |
North Shore Drama Festival, Chicago, advertisement and photos 1935 |
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Box 1 |
FF 3 |
"Play Parade" play bills and photos, Chicago, 1941-42 |
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Box 1 |
FF 4 |
Miscellaneous play bills, Chicago, 1936-38 |
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Box 1 |
FF 5 |
Rogers Park Masonic Temple musical programs, written by Nathan, Chicago 1932-35 |
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Box 1 |
FF 6 |
Miscellaneous photographs of Nathan and others, some labeled with play names, from Chicago. |
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Box 2 |
FF 1 |
Wichita Civic Music Association, information on visiting artists, 1963-64 |
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Box 2 |
FF 2 |
"Farewell to the Miller Theater" program and transcript of speech, Wichita, 1970. |
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Box 2 |
FF 3 |
Scrapbook contents for Katherine McGrath, affiliate artist, Wichita Community Theater, 1975-76; Scrapbook contents for Daniel Maloney, affiliate artist, Wichita Community Theater, 1977-78 |
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Box 2 |
FF 4 |
Wichita Community Theater play bills, photos, and newspaper clipping, 1952-71. |
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Box 2 |
FF 5 |
Miscellaneous personal documents, Wichita, 1959-72, concerning his film making company, arts councils, memorabilia |
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Box 3 |
FF 1 |
Cheney Reservoir Project information, 1961 |
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Box 3 |
FF 2 |
Preliminary advisory committee documents for Century II project, Wichita 1961-69, including original building design sketches. |
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Box 3 |
FF 3 |
Scrapbook contents of Century II dedication ceremony, Wichita, 1969. |
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Box 3 |
FF 4 |
Tripodal dedication program and transcript, with Wichita tourism information, 1971-72. |
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Box 4 |
FF 1 |
Publications and photos of Tripodal manufacture and installation, including correspondence for “Design in Steel Award,” 1971-72. |
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Box 4 |
FF 2 |
Photographs of Tripodal manufacture and installation, dedication ceremony of Century II, James Rosati - Tripodal artist, 1972. |
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Box 4 |
FF 3 |
Informational booklets from various organizations that Nathan participated in, including All Indian Center, Children's Theater, and Fine Arts Council,Wichita, 1975-76. |
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Box 5 |
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Ephemera, including “Design in Steel” award for Tripodal, film and sound recording produced by Nathan, roll of photo negatives, Wichita collectibles. |
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Box 6 |
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Oversized items include performance poster for musician Theodore Bikel, drawing of wheat statue, drawing for sculpture at Wichita City Hall, (2) performance posters for musician Ethel merman, poster for performance of Hamlet, drawings of statue, (2) portfolios of early day Wichita drawings (sponsored by Wichita Artists Guild), photograph of statue dedication (?). |
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Box 7 |
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Oversized items include framed artwork. |