2022-02-11 Guide to the William F. Kilmer Papers from his Involvement in "Night Birds" Vaudeville Tour and Subsequent Performing Arts Career, 1900-1912 SPEC.TRI.WFK Finding aid prepared by Audrey Wimbiscus Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2021 September This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2022-02-11T14:31-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard William F. Kilmer Papers from his Involvement in "Night Birds" Vaudeville Tour and Subsequent Performing Arts Career SPEC.TRI.WFK Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 1.63 Cubic feet 1900-1912 William F. Kilmer was an American actor who performed in vaudeville from circa 1906 through circa 1912; in 1909-1910, he was on tour as a cast member of Gus Edwards' "Night Birds," a musical comedy. The William F. Kilmer Papers from his Involvement in "Night Birds" Vaudeville Tour and Subsequent Performing Arts Career date from 1900-1912. They consist of items collected by Kilmer over the course of his vaudeville career during these years, including two scrapbooks, programs, and photographs depicting Kilmer's time with "Night Birds," signed photographs from fellow vaudeville performers on the "Night Birds" tour, and papers related to Kilmer's performing arts career following the tour. (1) 2.5" letter document box; (1) oversize folder; (1) oversize flat box; (1) card box English Kilmer, William F. Arrangement of Materials

This collection is arranged chronologically, and alphabetically by given item title within the same date.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. TRI.WFK.0302: Carol Kilmer Cornell, 1993 August

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], William F. Kilmer Papers from his Involvement in "Night Birds" Vaudeville Tour and Subsequent Performing Arts Career, SPEC.TRI.WFK, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute, Ohio State University

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2021 September; finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2021 September

 Biographical Note

William Frederick Kilmer (1884-1958) was an American actor who performed in vaudeville shows from circa 1906 through circa 1912. From 1909-1910, Kilmer was on tour as a cast member of producer Gus Edwards' musical comedy vaudeville production "Night Birds," which featured actress Nellie Brewster as a soloist, and had a further cast of six women and six men. Following his tour with "Night Birds," Kilmer looked for further work in the performing arts.

 Scope and Contents

The William F. Kilmer Papers from his Involvement in "Night Birds" Vaudeville Tour and Subsequent Performing Arts Career date from 1900-1912, and consist of items collected by Kilmer over the course of his vaudeville career during these years. Much of the collection consists of photographs, programs, and scrapbooks that depict Kilmer's time as a member of the vaudeville touring cast of "Night Birds." Also included are signed photographs from fellow vaudeville performers on the "Night Birds" tour, and other printed ephemera related to these performers, as well as casual photographs in an album of tour members sightseeing trips. Finally, the collection includes items such as correspondence and a performance contract, which reflect Kilmer's performing arts career following the "Night Birds" tour.

 Edwards, Gus, 1879-1945 Kilmer, William F. Actors--Social networks--United States--20th century Actors--United States--20th century Advertising--Performing arts--20th century Black-and-white photographs Night birds Printed ephemera Revues--United States--20th century Scrapbooks Theater programs Traveling theater--United States--20th century United States--Description and travel--20th century Vaudeville shows--United States--20th century Vaudeville--United States--20th century "Night Birds" tour members, friends, family portrait photographs 2 1 1900-1911 Gordon (Kitty) signed portrait photograph 1 1 1900s Unidentified vaudeville company in blackface photograph 1 2 1900s Unidentified vaudeville company in Renaissance costumes photograph 1 3 1900s Edwards (Gus) produced vaudeville acts portrait photographs 2 2 1906-1910 "Night Birds" cast casual photograph 2 3 1909 September Poli's New Haven "Night Birds" program 2 4 1909 September 13 McCarty (Paul) portrait photograph 2 5 1909 November 8 Brewster (Nellie) portrait photograph 1 4 1909-1910 Carouso (Enrico) photograph postcards 2 6 1909-1910 Edwards (Gus) "High Flyers" women of 'Night Birds' photograph 1 5 1909-1910 Lockwood (Gladys) signed portrait photograph 2 7 1909-1910 "Night Birds" cast onstage with backdrop photograph 1 6 1909-1910 "Night Birds" season scrapbook 3 1 1909-1910 "Night Birds" tour scrapbook 3 2 1909-1910 "Night Birds" tour sightseeing photograph album 2 8 1909-1910 "Night Birds" tour members portrait photographs 2 9 1909-1910 "Night Birds" cast in automobiles photograph 2 10 1910 March 4 Orpheum Seattle "Night Birds" program 2 11 1910 March 28 Kilmer (William) and Carroll Beerbower contract 1 7 1910 November 15 Edwards (Gus) "Night Birds" men cast photogaph 1 8 1910 Professional correspondence 2 12 1910-1912 Caruso (Enrico) 'Dreams of Long Ago' performance poster 1 1912