Ira Hards papers, 1895-1937

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Cataloged and arranged.

• Series I: Correspondence
• Series II: Photographs
• Series III: Playscripts
• Series IV: 1975 Addition

Description

Summary

A collection of letters written by various personages in theatrical and literary circles to Ira A. Hards and his wife, the actor Ina Hammer Hards. Among the letters are seventeen from George W. Cable and nine from Mary Austin, both of whom collaborated with the Hards in certain dramatic compositions. The collection also includes account books, appointment books, photographs, playscripts, programs, scrapbooks, and materials related to the Westchester Theatre.

• Series I: Correspondence

• Series II: Photographs

• Series III: Playscripts

  This group of play scripts, chiefly of one-act plays, represents, for the most part, plays in which Ina Hammer (Mrs. Ira Hards) was the chief actress, author or co-author - sometimes a combination of these. Other authors, besides Mrs. Hards, include John Kendrick Bangs, the humorist, Harry Kemp, well-known poet and author and Evelyn Greenleaf Sutherland, a prolific writer of one-act plays for production.

  Mrs. Hards began her stage career in 1895 upon graduation from Sargents' School (now the American Academy of Dramatic Arts). She had leading parts in such productions as Barrie's Quality Street with Maude Adams; J.L. Allens' Choir Invisible in which she played the leading role; Mary Austin's The Squaw Woman and many others.

  In 1911 Mr. and Mrs. Hards organized a very successful stock company in Mount Vernon, N. Y. which Mr. Hards directed and in which Mrs. Hards shared the leading roles with Sara Perry. Upon the closing of this stock company in 1918, Mrs. Hards left the stage to devote her time to her growing daughter. She continued, however, to be active in dramatic circles in Mount Vernon for many years. These one-act plays represent activity in the first 15 or 20 years of her career.

• Series IV: 1975 Addition

  This addition includes account books, appointment books, programs, scrapbooks, and materials related to the Westchester Theatre.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

The following boxes are located off-site: Box 6 CMI. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Ira Hards correspondence; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Bonnell, Alice H. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1962. Accession number--M-62.

Source of acquisition--Bonnell, Alice H. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1975.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/89.

Revision Description

2021-02-26 EAD document created by CCR.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Ira Hards was primarily known as a theatrical producer.