Cramer Hansen Theatre Organ Collection

The Dorothy Cramer Hansen Theatre Organ Collection, housed in the Eastern Illinois University Archives, is a collection of sheet music assembled by Ms. Hansen mostly in the late 1920s, while she was working in Chicago as a theatre organist for silent films.  According to her sister, Eunice, Dorothy played all of the grand movie palaces of downtown Chicago, and many smaller houses in suburban areas.  Dorothy Verna Cramer was born on August 23, 1907, in Shelbyville, Illinois, and moved with her family to Chicago in 1917.  In 1940 she married Lawrence A. Hansen, a Chicago native, and the couple lived in Chicago for some time.  Later they moved to Mattoon, Illinois, where Dorothy's mother had been born, and not far from Dorothy's childhood home.  Dorothy resided in Mattoon until her death, on March 23, 1989--less than two weeks after her husband died.  Her music collection was bequeathed to Eastern's Music Department, but later was transferred to the University Archives.

Questions about collection may be directed to the Bill Schultz, University Archivist and Music Bibliographer, at 217-581-8457 during library hours. Inquiries may also be directed to the following e-mail address: wnschultz@eiu.edu