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Creator
Mackay, Constance D'Arcy
Call number
*T Mss 1992-033
Physical description
.6 linear feet, (2 boxes
Preferred Citation

[Item], Constance D'Arcy MacKay papers, *T Mss 1992-033, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

The Constance D'Arcy MacKay Papers consist of correspondence, clippings, photographs, programs and writings pertaining to her career as a writer and director or pageants and plays. Included as well are articles written by her husband, Roland Holt. The collection spans the years 1912-1939.

Biographical/historical information

Constance D'Arcy MacKay was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of Robert and Anne (D'Arcy) MacKay. She was educated at Boston University (1903-1904) and began her writing career in 1905. She is most famous as a writer of pageants and children's plays. Some of her works include: The Pageant of Patriotism(Prospect Park, Brooklyn, N.Y.: 1911)The Historical Pageant of Schenectady, N.Y.(Schenectady, N.Y. : 1912), The Historical Pageant of Portland, Maine (Portland, Me. : 1913), and The Pageant of Sunshine and Shadows, also known as The Child Labor Pageant (New York, N.Y. 1916). Her writings for children include: The Silver Thread,The Magic Mirror,and The Boy Franklin.She married publisher and writer Roland Holt in 1923.

Scope and arrangement

The Constance D'Arcy MacKay papers consist of correspondence, clippings, programs, and writings documenting the life and career of Ms. MacKay and her husband, Roland Holt. The papers span the years 1902-1955, though most of the materials range from 1910-1940.

The Constance D'Arcy MacKay papers are arranged in seven series:

  • Series I - Correspondence
    1902-1955
    .2 linear feet

    The Correspondence Series consists of letters primarily to Constance D'Arcy MacKay concerning her career as a writer of pageants and children's plays. There is a small number of letters belonging to her husband Roland Holt. Correspondents include: Beatrice Cameron Mansfield, Kate Douglas Wiggin (Mrs. Roggs), and Nora Archibald Smith. There is also a letter from Otis Skinner and one from Edward Everett Hale.

  • Series II - Ephemera
    .1 linear feet

    The Ephemera Series consists of postcards, invitations, biographical material, a tribute to George Bernard Shaw, miscellaneous programs and Ms. MacKay's wedding announcement.

  • Series III - Organizations
    ca. 1907
    2 folders

    The Organization Series consists of a membership list from the American Pageant Association and the constitution and by-laws for the Pen and Brush Club.

  • Series IV - Photographs
    .1 linear feet

    The Photograph Series consists of both personal photographs of Ms. MacKay and friends and photographs from pageants. There is also postcard photographs of Quillcote in Hollis, Maine, which was the summer home of Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin.

  • Series V - Pageants and Plays
    ca. 1911-1916
    .1 linear feet

    The Pageants and Plays Series consists of programs, announcements, scripts and outlines from various pageants and children's plays written by Constance D'Arcy MacKay. Of special note is the material on The Pageant of Sunshine and Shadow (child labor pageant), The Historical Pageant of Schenectadyand The Memorial Day Pageant.

  • Series VI - Writings
    .05 linear feet

    The Writings Series consists of materials other than plays and pageants written by Constance D'Arcy MacKay, Roland Holt, and other friends. Of special note is an autographed copy of The Old Peabody Pewwritten by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin.

  • Series VII - Clippings
    .05 linear feet

    The Clippings Series consists of material about the life and career of Constance D'Arcy MacKay and her personal and professional associates. Included are newspaper articles about various pageants she wrote and which were performed in New York State and New England. Of special note are clippings related to the Town Hall Club Dinner in honor of George Bernard Shaw.

Administrative information

Custodial history

The papers of Constance D'Arcy MacKay were discovered in 1992 in The Billy Rose Theatre Division as a result of a survey of the division's holdings. At that time the collection was reprocessed and a finding aid created. The materials were in good condition, though some conservation of newspaper items was required. The papers were most probably the gift of Nina Jeaane Nourse but the date of the acquisition and positive identification of the donor is not available.

Source of acquisition

Gift, Nina Jeanne Nourse, 10/20/1992

Processing information

Processed by Mary Ellen Rogan.

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish contact the Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Access restrictions

Photocopying prohibited.