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Abbie Romey papers

 Collection
Identifier: IWA0146

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Scope and Contents

The Abbie Romey papers date from 1926 to 1993 and measure 5 linear inches. The papers are arranged in two series: Biographical information and Drama. The bulk of the collection relates to Romey's experiences on the Chautauqua circuit in 1926; it also includes memorabilia from theater productions.

The Biographical information series (1891; 1984-1993) includes reminiscences of Romey's Chautauqua experiences in a radio interview conducted in 1984, and two speeches from 1993, one of which is recorded on audiocassette. This series also includes the Journal of the Ninth National Convention of the Woman's Relief Corps, of which her mother was president.

The Drama series (1927-1930) includes Hawkeye articles featuring McHenry in University dramatic productions, and a plan for expanding the theater facilities at the University titled University Theatre in the Iowa Union. A bound copy of Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw, a play she greatly admired and from which she read excerpts, includes annotations by Romey. The series concludes with a scrapbook Romey kept from 1926 until 1930. It includes daily writings from the summer of 1926 while she traveled on the Chautauqua circuit with the Metropolitan Players, drawings, newspaper clippings, theatrical programs, and letters from friends.

Dates

  • Creation: 1891-1993

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

Abbie Anna McHenry Romey, actress and homemaker, was born in 1905 to William A. and Mary Sears McHenry in Denison, Iowa. She attended school in Denison until she was a senior in high school when she moved to Lake Forest, Illinois. Abbie McHenry graduated from high school in Lake Forest, attended junior college at Ferry Hall in Lake Forest, and graduated from the State University of Iowa (now the University of Iowa) in 1928, majoring in speech and dramatic art. While at the University, she performed in numerous theatrical productions. In the summer of 1926, McHenry was a member of the Metropolitan Players, a group of five university students who performed on the Chautauqua circuit for ninety-two consecutive days throughout the Midwest. In 1928, Abbie McHenry married Richard Romey and moved to Mason City, Iowa. The Romeys had three daughters and Richard Romey became a real estate agent. In the 1920s and 1930s, Abbie Romey directed dramatic productions for the Mason City Women's Club. Romey died in 1994.

Extent

5.00 linear inches

2 audiocassettes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Actress, homemaker, and 1928 graduate of the State University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Method of Acquisition

The papers (donor no. 213) were donated by Abbie Romey in 1994.

Related Materials

Mary Sears McHenry papers (IWA): Mary McHenry is the mother of Abbie Romey.

Author
Natalie Brody, 1995; Kate Stewart, 2006; Sharon M. Lake, 2007.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)