Pauline Cullom Sheffer papers, 1920-1924.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

Housed with John Donelson Whalley Theatre Scrapbook.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: A variety of materials, related mostly to the performing arts in Nashville, Tenn. in the early 1920s. Items include performance programs, news clippings, and other material. Some items have minor damage, and some appear to have been removed from a scrapbook or show other signs of having been glued down in the past. Many of the programs contain photographic illustrations.

Subjects include classical music, dance, and singing, including performances by: Rosa Ponselle; Anna Pavlowa [sic]; Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, and the Denishawn Dancers; Lada; students of the Camerata College of Music and English; and others. Pianist Alfred Cortot performed by "accompanying himself" on the Duo-Art Reproducing Piano, a player piano. Many of the performances occurred at the Ryman Auditorium. Two programs are about performances sponsored by the Kiwanis and the Ladies Auxiliary of U.C.T. [United Commercial Travelers?] Nashville Council 102. Other topics include the sale of mortgage bonds by Caldwell & Company for the construction of the Andrew Jackson Hotel, and Vanderbilt football games against Sewanee (University of the South).

Some of the programs list Polly Sheffer as a performer. Some programs from Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn have been annotated, with an arrow pointing to an individual in group scenes, labeled "Lenora." This is probably a reference to Lenore Sheffer, who may be related to Pauline. A clipping about Lenore is included on the back of the oversize item, which primarily features a photgravure of Anna Pavlova.

Cite as: Pauline Cullom Sheffer Papers, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

Nashville Public Library does not have intellectual property rights to these materials.

Many items are fragile. Please handle with care. Ask permission before photocopying.

Stewart Lillard, Jr.;,Gift;,2007,Acc. 2007.006.

Pauline Cullom Sheffer was born in 1904 and died in 1987. Her husband was Stewart Lillard, Sr., and they had a child, also named Stewart. As a young woman, Pauline, nicknamed "Polly," attended the Camerata College of Music and English in Nashville, Tenn. in 1921, where she studied "expression" and performed in a play. She also was a dancer. She may have been related to Lenora (or Lenore) Sheffer, who is also mentioned in the collection. Lenora was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward O. Sheffer, formerly of Nashville. Details about the rest of the two women's lives are not known.

In English

In the possession of Stewart Lillard, Jr., son of Pauline Cullom Sheffer (Mrs. Stewart Lillard) until donated to the Nashville Public Library in 2007.

Process;,2012;,Tracey Howerton.

Catalog;,2014;,Linda Barnickel.

No further accruals are expected.