Description: This postcard of city hall in Celina, Ohio was sent in 1910. City hall was built in 1890 of brick with red sandstone trim. In addition to the mayor's office, council chambers, and other city offices, the building housed the City Opera House and the fire department. The postcard measures 3.5" x 5" (8.89 x 12.7 cm). View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3129_3832135_002
Subjects: Ohio Government; Architecture; Arts and Entertainment; City & town halls; Opera houses
Places: Celina (Ohio); Mercer County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated 1916, this is a portrait of opera singer and music teacher Katherine Geis. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1875, Katherine showed an interest in music and theater at an early age, possibly influenced by her father's participation in the A.G. Field Minstrel Show for many years. She made her first public appearance at age five as a little midshipman in "Pinafore" in Lancaster. She later appeared at the Schultz Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, where she sang selections from "Pinafore." At age twelve, she made her first professional appearance as Josephine from "Pinefore," and soon after enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Music. Katherine graduated at age eighteen and earned the Springer Gold Medal for her voice. After graduation, she performed in operas in Kentucky and worked for the Airon Opera Company and later married a tenor in the company, Charles Geis, in 1895. Geis was involved in many civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was a member of the Board of County Visitors, pianist and director for the Weller Theatre Orchestra, member and president for two years at the Thursday Morning Club, and forerunner of the Women's Choral Club, was its second president and served as director for many years. Throughout her life she taught music from her home. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00090
Subjects: Ohio Women; Women artists; Opera houses; Singers; Zanesville (Ohio)
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1920-1929, this is a portrait of Katherine Geis, opera singer and music teacher, seated on a stool. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1875, Katherine showed an interest in music and theater at an early age, possibly influenced by her father's participation in the A.G. Field Minstrel Show for many years. She made her first public appearance at age five as a little midshipman in "Pinafore" in Lancaster. She later appeared at the Schultz Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, where she sang selections from "Pinafore." At age twelve, she made her first professional appearance as Josephine from "Pinefore," and soon after enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Music. Katherine graduated at age eighteen and earned the Springer Gold Medal for her voice. After graduation, she performed in operas in Kentucky and worked for the Airon Opera Company and later married a tenor in the company, Charles Geis, in 1895. Geis was involved in many civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was a member of the Board of County Visitors, pianist and director for the Weller Theatre Orchestra, member and president for two years at the Thursday Morning Club, and forerunner of the Women's Choral Club, was its second president and served as director for many years. Throughout her life she taught music from her home. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00091
Subjects: Ohio Women; Women artists; Opera houses; Singers; Zanesville (Ohio)
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1910-1919, this photograph shows opera singer and music teacher Katherine Geis dressed in a kimono for her role as "Violet" in the opera "Tycoon." Born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1875, Katherine showed an interest in music and theater at an early age, possibly influenced by her father's participation in the A.G. Field Minstrel Show for many years. She made her first public appearance at age five as a little midshipman in "Pinafore" in Lancaster. She later appeared at the Schultz Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, where she sang selections from "Pinafore." At age twelve, she made her first professional appearance as Josephine from "Pinefore," and soon after enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Music. Katherine graduated at age eighteen and earned the Springer Gold Medal for her voice. After graduation, she performed in operas in Kentucky and worked for the Airon Opera Company and later married a tenor in the company, Charles Geis, in 1895. Geis was involved in many civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was a member of the Board of County Visitors, pianist and director for the Weller Theatre Orchestra, member and president for two years at the Thursday Morning Club, and forerunner of the Women's Choral Club, was its second president and served as director for many years. Throughout her life she taught music from her home. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00092
Subjects: Ohio Women; Women artists; Opera houses; Singers; Zanesville (Ohio)
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1940-1949, this photograph shows opera singer and music teacher Katherine Geis standing by an organ. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1875, Katherine showed an interest in music and theater at an early age, possibly influenced by her father's participation in the A.G. Field Minstrel Show for many years. She made her first public appearance at age five as a little midshipman in "Pinafore" in Lancaster. She later appeared at the Schultz Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, where she sang selections from "Pinafore." At age twelve, she made her first professional appearance as Josephine from "Pinefore," and soon after enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Music. Katherine graduated at age eighteen and earned the Springer Gold Medal for her voice. After graduation, she performed in operas in Kentucky and worked for the Airon Opera Company and later married a tenor in the company, Charles Geis, in 1895. Geis was involved in many civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was a member of the Board of County Visitors, pianist and director for the Weller Theatre Orchestra, member and president for two years at the Thursday Morning Club, and forerunner of the Women's Choral Club, was its second president and served as director for many years. Throughout her life she taught music from her home. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00093
Subjects: Ohio Women; Women artists; Opera houses; Singers; Zanesville (Ohio)
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: This playbill dated Friday, January 21, 1887, celebrates the 7th anniversary of the opening of Schultz & Co.'s Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio. The first page describes the opera house, its construction in 1879, and those who have contributed to its reputation for safety, acoustics, management, and fine appointments. At the bottom of the page is an advertisement for Graham & Co.'s Pharmacy located at 144 Main Street in Zanesville. The final page lists an upcoming performances and lists the cast of characters and actors. The play titled Michael Strogoff is based on Jules Verne's 1876 novel, " Michael Strogoff: The Courier of the Czar." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS559_B13F22_001_1
Subjects: Arts and Entertainment; Musical performance; Opera houses; Performers;
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)