Apollo Archives

Ralph Cooper hosting Amateur Night

Overview

The Apollo Archives is a collection of physical and digital material documenting the history, legacy, and day-to-day operations of The Apollo. Taken together, these items tell the story of The Apollo, its ongoing contributions to American and global culture, and its deep connection to the Harlem community. The materials in the Apollo Archives span the entire length of the theater’s existence, from the building’s pre-Apollo burlesque era, to the Apollo’s launch in 1934, to the present day.

The Apollo Theater Archives were originally part of a series of retrospective projects that also included a traveling exhibition in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture – and the publication of a companion book, Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment – and The Apollo Theater Oral History Project in collaboration with the Columbia University Center for Oral History Research.

​​The Apollo Archives is not yet open to the public, as materials are currently being collected, cataloged, preserved, and digitized, but the Archives welcome your questions.

Brad San Martin Cropped

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is in The Apollo Archives?
  • What is NOT in The Apollo Archives?
  • Is The Apollo Archives the only resource for information and materials related to The Apollo?
  • Can the material in The Apollo Archives be viewed online or in person?
  • Can materials in The Apollo Archives be licensed for my book/documentary/TV show/article/website?
  • How can I contact the Apollo Archives?

Contact Apollo Archives

The Apollo Archives welcomes your questions about the Apollo, its history, legacy, and performances. Please provide as much information as you can in the contact form and allow 2-4 weeks for a response.

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