Venue(s):
Banvard's Opera House [JUNE 1867-]
Wood's Museum and Metropolitan Theatre
Proprietor / Lessee:
Phineas Taylor Barnum
George A. F. Wood
Samuel Colville
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
20 July 2020
“Mr. George Wood and Mr. Samuel Colville, who have leased the property now known as Banvard’s Museum, announce that the building, which is to be thoroughly reconstructed, will be ready for the public about the 1st of September. It is to be renamed ‘Wood’s Museum and Metropolitan Theatre.’ The new proprietors have been lucky enough to interest Mr. Barnum in the enterprise, and in a letter which that venerable showman has written upon the subject to Messrs. Wood and Colville he says: ‘As I have no intention to “rust out,” but from a life habit require occupation, both mentally and physically, for a portion of my time, I accept your proposition, and you may, it desirable announce [sic] that I will hereafter, on your behalf, respond to all such communications, and will bind myself to have no interest in any other Museum or place of amusement in this City.’”
“Wood’s Museum and Metropolitan Theatre…
Proprietors…Wood & Colville
Manager…George Wood
Business Manager…Samuel Colville
The above title has been adapted for the situation heretofore known as the Banvard Opera House and New-York Museum, covering an area of about one hundred feet fronting on Broadway by two hundred in depth, now under process of thorough reconstruction for the purpose of a Museum and Theatre, and will be in readiness for the reception of the public on or before Sept. 1, 1868, at a contemplated outlay of $100,000 to $150,000.
The invaluable influence of the renowned P.T. BARNUM, ESQ., for the advancement of the Museum Department, has been secured, as is evidenced by the following correspondence:”
[Provides exchange of letters between Wood and Barnum.]