William F. Hamilton, Jr. grew up in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Known as a scenic artist and inventor, Hamilton painted scenery for the Thalian Hall in Wilmington, North Carolina in both 1896 and 1899.
In 1896, the following article appeared in the Wilmington newspaper”
“Everything is now in readiness at the Oper House for the opening of the season. To use a trite expression, the new drop curtain which has just been completed by the well known scenic artist, Mr. W. F. Hamilton, of the Standard Theatre, New York, city, is “out of sight.” The new curtain is a very handsome one. The large centre scene represents the coast of Cornwall, showing the high cliffs, upon the tops of which are the homes of the fishermen and natives of this dangerous coast. Mr. Hamilton and his clever assistant, Mr. F. C. Peckham, showed a STAR reporter yesterday several superb set scenes, which they have just completed, in conjunction with the curtain, for the management of the house. The handsome old curtain, which has for many years past done excellent service, has also undergone repairs, and has thrown off its roller and will “slide up” like its companion.” Hamilton transformed the 1858 drop curtain by Russell Smith into a fly drop.
The first mention of Hamilton as a scenic artist that I have located to date was published on the June 15, 1888, “Northumberland Country Democrat” of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. The article noted, “W. F. Hamilton, of Lancaster, a scenic artist, is in Sunbury on business” (page 1). That summer, Hamilton moved to New York wehere he continued working as a scenic artist. On August 1, 1888, an article in the “Pottsville Republican” confirmed his move to New York reporting, “W. F. Hamilton, a scenic artist, of New York City, is domiciled at the Merchants’ Hotel. He is at work on a 5×5 feet lawyers card with a view of Tumbling Run in the center, which he is placed at the Court House” (page 4). As with many scenic artists of the time, Hamilton also worked as a sign painter early in his career before securing larger theatrical projects.
In 1890, his hometown newspaper, “News Herald” of Franklin, PA, noted a summer visit. On August 13, 1890, “Our Card Basket” reported, “Mrs. W. F. Hamilton, of Johnstown, and her son, W. F. Hamilton Jr., have been the guest of the lady’s brother, B. Moffett. The son is a rising young scenic artist of New York city, He left this morning for Nashus, N. H.”
Hamilton appears in the “Boston Post” two years later. On September 5, 1892, the Personal Section of the paper included, “W. F. Hamilton, the scenic artist, is again in this city, after having finished his contract placing two curtains in the Academy of Music at Pittsfield” (page 4).
Hamilton worked as a scenic artist all along the eastern seaboard at a variety of venues throughout the 1890s, including in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1896. It was only after my visit to give a presentation about 19th century scenery in Wilmington, that I discovered the Thalian Hall’s connection to Hamilton, Thomas G. Moses, and New York Studios, the eastern affiliate of Sosman & Landis. This was almost as exiting as seeing the Russell Smith curtain from 1858, as I have never encountered scenery produced by New York Studios.
In 1896, Hamilton was associated with the Standard Theatre in New York city as both the scenic artist and stage manager for the venue. He also worked at the Star Theatre in New York. By 1899, he was listed as the scenic artist for the Columbia Theatre in Boston. That year, “The North Adams Transcript” published an article “Columbia Scenery and New Exit” (North Adams, Massachusetts, 10 Mar 1899, page 5). The article noted, “The trustees of the F.M.T.A. society awarded the contract to Hamilton to complete the work. Of Hamilton as an artist, the article continued, “He has an excellent reputation, and will provide a complete set of scenery, with drop and fireproof curtains. It is expected that some of the scenes will be more elaborate than anything the house has had.”
Although Hamilton would continue to work as a scenic artist for decades to follow, he was also a well-known inventor of theatrical effects. This skill set expanded when he established the scenic studio with Moses called Moses & Hamilton. They would develop a series of startling scenic effects for both the stage and amusement park attractions. More in that subject tomorrow.
To be continued…
