Adams, Milward, 1857-1923

Chicago classical music series manager, and manager of the Auditorium Theater from 1889 to 1910.

Milward Adams was born in Kentucky in 1857, and came to Chicago in 1870 to work as an errand boy for Wilson Brothers Clothiers. He became associated with the manager of Chicago's Central Music Hall, George B. Carpenter, who also managed lectures and concerts series. Adams worked for Carpenter and started at the bottom, sweeping up after shows and manning the ticket window. After Carpenter's death he began to manage the Central Music Hall as well as several musical series, including the Theodore Thomas Summer Garden Concerts and the Mapleson Operatic Festival. Beginning in 1889 he began managing the Auditorium Theater and its varied series of operas, recitals, and lectures. He was also the first manager of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under conductor Theodore Thomas, from 1891 to 1894. Adams retired from managing the Auditorium in 1910, and died Jun. 18, 1923. Adams's career as theater manager allowed him access to many lecturers and artists, some of whom (like Theodore Thomas) became close friends. Adams had autographed photographs of these people mounted on the walls of his office at the Auditorium.