The Historical Scenic Collection is one of the largest scenic collections in the world, containing 90 opera settings, approximately 900 backdrops and over 2200 scenic units. The collection contains the scenic works of Oscar Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera Company, the Civic Opera Company of Chicago and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Historical Scenic Collection is housed at the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.
From the guide to the Historical Scenic Collection - Lyric Opera of Chicago, 1889-1932, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Performing Arts Archives, Manuscripts Division [paa])