The Naff Collection

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The Naff Collection

The Naff Collection is named after Lula Naff, the manager of the Ryman Auditorium from 1920-55, having previously been a booking agent for the venue years prior. Dating from 1901-1955, this collection is an array of items Ms. Naff kept and later bestowed to Francis Robinson, then assistant manager of the Metropolitan Opera, at her retirement in 1955. Robinson later donated the collection to the Nashville Public Library. It is because of her dedication to the Ryman and custom of keeping memorabilia that this collection has been able to be enjoyed nearly a century later. The Naff Collection is an assortment of the Ryman’s program booklets, photographs, posters, advertising announcements, letters, and more over that nearly 55 year stretch of time.

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SNAC Resource ID: 11675895

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Naff, Lula C., 1875-1960

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kq8v6d (person)

America’s First Lady of theater management served as general manager of Ryman Auditorium from 1920 until her retirement in 1955. She was a rare female gem in a male dominated industry. She even went by L.C. Naff to avoid criticism and bias. Her influence on the Ryman really began in 1904, as a secretary/bookkeeper for the Delong Rice Lyceum Bureau that booked entertainment for the Ryman. When the agency dissolved in 1913, the widow had to come up with a way to continue taking care of her young d...