"The Gate City": artistry and identity in an American historical pageant

Abstract

In June 1916 community members in Lincoln, Nebraska organized an historical pageant entitled 'The Gate City: A Masque of Omaha.' The second in a series of three pageants, 'The Gate City' explored visions of Nebraska's past, present and future through the interpretation of two myths; one Omaha and the other Spanish. Using 'The Gate City' as a model, this thesis explores ways in which artifacts, histories and myths are appropriated as signifiers of an imagined past. This thesis frames 'The Gate City' within a wider movement of early twentieth century historical pageantry in America as well as Nebraska's history of struggle for economic and political stability. Through contextual analysis, surviving photographs, newspaper accounts of the time and the original manuscript this thesis explores how the creators of 'The Gate City' manipulated abstract histories to promote a myth and, ultimately, a town.