The collection contains treasures of the performing arts ranging from the Gold Rush Era to the present time. It holds a part of the preeminent history of the performing arts and the unique history of San Francisco. The Museum's diverse collection includes books, periodicals, playbills, clippings, photographs, posters, sheet music, plays and librettos, radio interviews, videotapes, musical theater recordings, the Legacy Oral History Program, the Theater Film Archive, theater design research materials, costumes and set design renderings, personal papers of performers, patrons and critics, as well as the archive of several local performing arts organizations.