University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Campus.

This was the site of mostly more sedate musical events – operas and such – but did host some folk and a little rock ‘n’ roll in its time.

One fun fact comes from Rick Liljeblad, a dedicated fan of Howdy Doody.  It concerns the link between Northrop and the term “Peanut Gallery,” which has become part of our vernacular.

While attending the University of Minnesota, Business and Advertising major E. Roger Muir worked on campus as an usher at Northrop Auditorium.  Students could purchase discounted concert tickets for 50 cents and Roger would seat them in the rear section of the balcony, which was affectionately referred to as the “Peanut Gallery.”  [This was a term from the days of Vaudeville, when kids in the worst seats would throw peanuts at bad performers.]

After serving in the Army Signal Corps during WW II, Roger found employment as a staff producer  at NBC in New York.  In 1947 NBC started airing the show “Puppet Playhouse,” hosted by Bob Smith and produced and directed by Roger.  It was Roger who christened the live studio audience of children the “Peanut Gallery.”  “Puppet Playhouse” became the “Howdy Doody Show,” and the rest is history!

Northrop Auditorium – photo from Minnesota Historical Society