| Musical Mutual Protective Union | |
| Location Country: | United States |
| Affiliation: | Local 301 of the American Federation of Musicians from 1902 to 1921 |
| Members: | Musicians |
| Founded: | 1863 |
| Headquarters: | 209 East 85th Street Manhattan, New York City |
The Musical Mutual Protective Union (MMPU) was a New York union of musicians, formed in 1863, with a focus on payment made to musicians in theaters and at balls.[1] [2] [3]
In 1885, the union was open to "all instrumental performers, who have been residents of the United States for the period of six months previous to application."[4] Foreign musicians were not allowed to play in orchestras unless they were in a union.[2]
The union become Local 301 of the American Federation of Musicians in 1902.[5] In 1904, it had 5,000 members, who were almost entirely German.[2] [6] In 1910, approximately 300 black musicians were members in the roughly 8,000-member union.[4]
It was located at 209 East 85th Street in Manhattan, New York City, between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, in a building constructed in 1919. The building was later a theater and hall, a casino, and a waiters' union.[4] [5] The basement of the building now houses the Amsterdam Billiard Club.[5] The original facade on 85th Street is still extant.[5]
The union lost its charter in 1921.[5] In 1929 the union planned a mass march against joblessness, claiming 35,000 unemployed, but was unable to secure a parade permit from the police.[7] [8]