Collection number: MC 279 [Offsite Storage]
Size: 13 boxes
(13 cu.ft.)
About the Country Dance Society, Boston Centre
The Country Dance Society, Boston Centre (CDS-BC) was founded in 1915 as the Boston branch of the English Folk Dance Society (EFDS). The object of the Society (from the preamble to the U.S. Branch Constitution) was "To disseminate a knowledge of English Folk-Dances, Singing-Games and Folk-Songs and to encourage the practice of them in their traditional forms."
In 1940 the national organization of EFDS reincorporated as the Country Dance Society (now CDSS, the Country Dance and Song Society) and today is considered the "parent organization" of the Country Dance Society, Boston Centre, as well as of hundreds of other organizations.
The Country Dance Society, Boston Centre continues to preserve and promote the knowledge and practice of the traditional and contemporary dancing and dance music of England and New England. The Boston Centre sponsors and produces classes, parties, workshops, and residential and special events featuring the best performers and practitioners of English and New England country dancing.
About the Country Dance Society-Boston Centre Collection
Materials in this collection reflect the internal structure and outreach activities of EFDS-BB/CDS-BC, 1915-1999, including historical, executive committee, financial and dance publicity papers. Extensive member lists, Pinewoods Dance Camp materials, correspondence, dance series papers, and other related papers are included, along with two Morris dancing outfits. Newer CDS-BC materials can be found in the George Fogg Collection (MC 280).
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
This collection is open.
This collection is held at our offsite storage facility. Please contact us more than 48 hours prior to your arrival to ensure the materials are ready to view.
Copyright Notice
Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], [Folder], [Box], Country Dance Society, Boston Centre, 1900-2000, MC 279, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Gift of creator, 2016
Related Material
MC 280 George Fogg Collection at Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire
MC 140 Country Dance and Song Society Collection at Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshires
Separated Material
Books and audio tapes are stored with the main collection.
Collection Arrangement
Collection is in original order as received.
Collection Contents
| Box 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| American, English, and Ritual Dance Activities 1944-1994
American Dance Committee correspondence and vouches (1944-1985), English Country Dance series committee meetings and vouches (1978-1994), and papers from the planning and execution of the Ritual Dance Series (1982-1993). | ||
| Box 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Historical and Committee Materials 1929-1999
Early oral and written history related to the founding of CDS-BC, as well as membership lists and committee notes 1940-1999, Nominating Committee notes 1950-1999, publicity 1929-1999, and Morris Ale programs 1980s-1999. Also included are by-laws, membership, correspondence, and tours of the Pinewoods Morris Men (PMM) of which Fogg has been a long time member. | |||
| Box 3 | |||
| Physical and Financial Support 1949-1999
Statement of CDS-BC artistic vision, organizational materials for dance demonstrations at NEFFA and other venues, as well as specific details of physical property (i.e. pianos, sound systems, etc.), reports on search committees for library/office/performance locations, and scholarship/memorial fund materials. | 1 | ||
| Box 4 | |||
| One-Time and Series Dances 1929-1999
Consists predominantly of fliers, programs, organizational materials, and other materials from various single instance and ongoing dance series sponsored by CDS-BC. These include Cardigan Weekends 1951-1990, Christmas Parties 1930s-1990, Playford Balls 1980-1991, Summer Dance Series 1983-1991, and various single dances dated 1929-1990. Also included are materials for the English Food Booth at NEFFA, 1960-1999. | |||
| Box 5 | |||
| By-Laws and Executive Board Papers 1915-1979
Minutes, correspondence, by-laws, annual meeting reports, financials, etc. from CDS-BC’s Executive Board. Included is documentation of the organization’s name change from English Folk Dance Society Boston Branch to the Country Dance Society, Boston Centre in 1940. Includes a town-by-town report of classes being held in Massachusetts for the year of 1915. | |||
| Box 6 | |||
| Executive Board Minutes, Financials, Leases 1980-1999
Reports, minutes, some correspondence and other paperwork for the CDS-BC Exec. Board. Lease Agreements for various Boston properties and dance halls (1942-1999) and financials (1951-1971) from Box 7 have been split between Box 6 and Oversize Box 1. | |||
| Box 8 | |||
| Financials 1940-1966
Financial Committee meeting notes and reports. Missing year 1965. | |||
| Box 9 | |||
| Financials 1990-1999
Reports, expenses, ledgers, and check logs. Complete for all nine years. | |||
| Box 10 | |||
| EFDS-BB Financial Ledgers 1926-1939
Large, handwritten ledgers listing expenses, income, activities, performers, etc. | |||
| Box 11 | |||
| Financial Ledgers 1939-1949
Ledgers listing expenses, income, performers, and other information. The year 1940 marks the organizational change from the English Folk Dance Society (Boston Branch) to the Country Dance Society, Boston Centre | |||
| Box 12 | |||
| Pinewoods Camp 1948-1985
Since its early days the organization sponsored scores of weekend and weeklong dance camps at the Pinewoods Dance Camp in Plymouth MA. Included are papers documenting the planning, execution, evaluation, dance instruction, and financials which document the evolution of the series. | |||
| Box 13 | |||
| Dance Flyers and Pinewoods Camp 1940-1999
Chronologically arranged dance flyers for the CDS-BC, 1940-1999, as well as a continuation of the above Pinewoods Camp materials, 1985-1999. | |||
| Box 14 | |||
| Morris Apparel ca. 1950-1999
A morris fool’s kit from the discontinued CDS-BC morris demo group (years and name unknown), and Ralph Sizer’s team costume from the Black Jokers Morris Team. These materials are housed separately; contact staff for further information. | |||
| Box 15 | |||
| National and International Organization Connections 1915-1989
CDS-BC is a branch/member of various national and international dance organizations. Included are Country Dance Society of America executive board minutes, fliers, and Pinewoods camps (1915-1989), EFDS American Branches organizational and publicity materials (1917-1940), EFDS United Kingdom Branches 1917-1980s, and undated papers from the New York Dance Activities Committee of CDS of America. | |||
| Oversize Box 1 | |||
| Financials, memorabilia 1950-1999
Misc. mid-20th century financials and memorabilia from 50th and 75th CDSS anniversaries. Contents listed on boxlist are split between this box and Box 6. | |||
