Collection number: MC 274
Size: 1 box
(0.5 cu.ft.)
About the Reuben Merchant Collection
Reuben Merchant was a western-style square dance and international folk dance caller from Nassau, New York. He wrote a regular column called "Square Dancing Today" for the Chatham Courier in Chatham, New York and authored a pamplet entitled "Square Dance Terms as Taught by Reuben Merchant". He attended workshops with Michael Herman, a teacher and an authority on folk dance, and Ralph Page, the New Hampshire dance caller. He also attended New England Square and Round Dance Conventions and the Maine Folkdance Camp in Bridgeton, M.E.
About the Reuben Merchant Collection
The collection consists of approximately 1000 45 RPM and LP records, and a small amount of textual material, reflecting Merchant's involvement in square and international folk dancing throughout the 1950s. Extensive notes from workshops with Ralph Page, Michael Herman, and notes on contras from Duke Miller are included, as well as his dance call cards and a folder of photographs of folk dancing.
Contact Special Collections staff for a list of the records in Merchant's collection.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
This collection is open.
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], Reuben Merchant Collection, 1949-1955, MC 274, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Gift, 1994
Separated Material
Phonographic records stored with NHLTMD audio collection.
Collection Arrangement
Collection is in original order as received.
Collection Contents
| Box 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Reuben Merchant Obituary | |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | “Biography of References and Recordings for Simple Folk and Early American Dances”, 1950 | |
| Box 1, Folder 3 | Dutch Folk Dance | |
| Box 1, Folder 4 | “Folk Dance Notes: Dances presented by Mary Ann and Michael Herman, 1954 | |
| Box 1, Folder 5 | “Folk Dances as Taught by Violet and Reuben Merchant,” notes and typescripts | |
| Box 1, Folder 6 | “Jane Farwell Recreation Workshop”, 1954 | |
| Box 1, Folder 7 | “New England Square and Folk Dance Camp”, 1952 | |
| Box 1, Folder 8 | “New England Square and Folk Dance Camp”, 1954 | |
| Box 1, Folder 9 | Pioneer Press, vol. V-IV; X-XIII | |
| Box 1, Folder 10 | “Square Dance Terms as Taught by Reuben Merchant”, pamphlet | |
| Box 1, Folder 11 | “Square Dancing Today” and other newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 | |
| Box 1, Folder 12 | United Squares Vacation Institute, 1954 | |
| Box 1, Folder 13 | Miscellaneous conventions and programs, 1953-1955 | |
| Box 1, Folder 14 | Miscellaneous record and book catalogs | |
| Box 1, Folder 15 | Photographs, 1950-1952 | |
| Box 1, Folder 16 | Miscellaneous calls and dance notations | |
| Box 1, Folder 17 | Dance Call Cards | |
