About the Square Dance History Project
Square dancing has been an integral part of American social life for centuries. Traditional square dance was vital for generations of Americans, especially in rural communities; in the post-World War II era, modern square dance similarly enjoyed participants numbering in the millions.
Despite its popularity, the history of square dance has not been well documented. Scores of books explain specific figures and calls, but there are few current sources that offer a detailed discussion of the development of this form of American social dance. We hope this site helps to fill that need.
Sound
Gib Gilbert - Colorado caller
We're fortunate to have these live recordings from a 1979 dance called by Gib Gilbert with Yankee Ingenuity. In his introduction to the Boston area crowd, Tony Parkes comments, "All I'm going to say… View itemDocument
History timeline - square dance and CALLERLAB
At the annual CALLERLAB convention, in April 2025, caller Clark Baker was asked to lead a workshop on the history of square dance and of CALLERLAB. Clark has been calling nearly 50 years, mostly at… View itemMoving Image
Square Dance - George Balanchine ballet
This video documents the marriage of square dance with ballet. According to the George Balachine Trust's website: "InSquare Dance, Balanchine joined the traditions of American folk dance with… View itemSound
La Grande Chaine
This recording comes from La Famille Beaudoin / The Beaudoin Family, a 1976 album on the Philo label. It features the fiddling of Louis Beaudoin with calls by Fred Beaudoin. It illustrates the… View itemWebsite
Dancing for Busy People by Cal Campbell
Cal Campbell published "Dancing for Busy People" in 1995 to provide enjoyable dance materials that are accessible to dancers who have not taken Modern Western Square Dance classes. View itemMoving Image
Baltimore Square Dance
Beginning in 2013 the Baltimore Square Dance is a key event in the vibrant Baltimore Old Time Music scene. Monthly dances are attended by all ages, featuring bands and callers from around the region… View itemStill Image
Ed Durlacher - World's Fair, 1940
The description on this publiicity photo from the 1940 New York World's Fair reads: FAIR STAGES WORLD'S BIGGEST BARN DANCE More than 700 square dancers, hill billy bands and square… View itemDocument
Keeler Calling
This three-disk set of 78rpm records features caller Elisha Keeler and the band with whom he recorded, Mac Ceppos and his Country Rhythm Boys: Mac Ceppos, violin Eddie Smith, accordion Bill… View itemStill Image
Frank Messina
Frank Messina and the Mavericks recorded hundreds of titles for the Mac Gregor label, providing music for Fenton "Jonesy" Jones, Bob Van Antwerp, Arnie Kronenberger, Jerry Helt, and more. View itemDocument
The Li'l Abner Official Square Dance Handbook
This book clearly is riding the wave of square dance popularity at that time. Linking square dance with the popular comic strip figures, the book even more explicitly illustrates the way that the… View itemMoving Image
Square Dancing in Sudbury, Ontario
This film, made in 1959 by members of the Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers Union Local 598 in Sudbury, Ontario, illustrates the wide range of programming that the union provided for the community.… View itemDocument