Square Dance History Project
The rich story of North American square dance finally has a home in the digital age.

Browse Items (500 total)

  • Collection: MWSD
Document

Square Dance in Japan - organization

This piece by Masaru Wada, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan Square Dancers Association, presents an overview of modern square dance in that country. View item
Sound

Wakamono Tachi - Masaru Wada

Excerpt from recording by caller Masaru Wada, with calls in English but with additional lyrics in Japanese View item
Website

Square Dance Videos - MWSD

Caller Matt McGovern <matt@mattmcgovern.net> has started a YouTube channel devoted to modern square dancing, including his own videos and those contributed by others. This collection offers a… View item
Sound

Max Forsyth - Bat the Breeze patter, 1966

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Sound

Nobody's Baby - Max Forsyth, 1966

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Sound

Patter - Max Forsyth

This is a short clip from a dance called by Max Forsyth in the Springfield MA area in 1966. View item
Website

Square Dance Legislation Collection

The Square Dance Legislation Collection consists of manuscript materials (1975-present) documenting the history of legislation to designate the square dance as the national or state (folk) dance. The… View item
Moving Image

Square Dance at the Aqua Barn, Seattle

Kappie Kappenman, caller; Vivian Williams, fiddle; Phil Williams, guitar; Judy Webster, bass, videoed in the early 1990s by Phil's brother, Mike. The tune is Ragtime Annie. Vivian and Phil… View item
Moving Image

Mildred Buhler demonstration group

Contributor Paul Moore writes: "In the late 1940's through the early 50's there was a very popular caller in Northern California named Mildred Buhler. The film was Mildred calling to the demonstration… View item
Document

A Square Dance Pioneer: Jimmy Clossin

This summary of an interview with Jimmy Clossin by Miriam Gray appeared in 1960. More than 50 years later, it is impressive the ways in which he anticipated the challenges facing the square dance… View item
Website

Neil Barden - Square and Contra Dance Figures and Definitions

(The link above will take you to the website of the Square Dance Foundation of New England, where you can download a copy of Barden's booklet.)Square & Contra Dance Figures & Definitions was… View item
Moving Image

National Square Dance Convention 1976 - TV coverage

The National Square Dance Convention in 1976, the US Bicentennial year, was the largest in the history of that event. The convention took place in Anaheim, California, and this video is coverage by a… View item