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

Browse Items (501 total)

  • Collection: MWSD
Moving Image

1976 NSDC - history pageant

The National Square Dance Convention in 1976, the US Bicentennial year, was the largest in the history of that event. Part of that event was a historical pageant coordinated by Dorothy Stott Shaw, the… 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
Document

Round Dances, 1949

Round dances, or dances for couples rather than for groups of couples who interact with each other, have been a part of traditional country dance for ages. In the modern square dance movement, they… View item
Website

Miami Valley Dance Council archives - Ohio

This archive contains records of clubs in the Dayton, Ohio, area as well as the regional dance council. The Miami Valley Dance Council was formed in 1955, with representatives from 15 dance clubs. A… View item
Moving Image

Colorado Double Star

The double square was started by the Aggie Haylofters at Colorado State University in the 1950's as a dance formation for exhibition square dancing; The double square was danced by the Aggie… View item
Document

Square Dance in Our Schools

Writing in 1952, the author notes that a recent survey shows that square dance is a widely accepted part of school programs. "These certainly are striking figures. But they are not surprising in… View item
Sound

Hey Lei Lee Lei Lee (clip) - Bob Ruff

California caller Bob Ruff sings the calls set to a popular song at the time. This clip includes the introduction plus once through the figures. Vic and Debbie Ceder has information about Ruff on… View item
Sound

Progressive Squares - Jerry Helt

This half hour recording comes from a 1998 CALLERLAB session led by Jerry Helt, widely known for his use of progressive squares. (We appreciate CALLERLAB giving permission to share the material here.… View item
Document

Progressive Squares - introduction

This article from the Experimental Lab of Sets in Order magazine documents the introduction of progressive squares by Ed Gilmore. The article explains that he "developed an unusual collection of calls… View item
Document

Don Beck - square dance background

This is Don Beck's account of how he got interested in square dancing. View item
Sound

Frazee's Nightmare - Les Gotcher, 1954

Commercial recordings bring us excellent sound quality and precise calling. In contrast, one of the delights of live recordings is hearing the caller deal with real-life challenges on the dance floor.… View item
Sound

Eight to the Center - Les Gotcher, 1954

This live recording comes from a Les Gotcher Square Dance Institute. You'll note that Gotcher starts the music while squares are still forming up; he calls out that another couples is needed in the… View item