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

Browse Items (1930 total)

Moving Image

Kathy Anderson - four styles of squares

Caller Kathy Anderson gives an overview of the characteristics of four different regional styles of traditional square dances-- old-time Southern, New England, traditional Western, and singing… View item
Moving Image

Kathy Anderson - Youth Square Dance Scene

Caller Kathy Anderson discusses the burst of enthusiasm among young people for simple square dances set to hot old-time tunes. Starting in Portland, Oregon, with the efforts of caller Bill Martin, the… View item
Still Image

Square Dance and Folk Dance (Japan)

Cover and first page of book that Winfield Niblo helped get published in Japan. Niblo played a key role in bringing American square dance to Japan in the time immediately after World War II. ---Edited… View item
Website

Lighted Lantern Folk Dance Camp

The Lighted Lantern was also known as the Rocky Mountain Square Dance Camp. It was operated by Paul and Pauline Kermiet from 1948to 1967. This website pays homage to the camp and includes a roster of… View item
Sound

Arch of Three - Cal Golden, Santa Monica, 1950

This is an audio recording from the 1950 Santa Monica dance, the world's largest square dance event at that time. Caller Cal Golden is being introduced by Lloyd Shaw, master of ceremonies for the… View item
Document

Santa Monica Diamond Jubilee - 1950

At the time, it was the world's largest square dance event. Santa Monica, California, was celebrating its diamond jubilee, so it planned to celebrate in square dance style. Lloyd Shaw was invited to… View item
Still Image

Arnie Kronenberger - record album

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Sound

Pass Through and Around One (clip) - Marshall Flippo

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Sound

Oklahoma Cyclone (clip) - Butch Nelson

Butch Nelson was a regular caller at the Lighted Lantern dance camp in Colorado. View item
Sound

Saguaro Whirl (clip) - Joe Boykin

A 1950 news story in the Prescott (Arizona( Evening Courier describes him as a "veteran Arizona square dance caller." View item
Sound

Sally Goodin (clip) - Carl Myles

One wonders where the caller picked up his pronunciation of the title in this dance. Everywhere else we hear Sally GOOD-in, but here it's Sally Good-EEN. He is credited as the square dance caller in… View item
Sound

Sashey Partners (clip) - Mel Day

Mel Day was an Idaho caller who co-authored with Jere Long In Idaho It's Docey Doe : A Manual of Idaho Square Dances. The book appeared in 1945 and was reissued in 1952. The patter in this dance makes… View item