3.83 Cubic feet (8 binders containing contact sheets, slides, and prints; 7 boxes (8.5"x10.75"x2.5") of 35 mm negatives; 2 binders of 35 mm and 120 format negatives; and 1 box of 11 oversize prints.)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Contact sheets
Slides (photographs)
Black-and-white negatives
Photographic prints
Place:
New York (N.Y.)
Saint Simons Island (Ga. : Island)
Date:
1963-2009
Summary:
The Diana Davies photographs consist of images taken by Diana Davies at various stages of her career. Locations include the Festival of American Folklife, the Newport Folk Festival, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Poor People's Campaign, various peace and protest marches and outdoor performances, New York City, and the Georgia Sea Islands. The collection includes contact sheets, negatives, photographic prints, and slides.
Original photographs, negatives, and color slides taken by Diana Davies. Materials date from 1963-2009. Bulk dates: Newport Folk Festival, 1963-1969, 1987, 1992; Philadelphia Folk Festival, 1967-1968, 1987.
Scope and Contents:
The Diana Davies photographs, 1963-2009, consist of black and white negatives, contact sheets and prints, as well as color slides and negatives. The bulk of materials depict major festivals and protest movements (including the Poor People's March of 1968) documented by Diana Davies (located in Series 1: Newport Folk Festival, Series 2: Philadelphia Folk Festival, Series 6: Festival of American Folklife, and Series 11: Social Justice). Also well-represented are non-festival performances (in locations such as clubs, concert halls, and homes), recording sessions, and other music-related images, mainly of notable figures in the American folk music revival (located in Series 3: Broadside Magazine, Series 4: Sing Out! Magazine Concerts, Series 5: Miscellaneous Concerts and People, Series 7: Recording Sessions, Series 8: Instruction Book Shots, and Series 9: Jazz, Blues, and Salsa Musicians). Series 10: Georgia Sea Islands consists of photographs depicting the culture, environment, and daily life of these coastal islands in 1966. Series 12: New York City Scenes contains photographs taken on the street depicting everyday life in NYC in the 1960s and 1970s. The collection also contains related papers in Series 13: Miscellaneous Papers and Correspondence.
Arrangement note:
Each item in the Diana Davies Photographs has been assigned an accession number, and like materials have been put together such as the Newport Folk Festival photographs, in a chronological sequence as much as possible. Materials in the three more recent donation batches (1998, 2004, and 2006) were numbered and integrated into the collection. In some series, the accession numbers are in numerical order, and in others, the numbers are random because like items with different number sequences were pulled together in a series for subject coherence. The best way to find occurrences of a particular subject is to use the ctrl+F function. Please consult the archivists if you have any questions about the collection contents.
Contact sheets, slides, and prints arranged in 8 binders; negatives and oversize prints are stored separately.
Arranged in 14 series:
Series 1: Newport Folk Festival
Series 2: Philadelphia Folk Festival
Series 3: Broadside Magazine
Series 4: -- Sing Out! -- Magazine Concerts
Series 5: Miscellaneous Concerts and People
Series 6: Festival of American Folklife
Series 7: Recording Sessions
Series 8: Instruction Book Shots
Series 9: Jazz, Blues, and Salsa Musicians
Series 10: Georgia Sea Islands
Series 11: Social Justice
Series 12: New York City Scenes
Series 13: Miscellaneous Papers and Correspondence
Series 14: Oversize Materials
Biographical/Historical note:
Diana Davies is a well-known photographer of folk performers and festivals. Davies photographed the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in its earlier years. Born in 1938, Davies grew up in Maine, the Catskills, New York City, and Boston. Her grandparents were local union organizers and Debs socialists; one grandfather was a gandy dancer with the railroad, and her grandmother was a textile worker in Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. Davies finds that her family background was later expressed in her own activist efforts.
Davies left high school at 16, and worked sweeping out coffeehouses, which gave her the opportunity to listen to music while she worked. She became interested in theater and music. In Greenwich Village, she began doing some sound technician work, and then got interested in photography. She taught herself how to develop and print photographs in a darkroom, and began photographing in theaters, shooting from behind the scenes. Her theater photos are at Smith College in Northampton, where she presently lives. In the early 1960s, she began working with the editors of Broadside Magazine, Sis Cunningham and Gordon Friesen. She developed an interest in human rights work, which grew from her contact with Sis and Gordon, and also her own family background. She also worked as a photographer in a wide range of settings, including night clubs, weddings, and doing portrait photography. This led her to work for major national and international media including the New York Times, covering such events as the war in Biafra, and traveling to Mexico, Cuba, and Portugal on assignment.
Davies' folk photographs represent about one-quarter of her body of work; her other major photographic work includes the Civil Rights Movement, the Peace Movement, and theater. Davies began photographing at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, which she covered for a number of years. She knew Ralph Rinzler, and found him a vibrant, alive person excited by all aspects of culture. He introduced her to Bessie Jones from the Georgia Sea Islands, and in 1966 she made a photographic journey to the islands. Her work from this trip is included in the collection. Davies has also been a musician. She became involved with the punk rock movement of the 1970s, and felt that there was a connection between the hard-hitting songs from the punk world and the songs being published in Broadside Magazine. In 1975, she became part of a folk/punk women's band in Boston, and later moved to Western Massachusetts. In addition to being a photographer and musician, Davies is also a writer. She wrote a play entitled "The Witch Papers" in 1980, which was produced in Boston and other locations. The play was a vehicle for her human rights activism, comparing the technology of inquisition with labor sweatshops. In 1998, her play "The War Machine" was produced in Amherst, Mass. She lives in Northampton, and enjoys and participates in street performance, which she describes as the "most essentially communicative stuff you can come up with."
General note:
All contact sheets from the collection are digitized and accessible through this finding aid. Series-level slideshows accessible through this finding aid represent a small sampling from the collection.
Shared Stewardship of Collections:
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage acknowledges and respects the right of artists, performers, Folklife Festival participants, community-based scholars, and knowledge-keepers to collaboratively steward representations of themselves and their intangible cultural heritage in media produced, curated, and distributed by the Center. Making this collection accessible to the public is an ongoing process grounded in the Center's commitment to connecting living people and cultures to the materials this collection represents. To view the Center's full shared stewardship policy, which defines our protocols for addressing collections-related inquiries and concerns, please visit https://doi.org/10.25573/data.21771155.
Provenance:
The Smithsonian Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections acquired portions of the Diana Davies Photograph Collection in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when Ms. Davies photographed for the Festival of American Folklife. More materials came to the Archives circa 1989 or 1990. Archivist Stephanie Smith visited her in 1998 and 2004, and brought back additional materials which Ms. Davies wanted to donate to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. These two more recent donations of additional photographs (contact sheets, prints, and slides) consisted of documentation of the Newport Folk Festival, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Poor People's March on Washington, the Civil Rights Movement, the Georgia Sea Islands, and miscellaneous personalities of the American folk revival. In a letter dated 12 March 2002, Ms. Davies gave full discretion to the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage to grant permission for both internal and external use of her photographs, with the provison that her work be credited in any use.
Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 I Woke Up This Morning with My Mind on Freedom / Bernice Johnson Reagon, Jimmy Collier.
102 Precious Lord / Ed Walton.
103 Ooh Baby Baby / Norman Molton.
104 Mule Train / Robert Sinclair. Harmonica.
105 Coal Train / Robert Sinclair. Harmonica.
106 Panama Limited / Robert Sinclair. Harmonica.
107 Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen / James Thornton.
108 Drums and Spoons / Birds of Paradise (Musical group). Spoons (Musical instrument).
Local Numbers:
FP-RINZ-7RR-0075
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, May 29, 1968.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
102 Sitting on the Dock of the Bay / Tyrone Johnson.
102 Precious Love / Tyrone Johnson.
103 Message / Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick.
104 Guantanamera / Pete Seeger. Guitar.
105 Coyote, My Little Brother / Pete Seeger. Guitar.
106 Wimoweh / Pete Seeger. Banjo.
107 Everybody's Got a Right to Live (frag.) / Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Collier. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FP-RINZ-7RR-0554
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, May 29, 1968.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Everybodys Got a Right to Live (frag.) / Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Collier. Guitar.
102 You're Just a Laughing Fool / Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Collier. Guitar.
103 We'll Look Back at Tomorrow / Mark Ross. Guitar.
104 Get Together / Mark Ross. Guitar.
105 John Henry / Gail. Guitar.
106 Last Mile of the Way / Robert Sinclair. Harmonica.
107 We Shall Overcome / Group.
Local Numbers:
FP-RINZ-7RR-0555
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, May 29, 1968.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Time is running out (2:55) --Good Mornin' Brother Hudson (2:42) --Not enough to live on (2:20) --Hey, Mr. Rockerfeller (2:26) --Farewell Mr. Charlie (3:20) --Ballad of Martin Luther King (2:55) --Backstreets of Downtown Augusta (4:23) -- Nothin' but his blood (2:56) --We shall be free together (4:45) --To be a killer (1:50) --Elijah Good (5:20) -- Pinkville helicopter (3:50) --Hell no, I ain't gonna go (3:25) -- A pickaxe and a stone (6:00).
Track Information:
101 Time is Running Out / Wendy Smith.
102 Good Mornin' Brother Hudson / Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick.
103 Not Enough to Live On / Mike Millius.
104 Hey, Mr. Rockefeller / Mike Millius.
105 Farewell Mr. Charlie / Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick.
106 Ballad of Martin Luther King / Mike Millius.
108 Nothin' But His Blood / Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick.
201 We Shall Be Free Together / Roland Mousaa.
202 To Be a Killer / Wesley Houston.
203 Elijah Good / Wesley Houston.
204 Pinkville Helicopter / Tom Parrott.
205 Hell No, I Ain't Gonna Go! / Elaine Laron, Matt Jones.
206 A Pickaxe and a Stone / Jimmy Collier.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-3362
Folkways.312
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
New York Folkways 1970
General:
Topical songs from Broadside magazine; various performers. Program notes and texts ([8] p. : ill., music) inserted in container.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Burn baby burn--Walk the streets of Washington--Cities are burning
Track Information:
101 Burn, Baby, Burn / Guitar.
102 Walk the Streets of Washington / Guitar.
104 The Cities are Burning / Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-3173
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States, March 27, 1968.
General:
Folkways 5308
CDR--OUT TAKES;REEL 1/3;NOTES ON BOX;
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Farewell New York--Goin' home on the morning train--Washington Zoo--My old missus--Roll Jordan roll--Take this hammer--Short hair woman blues
Track Information:
101 Farewell, New York / Guitar.
102 Going Home on the Morning Train / Guitar.
103 The Washington Zoo / Guitar.
104 My Old Missus Told Me / Guitar.
105 Roll, Jordan Roll / Guitar.
106 Take This Hammer / Guitar.
107 Short Haired Woman / Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-3665
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
General:
Folkways 5308
CDR copy All music and words by J. Collier and F.D. Kirkpatrick. Protest songs, performed by the composers.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Burn baby burn--Walk the streets of Washington--Everybody's got the right to love--Can't take care--Cities are burning--Laughing fool--Napalm
Track Information:
102 Walk the Streets of Washington / Guitar.
101 Burn, Baby, Burn / Guitar.
103 Everybody's Got a Right to Live / Guitar.
104 I Can't Take Care of My Family This A-Way / Guitar.
105 The Cities are Burning / Guitar.
106 You're Just a Laughing Fool / Guitar.
107 The Fires of Napalm / Guitar.
108 My Dog / Guitar.
109 Hands Off / Guitar.
110 Fat Woman / Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-3666
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
General:
Folkways 5308
CDR copy All music and words by J. Collier and F.D. Kirkpatrick. Protest songs, performed by the composers.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Wes Houston--To be a killer; Jimmy Collier--Pick axe and stone
Track Information:
101 To Be a Killer / Wesley Houston. Guitar.
102 A Pick Axe and a Stone / Jimmy Collier. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-2766
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States, August, 1970.
General:
Folkways 5312
CDR copy- Disc 472
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
1. A Tribute to Moses Asch, 10 October 1987: with Pete Seeger, Ella Jenkins, Ruth Rubin, Sam Gesser, Oscar Brand, Tiny Robinson, Alan Lomax, Tony Schwartz, Suni Paz, part 1 (FP-1988-CT-0651) .
Track Information:
103 Program / Ella Jenkins.
102 Study War No More (Down by the Riverside) / Brownie McGhee, Pete Seeger.
101 Program / Moses Asch.
104 Program / Ruth Rubin.
105 Program / Sam Gesser.
106 Program / Oscar Brand.
106 This Land is Ours / Oscar Brand.
107 Program / Tiny Robinson.
108 Program / Alan Lomax.
109 Program / Jimmy Collier.
110 Program / Suni Paz.
111 Program / Tony Schwartz.
Local Numbers:
FP-1988-CT-0651
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States, October 10, 1987.
General:
tape 1
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
