Ingenuity and Tradition: The Common Wealth of Massachusetts
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Introduction:
Massachusetts, like the rest of the United States, is a complex place where old and new stand side by side on the landscape and where tradition and innovation combine in people's lives to make them whole. The ingenious combination of old and new is repeated throughout Massachusetts by people as varied as black blues musicians, Cambodian craftspeople, Finnish cranberry farmers, Portuguese fisherfolk and Chinese computer assemblers. In examining Massachusetts traditions for the Festival program, scholars found that change, no matter what its cause, challenged individuals and communities to find creative ways to maintain traditions.
Like the great transformations that have shaped Massachusetts and the country as a whole, traditions can undergo change and emerge transformed but still recognizable. Puerto Rican singer Felix Luna of Lowell applied the traditional decima song form to new lyrics about the Challenger disaster. Gospel singer Napolean Stovell of Springfield directed his southern-born quartet to enunciate their words more clearly because the New England audiences like to understand what is being sung. Mario Picardo of Boston incorporated traditional Italian architectural features to make a bandstand but used plywood, foam, tin foil, and cardboard ravioli boxes to erect his towering confection on the streets of the North End as part of an annual saint's day feast, transplanted to the National Mall by a large contingent during the 1988 Festival. These individuals and their communities remolded traditions into usable form because these traditions add meaning to their lives. That's what folklife both in Massachusetts and in the modem world is all about, and what visitors could experience during the Festival of American Folklife.
Betty Belanus was Curator of the Massachusetts program and Barbara Lau was Program Coordinator. Ingenuity and Tradition: the Common Wealth of Massachusetts was made possible by the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities.
Fieldworkers:
Michael Bell, Dillon Bustin, Louis Carreras, Stephen Cole, Kathleen Dunlay, Janice Gadaire, Heidi Gitelman, Nora Groce, Betty Hillmon, Ellen McHale, Stephen Matchak, Linda Morley, Mario Montaño, Kathy Neustadt, Pioneer Valley Folklore Society, Refugee Arts Group, Mary Jo Sanna, Pam Swing, Joe Thomas, Robert Weir
Presenters:
Dillon Bustin, Louis Carreras, Rena Deth, Janice Gadaire, Rayna Green, Betty Hillmon, Sue Manos, Steve Matchak, Elizabeth Mathias, Ellen McHale, Linda Morley, Mario Montaño, Kathy Neustadt, Jessie Payne, Mary Jo Sanna, Joe Sciorra, Nancy Sweezy, Pam Swing, Annette Thornton, Eleanor Wachs
Participants:
Crafts
Karolina Danek, Polish iconographer, Worcester
Bienvenida Figueroa Negron, Puerto Rican needle worker, Lowell
Ann Horkan, Irish needle worker, Watertown
Susan lind-Sinanian, needle worker, dancer, Watertown
Tim Sao, Cambodian kite maker, Lowell
Ruth Thomasian, Armenian photograph collector and historian, Watertown
Sourn Veuk, Cambodian kite maker helper, Lowell
Gladys 'Wild Cranberry" Widdiss, 1914-, Wampanoag Indian potter and bead worker, Gay Head
Urban Ethnic Gardens
Julia Gelowtsky, 1913-1999, Polish gardener, cook, East Cambridge
Paul Piquette, 1954-, metal engraver, Feeding Hills
Anne Zaccari, hand-bordered stationery, Pittsfield
Bocce
Richard Barzottini, Pittsfield
Anthony Saltamartini, 1935-1999, North Adams
Clambake
Julie Ford Brown, 1963-, herb farmer, South Dartmouth
Priscilla Davoll, 1929, cook, South Dartmouth
Raymond Davoll, clambake rake-out, South Dartmouth
Burney Gifford, herb farmer, South Dartmouth
Cathi Gonet, clambake food preparation, South Dartmouth
Peter Gonet, bake master, South Dartmouth
Marjorie Macomber, 1914-2008, cook, Acushnet
Ralph Macomber, 1914-2004, clambake rake-out, Acushnet
Wilfred Morrison, 1915-2006, general store proprietor, Dartmouth
Foodways
Anahid Kazazian, cook, needle worker, Lexington
Albina Martin, 1918-, Acadian cook, Gardner
Stone Wall Building
David Gilson, Groton
Maritime
Al Doucette, scrimshaw carver, New Bedford
David Francis, 1949-, fisherman, lobster cook, Wellfleet
Frank B. James, 1923-2001, scrimshaw carver, Brewster
Lynne Multer, scrimshaw carver, Brewster
Dan Oldale, boat builder, North Falmouth
Steve Smith, boat builder, South Dartmouth
Steve Sperry, sailmaker, Marion
Carl M. Widdiss, scallop fisherman, Gay Head
Charles York, boat builder, South Dartmouth
Agriculture Fair Area
Grace Andruk, cranberry cook and screener, Bridgewater
Dorothy Angley, cranberry cook and screener, Carver
Josephine Burnett, 1932-, maple sugar producer, Conway
Willis Burnett, maple sugar producer, Conway
Kyle Clark, oxen raiser, logger, Heath
William Clark, 1942-, oxen raiser, logger, Heath
Lawrence Cole, 1916-2004, cranberry grower, North Carver
Daniel Fleuriel, tobacco farmer, Buckland
Preston Horton, maple sugar producer, Cummington
Melvin Longley, 1920-1997, ox yoke maker, Shirley
Alan Sanderson, Jr., tobacco farmer, Whately
Francis Wells, maple sugar producer, Cummington
Music
Portuguese Fado
Fernando Barreto, guitarist for fado singers, New Bedford
Alice Lebre, fado singer, Fall River
Antonio Lebre, 1920-, fado singer, Fall River
Sasha Lima, fado singer, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Sergio Lima, fado singer, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Manuel Antonio Ramos, guitarist for fado singers, Fall River
Natalia Ritchie, 1954-, fado singer, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Fiddlers
Edmond Boudreau, guitarist for Acadian fiddler, Waltham
John Campbell, 1929-, Cape Breton fiddle player, Watertown
Seamus Connolly, Irish fiddle player, Watertown
Julie Horkan, Irish step-dancer, Watertown
Helen Kisiel, pianist for Irish fiddle player, Watertown
Mary Jesse MacDonald, pianist for Cape Breton fiddler, Watertown
Gerald Robichaud, Acadian fiddle player, Waltham
Bay State IV, -- Polish polka band -- Bay State IV, Polish polka bandJanice Bajgier, 1949-, polka instructor, South DeerfieldBill Belina, EasthamptonJack Libera, 1955-, trumpet, clarinet, keyboard player, OxfordJohn Libera, 1919-2007, polka instructor, historian, SouthbridgeJim Motyka, PalmerGary Ogulewicz, Westfield
Oscar Lugo Y Su Conjunto Jibaro, -- Puerto Rican -- jibaro -- -- Oscar Lugo Y Su Conjunto Jibaro, Puerto Rican jibaroMiguel Almestica, 1953-, Caribbean musician and cook, WorcesterAngel Figueroa, jibaro musician, HolyokeRamon Lopes, jibaro musician, HolyokeElvin Lugo, jibaro musician, SouthbridgeOscar Lugo, 1942-, jibaro musician, SouthbridgeJose Luna, decima singer and cook, LowellAntonio Peres, jibaro musician, HolyokeDavid Rodrigues, jibaro musician, Holyoke
Silas Hubbard Jr. & The Hot Ribs, -- Blues and Jazz -- Silas Hubbard Jr. & The Hot Ribs, Blues and JazzSilas Hubbard Jr., harmonica player, blues singer, BostonThomas McMullen, guitar player, CambridgeCharles Robinson, drummer, CambridgeEd Williams, bass player, Quincy
The Motivators, -- Afro-American gospel -- The Motivators, Afro-American gospelDavid Bass, SpringfieldGary Bass, SpringfieldJesse Lee Burgess, SpringfieldRev. Robert Leon Winston, SpringfieldJames Edward Milner, SpringfieldJohn Winberly, SpringfieldShowndu Winberly, Springfield
The Contemporary Greek Ensemble, -- Greek -- The Contemporary Greek Ensemble, GreekJohn Bogis, guitar player, BostonGary Gianoukow, bouzouki player, ArlingtonKlotsonis Satirios, bajlama player, ArlingtonKosmas Vrouvlianis, bouzouki player, Newton
Krom Phleang Propeini Prasat Bayon, -- Cambodian -- Krom Phleang Propeini Prasat Bayon, CambodianChann Nhak, takhe player, LowellChorb Chan, tro so player, LowellHong Kla, khim player, LowellCheap Sophal, vocalist, LowellSouen Tim, vocalist and tro ou player, LowellPha Vith, skor player, LowellSorn Veuk, skor player, Lowell
Saints Day Celebration
Cosmas and Damian Society -- Cosmas and Damian SocietyStephen BertonciniCharles DeFrancecsoMarie DiDomenico, co-coordinator, Cosmas and Damian SocietySal DiDomenico, co-coordinator, Cosmas and Damian SocietySalvatore N. DiDomenicoRoland FarinatoAnthony LecceseSalvatore NardellaJoseph NardellaMike NocoloroSalvatore RealeCharles Reale
Filarmónica Santo Antonio -- Filarmónica Santo AntonioDavide Alamo, alto saxophone playerAlvaro Amaral, trombone playerOtilia Amaral, flag girlLuis Arruda, trombone playerAlexandre Bicalho, trumpet playerDinarte Botelho, clarinet playerJoao CardosoEddie Carvalho, trumpet playerJulio Carvalho, trumpet playerCristina Costa, flag girlDavide M. Costa, baritone horn playerJoao Pedro DaPonte, conductorManuel G. DaSilva, baritone horn playerManuel Da Silva, alto horn playerFernando Doo, alto horn playerElizabeth Fagundes, flag girlJose A Fagundes, trumpet playerJohn Feitor, trumpet playerJohn C. Feitor, president, general assemblyLuis GarciaFrancisco Jorge Gil, band presidentCarlos JacomeGabriel Madeiros, alto saxaphone playerAntonio C. Marques, clarinet playerMoises Moreira, clarinet playerJose Pacheco, tuba playerAntonio J. Pacheco, percussionistCarlos A Pascoal, baritone sax playerCarlos Pascoal Jr., alto horn playerJose M. Pinheiro, trombone playerJoseph Ramos, percussionistAntonio Ramos, percussionistMario Raposo, E flat clarinet playerJudith Hothan Riley, trombone playerManuel Rodrigues, tuba playerManuel S. Ramos, percussionistArmando Santos, clarinet playerPaulo Santos, baritone clarinet playerManuel SantosFrancisco M. Soares, alto saxophone playerWalter Silva, alto saxophone playerLuis SimaoAna Sousa, flag girlIvone Sousa, flag girlJoseph SousaRui Sousa, clarinet playerJoao SousaJoe SousaJose M. Tavares, trumpet playerJoao Tavares, clarinet playerPaulo J. Tavares, baritone horn playerManuel Tavares, percussionistWilliam Vasconcelos
North End Italian Band -- North End Italian BandEddie Aloisi, clarinet playerSidney Bomari, trombone playerLeo Brandenburg, clarinet playerMurray Burnstine, clarinet playerHoward Caster, percussionistElaine Corrieri Ziegner, trumpet playerTony DiCiccio, clarinet playerFelix Dicienzo, clarinet playerDavid Dunton, clarinet playerGuy Giarraffa, conductorRickie Gimmelli, percussionistJohn Gimmelli, baritone horn playerNunzio Innocenzo, trumpet playerHeidi Larisch, alto sax playerGuy Laudato, percussionistJoseph Mauro, percussionistCosmo Nardella, French horn playerSammy Pinella, percussionistSalvatore Pugliesi, trumpet playerIrving Shine, trombone playerLyle Shubert, baritone horn playerArthur Spellman, percussionistNeal Sugarman, tenor sax playerChris Teixeira, trumpet playerRobert Vanaria, tenorWilliam Voight, sousaphone player
Saint Anthony's Society -- Saint Anthony's SocietyJoseph AuferoCharles ChicarelloJoseph ColarussoFrank ContradoAnthony DeStefanoPaul DeGregorioGerry DiPrizio, president, Saint Anthony's SocietyPeter Grieco, co, chairman, Feast of Saint AnthonyPhil Pennacchio, Sr.Richard RagoRobert RagucciJames RyanCarl Salvi, co-chairman, Feast of Saint AnthonyRalph StatutoJohn TaminineGeno Testa
The Society of the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca -- The Society of the Madonna del Soccorso di SciaccaRichard BeilskiRaymond BonoPeter BrunoAndrew CardinaleVincent CiullaSal DeicidueJames Geany, chairman, Madonna del Soccorso FeastRay Geany, president, Madonna del Soccorso SocietyGus GraffeoJoseph GraffeoJoe GuarinoRaymond GuarinoRichard GuarinoLonnie LangoneMarc LetiziaJames LicataJames MarinoEdward MarinoAnthony PrimoAnthony PrimoJohn PrimoJames PrimoGus PrimoFrank Sclafani
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Where a listening copy or viewing copy has been created, this is indicated in the respective inventory; additional materials may be accessible with sufficient advance notice and, in some cases, payment of a processing fee. Older papers are housed at a remote location and may require a minimum of three weeks' advance notice and payment of a retrieval fee. Certain formats such as multi-track audio recordings and EIAJ-1 videoreels (1/2 inch) may not be accessible. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at 202-633-7322 or rinzlerarchives@si.edu for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1988 Festival of American Folklife, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
This collection contains over 37,000 35mm slides, 3,000 glass lantern slides and garden files that may include descriptive information, photocopied articles (from journals, newspapers, or books), planting lists, correspondence, brochures, landscape plans and drawings. Garden files were compiled by Garden Club of America (GCA) members for most of the gardens included in the collection. Some gardens have been photographed over the course of several decades; others only have images from a single point in time. In addition to images of American gardens, there are glass lantern slides of the New York Flower Show (1941-1951) and trips that GCA members took to other countries, including Mexico (1937), Italy, Spain, Japan (1935), France (1936), England (1929), and Scotland.
A number of the slides are copies of historic images from outside repositories including horticultural and historical societies or from horticultural books and publications. The GCA made a concerted effort in the mid-1980s to acquire these images in order to increase its documentation of American garden history. Because of copyright considerations, use of these particular images may be restricted.
Biographical/Historical note:
The Garden Club of America was established in 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when the Garden Club of Philadelphia and eleven other garden clubs met to create a national garden club. Its purpose is to foster the knowledge and love of gardening and to restore and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and gardening and conservation efforts. The GCA was incorporated in Delaware in 1923, with its headquarters established in New York City. Today, local clubs are organized under twelve regional zones. The GCA continues its tradition of hosting flower shows and publishing material related to gardening in the United States.
The GCA's glass lantern slides were used by The GCA for presentations and lectures about notable gardens throughout the United States dating back to colonial times. An effort was made in the late 1980s, in preparation of the 75th anniversary of the Garden Club of America's founding, to collect the disbursed slides. These slides were to eventually form the Slide Library of Notable American Parks and Gardens. The informational value of this collection is extensive since a number of images of the more than 4,500 gardens represented show garden designs that have changed over time or no longer exist. While the majority of images document a range of designed upper and upper-middle class gardens throughout the U.S., the scope of the collection is expanding as volunteers photograph and document contemporary gardens including community and vernacular gardens.
The gardens illustrate the design work of dozens of landscape architects including Marian Coffin, Beatrix Farrand, Lawrence Halprin, Hare & Hare, Umberto Innocenti, Gertrude Jekyll, Jens Jensen, Warren Manning, the Olmsted Brothers, Charles Platt, Ellen Biddle Shipman, and Fletcher Steele. Because of their proximity to the gardens, works of notable architects and sculptors may also be featured in the images.
Restrictions:
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens.
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, W. Atlee Burpee & Company Records
