Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Introduction:
Today's Virginians include people whose ancestors have always been here, descendants of the original Jamestown settlers, the progeny of the first West Africans, and more recent immigrants from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America. They live and work from Virginia's Atlantic coast to its Appalachian Mountains, from remote coal-mining towns in the southwest to bustling suburbs in the north. But no matter how deep their roots, Virginians strive with dedication and innovation to document and present their cultural heritage, adapting tradition to change and using the past to inform the present and future.
The 2007 Festival explored three "roots" of Virginia's culture: Native American, English, and African American. These groups supported the growth of a diverse, yet unified society in what would become Virginia. At the Festival, present-day Virginians were joined by delegations from Kent County, England (one of the counties from which the original settlers came and the burial place of Pocahontas) and West Africa (an area from which many enslaved Africans came to Virginia). By demonstrating and performing many parallel cultural traditions side by side, craftspeople, musicians, cooks, agriculturalists, and maritime experts demonstrated that different cultures can have much in common and can borrow from each other to forge a nation. Festival presentations were organized around three themes:
Continuing the Past. -- Many traditions in Virginia; Kent County, England; and West Africa remain "unbroken" within families and communities. A number of crafts, such as pottery, blacksmithing, wood carving, and needlework, span the generations; craftspeople interpret and produce them according to their own tastes and market demand. Festival visitors could interact with contemporary adherents of these ancient traditions.
Transforming the Past. -- While tracing the roots of Virginia culture, historians find many tradition bearers who, by necessity or desire, refashion their skills. For example, in Virginia, as well as in Kent County, England, fruit farmers find it hard to keep their businesses profitable because of cheaper imports; many have quit farming and have sold their land to developers. Growers have responded and now gourmet cooks can find heirloom varieties of Virginia apples at farmers' markets. The growers bring the taste of Virginia's past to the present and make it profitable and sustainable.
Researching and Interpreting the Past. -- The ability to research and interpret the past requires years of study, determination, and "learning by doing." Digging up the past is the professional passion of archaeologists at sites such as Historic Jamestowne. Family and community researchers collect oral histories and search for clues in archives and databases. Festival visitors could listen as they explained their work, and could pose questions about adapting such skills to their own lives.
Betty J. Belanus was Curator of the program, and Diana N'Diaye was Curator of African/African American Roots. Dorey Butter was Program Coordinator and Beverly Simons was Program Assistant. For Jamestown 2007, Jeanne Zeidler was Executive Director and Amy Ritchie was Manager of Statewide Programs and Smithsonian Project Manager. For Kent, England, Rebecca Casson was Head of Kent Virginia Development; Hollie Snelson was Smithsonian Project Manager; and Leila Maggs was Smithsonian Project Coordinator.
The program was produced in partnership with Jamestown 2007: America's 400th Anniversary and the Kent County Council. The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture was the Smithsonian Institution partner. Lead supporters of Jamestown 2007 included the Norfolk Southern Corporation, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Verizon, and Anheuser-Busch Companies. Other supporters included AirTran Airways, Dominion, James City County, Philip Morris USA, SunTrust, and Wolseley PLC/Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
Researchers:
Advisors
Howard Bass, Ann Bay, Mary Briggs, Lonnie Bunch, George Carter, Rex Ellis, Anthony Gualtieri, Portia James, Gail Lowe, Helen Schierbeck, Gabriella Tayac, Esther Washington, C. Brian Williams, Chris Williams, CiCi Williamson
Virginia fieldworkers
Harold Anderson, Olivia Cadaval, Mary Eckstein, Roland Freeman, Ywonne Edwards Ingram, Jon Lohman, Kip Lornell, Roddy Moore, Jennifer Neely, Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, Richard Vidutis, Vaughan Webb, Karenne Wood
Senegal fieldworkers
Abdoulaye Camera, Gorgui N'Diaye
Kent, England fieldworkers
Teri Brewer, Paul Cowdell, Hannah McNorton, George Monger
Presenters:
Harold Anderson, Olivia Cadaval, Paul Cowdell, Marjorie Hunt, Paula Johnson, Jon Lohman, Kip Lornell, Hannah McNorton, George Monger, Roddy Moore, Jeff Place, Mark Puryear, Gabriella Tayac, Vaughan Webb, Chris Williams, CiCi Williamson, Karenne Wood
Participants:
AGRICULTURE AND ENTERPRISE
Fruit Growing
Tom Burford, 1935-, Monroe, Amherst County, Virginia
Margaret Burns, 1941-, Herne Bay, Kent, England
Philip Johnson "PJ" Haynie III, 1977-, Hague, Northumberland County, Virginia
Paul Saunder, Piney River, Nelson County, Virginia
Saunders Brothers, Piney River, Nelson County, Virginia
Charlotte Shelton, 1936-, Vintage Virginia Apples, Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia
Virginia Wineries Association, Alexandria, Virginia
Ham, Peanuts, and Cattle
Babacar Bâ, Ndjilasséme, Senegal
Ciré Bâ, Ndjilasséme, Senegal
Dee Dee Darden, Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia
Tommy Darden, Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia
Sam Edwards, 1956-, Edwards and Sons, Surry, Surry County, Virginia
Stuart Gibbons, 1952-, Canterbury, Kent, England
Henry Goodrich, 1965-, Wakefield, Suffolk County, Virginia
Virginia-Carolina Peanut Promotions, Nashville, Nash County, North Carolina -- Virginia-Carolina Peanut Promotions, Nashville, Nash County, North CarolinaWilliam Bain, Wayne Barnes, Dell Cotton, Melissa Everett, Natalie Everett, Randy Everett, Fred Felts, Martha Felts, Linda Hass, Gail Moody Milteer, Brad Monahan, Drew Monahan, Janet Monahan, Kevin Monahan, Betsy Owens, Donna Pittman, John Pittman
Horse Crafts
Marc Stevenson, rocking horse maker, Bethersden, Kent, England
Tony Stevenson, 1956-, rocking horse maker, Bethersden, Kent, England
Theresa Trussell, 1952-, horse trainer, Kent, England
Danny Wingate, 1951-, saddle & harness maker, Elk Creek, Grayson County, Virginia
Outdoor Crafts
Norman Amos, 1925-, snake cane carver, Callands, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Susan Bridges, 1954-, forager, food processor, Meadows of Dan, Patrick County, Virginia
Grayson Chesser, 1942-, decoy carver, Sanford, Accomack County, Virginia
Pat Harrison, 1957-, birdcall maker, Covington, Alleghany County, Virginia
John Arthur Leonard, 1964-, decoy carver, Chincoteague, Accomack County, Virginia
Metal Crafts
Mbaye Fall, blacksmith, Ndjilasseme, Senegal
Billy Phelps, 1950-, blacksmith, Woodlawn, Carroll County, Virginia
Kelly Smyth, 1953-, marine blacksmith, Chadds Ford, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Godfrey South, 1960-, blacksmith, Eynsford, Kent, England
Rural Crafts
Clyde Jenkins, 1954-, split-oak basket maker, Stanley, Page County, Virginia
Yoro Kébé, woodcarver, Ndjilasseme, Senegal
John Waller, 1971-, woodcarver, basket weaver, Blackham, Kent, England
Robert M. Watson, Jr., woodworker, Williamsburg, Virginia
Tobacco and Hops
Bob Cage, 1923-, tobacco auctioneer, South Boston, Halifax County, Virginia
Jim Crawford, 1951-, tobacco auctioneer, Roanoke, Virginia
Colin Felton, 1945-, hop picker, Kent, England
Derek Hitcham, 1942-, beer brewer, Kent, England
Kevin Owen, 1970-, tobacco farmer, Chatham, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Bobby Wilkerson, 1941-, tobacco farmer, Ringgold, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Working Dogs
Debbie Johnson, 1956-, dog trainer, Gladys, Campbell County, Virginia
Roy Johnson, 1935-, dog trainer, Gladys, Campbell County, Virginia
BUILDING ARTS
Jimmy Price, 1952-, mason, restorer, Monroe, Amherst County, Virginia
Peter Massey, master carpenter, house mover, Ashford, Kent, England
Colin McGhee, thatcher, Staunton, Virginia
Charles McRaven, 1935-, restorer, Free Union, Virginia
Linda McRaven, 1945-, restorer, Free Union, Virginia
Judy Hill, glass painter, Rochester, Kent, England
Keith Hill, stained glass conservator, Rochester, Kent, England
DECORATIVE CRAFTS
Car Culture
Larry Rathburn, 1948-, car builder, Catawba, Roanoke County, Virginia
Tom Van Nortwick, 1955-, designer, pinstriper, Ferrum, Franklin County, Virginia
Pottery
Fatou Wade, potter, Ndjilasséme, Senegal
Quilting Stories
54-40 African American Quilters Guild, Hampton, Virginia
Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg, Virginia -- Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg, VirginiaJoan Knight, 1945-, Harrisonburg, VirginiaJulia Renken, 1951-, Fairfax, VirginiaLoretta Shinol, 1940-, Springfield, VirginiaHelen L. Spittle, 1942-, Springfield, Virginia
Virginia Tribal Crafts
Lee Lovelace, 1987-, tribal artist, Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Virginia
Mildred Gentle Rain Moore, 1934-, blackware potter, Pamunkey Indian Reservation, King William County, Virginia
Debora Littlewing Moore, 1967-, blackware potter, dancer, West Point, King William County, Virginia
Randy Robinson, 1982-, scratchboard artist, Southampton County, Virginia
George Whitewolf, 1942-, basket weaver, Lynchburg, Virginia
Karenne Wood, 1960-, linguist, beader, poet, dancer, Charles City, Charles City County, Virginia
FOODWAYS AND GARDENS
Cooking
Janice Canaday, 1957-, cook, caterer, Williamsburg, Virginia
Dawn Chesser, 1947-, cook, Saxis, Accomack County, Virginia
Amanda Cottrell, 1941-, cook, Ashford, Kent, England
Frances Davis, 1949-, cook, Rocky Mount, Franklin County, Virginia
Maïmouna Diène, cook, Ndjilasséme, Senegal
Mo Joslin, 1948-, cook, Tilmanstone, Kent, England
Patrice Olivon, 1957-, cook, Arlington County, Virginia
Clevie H. Wingate, 1951-, cook, Elk Creek, Grayson County, Virginia
Brunswick Stew
John D. Clary and The Proclamation Stew Crew, Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, Virginia -- John D. Clary and The Proclamation Stew Crew, Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, VirginiaJames P. Batchelor, Lawrenceville, VirginiaTim Bendall, Petersburg, VirginiaChiles Cridlin, Richmond, VirginiaRodney Elmore, Bracey, VirginiaLonnie Moore, Lawrenceville, Virginia
Gardening
George Carter, formal gardener, North Elmham, Norfolk, England
Sophia Sidney, formal gardener, Tonbridge, Kent, England
Michael Twitty, 1977-, provision gardener, Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland
Tyrone Mangum, 1983-, school gardener, Hampton, Virginia
MARITIME TRADITIONS
Boat Building
Raynell Smith, 1948-, Deltaville Boat Builders, Deltaville, Middlesex County, Virginia
Steve Smith, 1945-, Deltaville Boat Builders, Deltaville, Middlesex County, Virginia
Jamie Smith, Smith's Marine Railway, Dare, York County, Virginia
Tim Smith, 1954-, Smith's Marine Railway, Dare, York County, Virginia
Alan Staley, 1945-, wooden boat builder, Faversham, Kent, England
Harbor Crafts and Activities
Ted Boscana, carpenter, Williamsburg, Virginia
Linda Benson, rope maker, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, England
Brenda O'Donovan, 1954-, rope maker, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, England
Marshall Scheetz, cooper, Williamsburg, Virginia
Historic Maritime Projects
Alexandria Seaport/Thomas Jefferson High School Project, Alexandria, Virginia
Reedville Fishermen's Museum/John Smith Boat Project, Reedville, Northumberland County, Virginia -- Reedville Fishermen's Museum/John Smith Boat Project, Reedville, Northumberland County, VirginiaRichard W. Bradt, Midlothian, VirginiaGordon Burgess, Reedville, VirginiaBill Rogers, Heathsville, VirginiaLionel Whitcomb, Reedville, Virginia
Sultana Shipyard/John Smith Boat Project, Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland
Working the Water
Danny K. Bowden, 1956-, gill-netter, crabber, guide, Chincoteague, Accomack County, Virginia
Marie Hill, oystering, Hobson Village, Suffolk County, Virginia
Mary Hill, 1960-, oystering, Hobson Village, Suffolk County, Virginia
Andy Riches, oystering, Whitstable, Kent, England
Ken Thomas, 1952-, gill-netter, fisher, Dungeness, Kent, England
Virginia Institute for Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, Gloucester County, Virginia -- Virginia Institute for Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, Gloucester County, VirginiaWyatt Vaughan, Farmville, VirginiaLester Vincent Williams, Prospect, Virginia
Gerald Anderson, 1953-, instrument-maker, Troutdale, Grayson County, Virginia
Dave Arthur, 1942-, musician, singer, Towbridge Wells, Kent, England
Husnu Aydogdu, 1948-, instrument maker, singer, Arlington County, Virginia
"Big Day Out" Powwow
Gretchen Bulova and dancers, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Alexandria, Virginia
John Cephas, 1930-, guitarist, singer, Bowling Green, Caroline County, Virginia
La Chanchona de los Hermanos Lobo, Northern Virginia -- La Chanchona de los Hermanos Lobo, Northern VirginiaEfrain Lobo, 1967-, violin, Leesburg, VirginiaEliseo Lobo, vihuelaOsmar Lobo, conga, guïroOsmin Lobo, bassTrinidad Lobo, violin, Arlington, Virginia
The Church of God and Saints of Christ, Alexandria, Virginia
Cheikh Hamala Diabaté and Ensemble, Bambare, Mali -- Cheikh Hamala Diabaté and Ensemble, Bambare, MaliCheick Hamala Diabate, ngoni, Adelphi, MarylandFamouro Diabate, New York, New YorkMakany Kouyate, New York, New YorkBala Tounkara, New York, New York
Rex M. Ellis, 1951-, historian, Williamsburg, Virginia
Brien Fain, singer, banjoist, Stuart, Patrick County, Virginia
Scott Fore, guitarist, Radford, Virginia
Gospel Traveliers, Junior Traveliers, and Gospel Travelettes, Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia
Wayne Henderson and Friends, 1947-, Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, Virginia
Lined-out Hymn Singers, Dillwyn, Buckingham County, Virginia
Linda Lay and Springfield Exit -- Linda Lay and Springfield ExitDavid Lay, Winchester, VirginiaLinda Lay, 1962-, Winchester, VirginiaSammy ShelorRicky Simpkins, Laurel, Maryland
Madison Hummingbirds, shout band, Portsmouth, Virginia
Jim Marshall, singer-songwriter, Hillsville, Carroll County, Virginia
The Midnight Ramblers, bluegrass band -- The Midnight Ramblers, bluegrass bandCherise Bates, 1990-, Wise, VirginiaPaula Bates, 1961-, Wise, VirginiaTony Bates, 1947-, Wise, VirginiaAustin Boggs, 1989-, Wise, VirginiaMarcus Johnson, 1989-, St. Paul, VirginiaAbe Mullins, 1988-, Dungannon, Virginia
The Millen Family, glee club harmony -- The Millen Family, glee club harmonyDonald Brian Levett, 1936-, Smarden, Ashford, Kent County, EnglandGerald Millen, 1926-, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent County, EnglandHilary David Millen, 1955-, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent County, EnglandHoward Batt Millen, 1928-, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent County, EnglandNeil Barrington Thrift Ridley, 1948-, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent County, England
Lucky Moyo, 1966-, Music for Change, Canterbury, Kent, England
Lonesome Will Mullins & The Virginia Playboys, Clintwood, Dickenson County, Virginia -- Lonesome Will Mullins & The Virginia Playboys, Clintwood, Dickenson County, VirginiaJarrod ChurchDuran DuttonRandy DuttonTom IsaacsWill Mullins, Clintwood, VirginiaKody Norris
Bou Counta Ndiaye Ensemble, Senegal -- Bou Counta Ndiaye Ensemble, SenegalBou Counta Ndiaye, Pikine, Daker, SenegalMamadou Ngoma Ndiaye, Pikine, Dakar, SenegalSidy Ndiaye, Department of Thies, SenegalBassirou Seck, Department of Diourbel, Senegal
New Ballard's Branch Bogtrotters, Galax, Virginia -- New Ballard's Branch Bogtrotters, Galax, VirginiaEddie Bond, 1971-, fiddle, Fries, VirginiaJosh Eller, mandolin, Galax, VirginiaLeon Frost, banjo, Galax, VirginiaDennis Hall, guitar, Galax, VirginiaJesse Morris, bass, Abingdon, Virginia
Reverend Frank Newsome, 1942-, Regular Baptist hymn-singer, Haysi, Dickenson County, Virginia
No Speed Limit, Galax, Virginia -- No Speed Limit, Galax, VirginiaStevie Barr, Galax, VirginiaRyan BlevinsAmber CollinsJacob Eller, Galax, VirginiaJosh Pickett
Vera Oye Yaa-Anna, 1949-, storyteller, Washington, D.C.
The Paschall Brothers, a cappella religious singers, Chesapeake, Virginia -- The Paschall Brothers, a cappella religious singers, Chesapeake, VirginiaTarrence Paschall, Sr., 1959-, Chesapeake, VirginiaTarrence Paschall, Jr., 1984-, Chesapeake, VirginiaFrank Paschall, Jr., 1953-, Chesapeake, VirginiaWilliam Paschall, 1963-, Norfolk, VirginiaRenard Freeman Sr., 1964-, Chesapeake, VirginiaRenard Freeman, Jr., 1987-, Chesapeake, VirginiaJohnny Lewis, 1949-, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Buddy Pendleton, 1935-, fiddle, Basset, Henry County, Virginia -- Buddy Pendleton, 1935-, fiddle, Basset, Henry County, VirginiaRobin Kauffman, 1979-, fiddle, Basset, Henry County, Virginia
Tim Laycock, 1952-, playwright, Kent, England
Sonia Ritter, 1958-, playwright, Kent, England
Kinney Rorrer and The New North Carolina Ramblers, old-time string band, Danville, Virginia -- Kinney Rorrer and The New North Carolina Ramblers, old-time string band, Danville, VirginiaDarren Moore, 1976-, guitar, autoharp, Keeling, VirginiaKinney Rorrer, 1946-, banjo, Danville, VirginiaJeremy Stephens, 1984-, guitar, fiddle, Danville, VirginiaKirk Sutphin, 1968-, fiddle, Walkertown, North Carolina
The Sama Ensemble, Persian music, Vienna, Fairfax County, Virginia -- The Sama Ensemble, Persian music, Vienna, Fairfax County, VirginiaGiti AbrishamiBahman AmeenAli Analouei, 1954-, drumsSofi BastaniBehzan BibizadehSteve BloomAudrey ElizabethHayedeh EradatArjan GanjiNeda HosseiniPuneh HosseiniNaser KhorasaniMohsen SalehiNeema ShabestariNazanin Zolriyasatein
Jeffrey Scott, 1965-, Piedmont blues guitarist, Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia
La Sensual, salsa band, Northern Virginia -- La Sensual, salsa band, Northern VirginiaBrenda Lee Bonano, maracas, Woodbridge, VirginiaRolando Marcos, keyboards,Woodbridge, Virginia
Ron Short, 1965-, guitar, singer-songwriter, Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Virginia
Spencer Strickland, mandolin maker, Troutdale, Grayson County, Virginia
Los Tecuanis, tiger dancer, Manassas, Virginia
Speedy Tolliver, fiddler, Arlington County, Virginia -- Speedy Tolliver, fiddler, Arlington County, VirginiaAndrew Acosta, Falls Church, VirginiaJohn Kaparakis, Arlington, VirginiaWilliam Patrick McCauley, Front Royal, Virginia
Larnell Starkey and the Spiritual Seven, gospel singers, Wirtz, Franklin County, Virginia -- Larnell Starkey and the Spiritual Seven, gospel singers, Wirtz, Franklin County, VirginiaDarledia Alexander, 1959-, Wirtz, VirginiaTravis Moore, 1996-Danny Starkey, 1954-Eric Starkey, 1980-Larnell Starkey, 1948-Tim Starkey, 1970-Walter Starkey, 1951-, Wirtz, VirginiaOtario Wells, 1995-Coleman Wright, 1956-
Virginia Tribal Dancers -- Virginia Tribal DancersPowhatan Red Cloud-Owen, 1948-, dancer, Charles City, Charles City County, VirginiaTara Danielle Bradby, 1984-, Providence Forge, VirginiaRufus Elliott, 1984-, Monroe, VirginiaDebora Littlewing Moore, 1967-, West Point, VirginiaQuinton Talbott, 1995-, Big Island, VirginiaKarenne Wood, 1960-, Charles City, Virginia
Whitetop Mountain Band -- Whitetop Mountain BandThornton Spencer, fiddle, Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, VirginiaEmily Spencer, 1952-, banjo, Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, VirginiaMartha Spencer, 1985-, guitar, fiddle, banjo, Mouth of Wilson, Grayson County, VirginiaDeborah Bramer, bass, Fancy Gap, VirginiaJackson Cunningham, 1977-, mandolin, Christiansburg, VirginiaSpencer Pennington, 1934-, guitar, Warrensville, North Carolina
Phil Wiggins, 1954-, harmonica player, Takoma Park, Montgomery County, Maryland
Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia -- Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VirginiaTed Boscana, Williamsburg, VirginiaMarshall Scheetz, Williamsburg, VirginiaTerry ThonRobert Watson, Williamsburg, Virginia
Liz Finn, archivist, Kent Archives, Canterbury, Kent, England
Julius Fuller, fraternity historian, Hampton, Virginia
Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown, James City County, Virginia
Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown, James City County, Virginia
Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Petersburg, Virginia -- Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Petersburg, VirginiaDaniel Beasley, 1978-, Petersburg, VirginiaAaron Bradford, 1983-, Petersburg, VirginiaJeffrey Dean, 1950-, Petersburg, VirginiaBrian Musselwhite, 1972-, Petersburg, VirginiaAl Neale, Petersburg, VirginiaWisteria Perry, 1975-, Petersburg, VirginiaAndrew Talkov, 1972-, Petersburg, Virginia
Virginia Raye, 1974-, sorority historian, Alexandria, Virginia
Paula Royster, 1966-, genealogist, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Sperryville and Richmond Virginia Projects
Historic Archaeology
Enid Allison, 1957-, environmental archaeologist, Kent, England
Amanda Danning, sculptor, painter, woodcarver, Bay City, Texas
Marion Green, 1952-, archaeologist, Kent, England
Jamestown 2007 Community Program, Jamestown, James City County, Virginia
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.
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.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Introduction:
Water Ways: Mid-Atlantic Maritime Communities was a Festival program about change and renewal, pride in the past and hope for the future, and the interconnectedness of cultural life and natural history in the region. It was composed of the stories of Festival participants and their communities, told in their own words. It spoke about their joys, frustrations, and efforts to conserve the rich heritage that permeates this region like the smell of salt water and marsh mud. The people who live around the ocean and bays, marshes and swamps, rivers and creeks of the Mid-Atlantic had lifetimes of knowledge that they generously shared with Festival visitors on the National Mall.
To illustrate the rich complexity of the story, the program and accompanying program book article gave particular attention to three natural resources that have been important throughout the region's history: oysters, shad, and Atlantic white cedar. The past, present, and future of the region were synopsized in these resources, all three of which cut deeply into cultural, economic, and ecological life. Each carried with it stories of exploitation, decline, and renewal of the resources that shaped Mid-Atlantic maritime community culture, the theme that brought the whole region into focus.
So many changes have occurred over the past couple of generations for maritime communities in this region that long-time residents can sometimes barely recognize their hometowns. A deep sense of loss tempered many of the stories that they told to Smithsonian researchers or to Festival visitors. But maritime communities often adapt to changes. When one species of fish becomes scarce or unmarketable, you fish for another. When crabbing with wire mesh pots proves more efficient than trot-lining (running a baited line across a section of water), you buy or learn to make pots. When recreational fishing catches on in your area, you fish for bait or get a charter-boat license. When the oyster-shucking or crab-picking plant shuts down, you get a job cooking at a local seafood restaurant or a nearby school. It's all about adaptation, flexibility, and survival - and it was these values that were on abundant display during the two weeks of the 2004 Festival. A website presented the field research and Festival activities.
Betty J. Belanus was Curator and Arlene Reiniger was Coordinator; Amy Skillman was Fieldwork Coordinator.
The program was made possible by a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and produced in collaboration with the State of Maryland, National Endowment for the Arts, and Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network/ National Park Service; with generous contributions from Virginia Historic Resources, Mary Ball Washington Museum & Library, St. Mary's White Chapel Episcopal Church, Maryland State Arts Council, North Carolina Arts Council, North Carolina Tourism, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Phillips Seafood, and The Nature Conservancy; and with special thanks to National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
Fieldworkers:
The American Folklife Center/Library of Congress, Salisbury University's 2003 Summer Folklife Field School: Karen Amspacher, Harold Anderson, Lora Bottinelli, Tom Carroll, Shelly Drummond, Elaine Eff, John Eilertson, Susan Charles Groth, Thomas Hemans, Jill Hemming, James Lane, Jon Lohman, Connie Mason, Charlie Petrocci, Feather Phillips, Michael Sciarappa, Amy Skillman, Nancy Solomon, William Stott, Tom Walker, Meghan Wren
Presenters:
Karen Amspacher, Harold Anderson, Lora Bottinelli, Charles Camp, Shelly Drummond, Elaine Eff, Susan Charles Groth, Thomas Hemans, Jill Hemming, Paula Johnson, Carrie Kline, James Lane, Jon Lohman, Tom McHugh, Connie Mason, Rita Moonsammy, Pam Morris, Charlie Petrocci, Amy Skillman, Nancy Solomon, William Stott, Rory Turner, Tom Walker, Meghan Wren
Participants:
Boatyard
Alexandria Seaport Foundation, boat-building, Alexandria, Virginia
Jimmy Amspacher, 1946-, boat-building, Marshallberg, North Carolina
Heber Guthrie, 1951-, boat-building, Gloucester, North Carolina
Long Island Maritime Museum, boat-building, West Sayville, New York
The Mariner's Museum, boat-building, Newport News, Virginia -- The Mariner's Museum, boat-building, Newport News, VirginiaLyles Forbes, 1964-, Newport News, VirginiaJames R. KnightMartin NoffsingerMarcie RennerRoger P. Worthen
Skipjack Captains and Restoration Experts, boat-building, Chesapeake Bay Region
Commercial Fishing
Nadine Benevides, 1958-, menhaden fishing, Gloucester, North Carolina
Joey Benevides, 1989-, menhaden fishing, Gloucester, North Carolina
Danny Bowden, 1956-, gill-netting, crabbing, guiding, Chincoteague, Virginia
Ivy Bradley, 1930-, hatchery manager, Pamunkey Reservation, Virginia
Warren Cook, 1937-, hatchery manager, Pamunkey Reservation, Virginia
Sonny Williamson, storyteller, Cedar Island, North Carolina
Tom Wisner and Friends -- Tom Wisner and FriendsTom Wisner, 1930-2010, singer-songwriter, educator, Solomons Island, MarylandFrank Schwartz, 1950-, West Suffield, ConnecticutFranklin M. Walter, 1948-, Catonsville, MarylandTeresa Whitaker, 1952-, West Suffield, Connecticut
Bob Zentz, 1944-, singer, instrumentalist, Norfolk, Virginia
Collection 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.
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.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2004 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Indians of North America -- Southwest, New Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Pages
Volumes
Date:
1883-1888
Scope and Contents:
Contents: Apache-Mohave (Yavapai) vocabulary from Akuake or William Aguacca Roberts, obtained August 28, 1883, at Hampton, Virginia, pages 3-18; Yavapai vocabulary copied from [William H.] Corbusier, pages 19-38; brief note on the Pamunkey Indians at Indiantown, King and Queen County, Virginia page 17; short autobiographical sketch [of Akuake ?] in Yavapai with interlinear English, pages 39-40; copy of a Havasupai vocabulary collected by Mrs Tillie [Matilda] Stevenson, October 1885, at Oraibi Arizona, page 43; and note on the death date of Colonel James Stevenson. 1888, page 49.
The Yavapai vocabulary from Corbusier carries references to "page 140, etc. that are not explained. The words on pages 19-38 cannot have been copied from Yavapai Manuscript Number 2249-a by Corbusier, since the cited page numbers do not exist in that schedule, and are in a different orthography (cf. "wasp" as "sembo" on page 19 in this Manuscript and as "them-po" on page 61 in Manuscript Number 2249-a). If this vocabulary was copied from another by Corbusier, the original has not been located as of 2/1970.
The Havasupai vocabulary from Matilda Stevenson was published by Gatschet in Zeitschrift fur Ethnologie, volume 24, 1892, pages 5-10, with the Havasupai vocabulary of Stevenson in Manuscript 1114; in the published version the two Havasupai vocabularies are combined. No original by Stevenson has been located as of 2/1970.
Local Numbers:
NAA MS 1144
Local Note:
autograph document
Topic:
Language and languages -- Documentation Search this
Citation:
Manuscript 1144, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
