106.32 Cubic feet (87.5 cubic feet of papers, 18.82 cubic feet of audio)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Field recordings
Correspondence
Phonograph records
Notes
Business records
Audiocassettes
Photographic prints
Black-and-white negatives
Audiotapes
Date:
1890-2011
bulk 1950-1994
Summary:
This collection, with bulk dates from 1950-1994, documents the life of Ralph Rinzler and his professional activities as Director of Field Programs for the Newport Folk Festival, Director of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival (formerly the Festival of American Folklife) and the Office of Folklife Programs (now the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage), and the Smithsonian Institution's Assistant Secretary for Public Service. Includes personal papers, business records, correspondence, notes, photographs, audiotapes and field recordings.
Scope and Contents:
The Ralph Rinzler Papers and Audio Recordings encompasses a wide range of materials from Rinzler's prolific personal and professional life. Predominantly consisting of clippings, collected texts, correspondence, meeting notes, photographs, and production materials, this collection charts Rinzler's role in the mid-twentieth century emergence of community-based and institutional efforts to preserve, sustain, and amplify cultural heritage. As an assemblage of materials from all aspects of his life, the Ralph Rinzler Papers also reflect the many integral relationships he developed throughout the years with his colleagues, contemporaries, family, and friends.
Arrangement note:
The collection is currently arranged in 9 archival series as follows:
1. Biographical
2. Collected Texts
3. Correspondence
4. Events
5. Fieldwork
6. Meetings and Organizations
7. Notable Figures
8. Publishing and Production
9. Audio
The papers and photographs contained in the first 8 series are processed at an intermediate level, which means that all material was rehoused in archival folders, with folder-level arrangements and descriptions. Individual items within folders may not be fully arranged or described, due to the collection's level of complexity when it was deposited in the Archives.
When possible, folders were arranged alphabetically within series and subseries.
Biographical/Historical note:
Ralph Rinzler (1934-1994) was born in Passaic, New Jersey, and was interested in music at an early age. He was given a collection of ethnographic recordings from the Archive of Folk Song of the Library of Congress by his uncle, Harvard University ballad scholar George Lyman Kittredge, and they soon became his favorites. He became actively involved in the Folk Revival while attending Swarthmore College, organizing an annual festival on campus. He received his B.A. in 1956, and did graduate work at Middlebury College and the Sorbonne in French literature and language. Upon his return to the United States, he played mandolin for four years with the Greenbriar Boys, at times touring with singer Joan Baez. During the 1960s, he also studied, recorded, and worked with performers of traditional music, such as Doc Watson and Bill Monroe, both of whom gained international recognition in part through his efforts. In 1964, Rinzler accepted the position of Director of Field Programs at the Newport Folk Foundation, which involved the planning and programming of the Newport Folk Festival.
Rinzler came to the Smithsonian in 1967 as co-founder of the Festival of American Folklife (now the Smithsonian Folklife Festival) with James Morris in what was then the Smithsonian's Division of Performing Arts. After the 1976 Bicentennial Festival, Rinzler became the founding director of the Office of Folklife Programs (now the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage) to establish a center for research, publication, and presentation of programs in American culture and tradition. As Director, he initiated Smithsonian Folklife Studies, a publication series, and did research for the Celebration exhibit, which opened at the Renwick Gallery in 1982. Rinzler was appointed Assistant Secretary for Public Service in 1983 and Assistant Secretary Emeritus in 1990. Ralph Rinzler died on July 2, 1994.
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 materials in this collection were deposited into the archives of the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage over a number of years by Ralph Rinzler, Kate Rinzler, and Jeff Place in honor of the aforementioned. From the 1980s until Ralph Rinzler's passing in 1994, the Center received the majority of the audio tapes and photographs in this collection directly from Rinzler. With Rinzler's death in 1994, Jeff Place reviewed and deposited the majority of Rinzler's papers at the Center.
Until her passing in 2011, Kate Rinzler donated materials to this collection, with more continuing to arrive via her estate (as of May 2021). Many of these items were rehoused in the Kate Rinzler Papers.
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.
1 Folder (1 sheet: photographic negatives, black and white, 35 mm)
1 Contact sheet (black and white)
Type:
Archival materials
Contact sheets
Date:
1969
Series Restrictions:
Access by appointment only at the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections.
Series Rights:
Authorization to publish or reproduce requires written permission from Diana Davies. Please contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections for further information.
Collection Citation:
Diana J. Davies photographs, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
or
Photo by Diana J. Davies. Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and COllections, Smithsonian Institution.
1 Folder (1 sheet: photographic negatives, black and white, 35 mm)
Type:
Archival materials
Contact sheets
Date:
1968-04-27
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:
Diana J. Davies photographs, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
or
Photo by Diana J. Davies. Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and COllections, Smithsonian Institution.
1. Intro 2. Going Down This Old Dusty Road 3. Narrative- Terkel 4. Hard Travelin' 5. Pretty Boy Floyd 6. Narrative 7. I'm Gonna to Mail Myself to You 8. Narrative 9. 900 Miles 10. Narrative 11. Roll On Columbia 12. Narrative 13. Sinking of the Reuben James 14. Pastures of Plenty 15. 1913 Massacre 16. I've Got to Know 17. Lonesome Valley 18. Instrumental 19. Narrative 20. Union Maid
Track Information:
101 Intro / Ralph Rinzler.
102 Going Down This Old Dusty Road / Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert. Banjo,Guitar.
103 Narrative / Studs Terkel.
104 Hard Traveling / Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert. Banjo,Guitar.
105 Pretty Boy Floyd / Arlo Guthrie. Guitar.
106 My Curly Headed Baby / Bernice Johnson Reagon.
107 Mail Myself to You / Josh, Jr. White. Guitar.
108 Narrative / Ronnie Gilbert.
109 900 Miles / Bernice Johnson Reagon.
110 Narrative / Guy William Logsdon.
111 Roll On Columbia / Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert. Banjo,Guitar.
112 Narrative / Guy William Logsdon.
113 The Sinking of the Reuben James / Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert. Banjo,Guitar.
114 Pastures of Plenty / Josh, Jr. White. Guitar.
115 1913 Massacre / Arlo Guthrie. Guitar.
116 I've Got to Know / Bernice Johnson Reagon.
117 Lonesome Valley / Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert. Banjo,Guitar.
118 Woody's Rag / Ralph Rinzler, Arlo Guthrie, Ronnie Gilbert. Banjo,Guitar,Mandolin.
119 Narrative / Harold Leventhal, Marjorie Guthrie, Toshi Seeger.
120 Union Maid / Ronnie Gilbert. Banjo,Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FP-CDR-0023
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, 1982.
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.
Wings of Harmony--Rough and rocky road--Southern prayer--Calvary--Over there; --Job (on My way to Cannan's land)--Wasn't that a time; Jesse McKinney--In the wilderness--You don't treat me right; Pete Seeger--Cumberland Mountain bear chase---Midnight Special; --- Dubs of Songs for PAC album-- Pete Seeger and others--A doillar ain't a dollar--Voting union--Get out and vote--Dollar for PAC--Oh what congress did to me--4 nursery rhymes--No No No discrimination--Oh Walter Oh walter--DDT--Fare thee well congressmen; Shep Ginades--Its sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb; Weavers--Clementine--True love (Papers and pins)--Taking it easy--Pinone
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-1512
General:
CDR copy--Recorded by Pete & Toshi Seeger in the winter of 1951 at two Texas prison farms, this album represents some of the oldest and most traditional work songs found among African American prison communities in the southern United States. Traditionally a participatory art form, these songs were typically sung while groups of 10-30 prisoners performed tasks such as chopping and hoeing. With origins reaching back to their West African ancestry as well as during the era of African American slavery, work songs served the purpose of alleviating the mundane nature of repetitive tasks as well as providing a forum for the song leader to keep the group together through rhythms and lyrics. Pete Seeger narrates and dubs various songs from 78s.
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.
Grover Dickson, Obanoe Archer, Alvin Johnson, Andrew P. Crane, C.J. Adams--Intro--It makes a long time man feel bad--Intros--Hammer ring--Here rattler--Good God almighty Captain Charlie--Go down, old Hannah--Mighty bright light
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-1707
General:
Folkways 4475
CDR copy
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.
Prisoners- Grover Dixon, C.J. Adams, Obannan Archer, Andrew Crane, Alvin Johnson)--Grizzly bear--(Never) Pick a bale of cotton--Lost John--I don't believe she would know me--After hours--Old grey goose--You've got to hurry and keep in touch with the son of God--I need more power--John Henry--Old Stewball
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-3987
General:
Folkways 4475
CDR copy
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.
Leo Maloney, Clifton Liggins, James Frank Rytledge, Henry Polk--Swing Down Chariot--In the morning; Alfred Paul East--All on the Alter; Leo Maloney et.al.- Hammer ring--Something within me; Vernon C. Smith, R.G. Williams, Johnnie D. Smith, Joseph Johnson, James I. Jackson--I need another witness for my Lord--Long John; John C. Smith, Harold Burton, Preston Fischer, Albert Lee House, Ervin Larry--Here rattler here--Need more power--Yellow gal; Joseph Johnson and group--Hammer ring
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-3988
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: United States, Texas, March 17, 1951.
General:
Folkways 4475
CDR copy
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.
Vernon C. Smith, R.G. Williams, Johnie D. Smith, Joseph Johnson, James L. Jackson, Alfred Paul East---- Hammer ring (Black Betty)--Go down, old Hannah--Old gator--Grizzly bear--I need another witness for my Lord; Ray Schuler, Little Red, Harold Burton, Little Joe, Robert, Carl Richardson, Tom Paine, John C. Smith--Band--Interlude--A jump--Low down dirty shame--Taste of T-Bone; Willlie Alexander and Ray Schuler--Trouble blues; Ray Schuler, Little Red, Harold Burton, Litle Joe, Robert, Carl Richardson, Tom Paine, John C. Smith--Old babe
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-2262
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: United States, Texas, March 17, 1951.
General:
Folkways 4475
CDR copy
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.
Wings of Harmony (Alvin Johnson, Percy Wilborn, W.C. McKenny, Alex Calbretta)--Pray for me--My road is rough and rocky--Servant prayer--When on the cross of Calvary--I'm bound for the kingdom--What a time--Job--Want to be in the wilderness--You don't treat me right; Pete Seeger--Cumberland mountain bear chase--Midnight special (with group)
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-2760
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: United States, Texas, March 12, 1951.
General:
Folkways 4475
CDR copy
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.
File consists of correspondence, articles, biography, lyrics. Correspondents include: John Handcox, Ralph Rinzler, Pete Seeger, Toshi Seeger.
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:
Ralph Rinzler papers and audio recordings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
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:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
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:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
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:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
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:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Correspondence, 1968-1981 (includes photograph of Toshi at Clearwater Festival); clipping, 1981; photograph of Pete Seeger and two children
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:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
