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International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection

Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Names:
United Service Organizations (U.S.)  Search this
Woods, Helen Jones, 1923-2020  Search this
Extent:
1 Cubic foot (4 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Books
Newspaper clippings
Photographs
Publicity photographs
Date:
1933-2010
bulk 1939-1946
Summary:
The International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection focuses on the all-female, racially and ethnically diverse big band group that started in 1937 and disbanded in 1949. The collection contains news clippings, photographs, correspondence, ephemera from USO travels, and newsletters. Also included are books related to the group, as well as a tribute CD and a 33 rpm vinyl sound recording.
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists mostly of photographs and news clippings documenting the International Sweethearts Band of Rhythm's performances, rehearsals, and travels. It also includes tribute materials to the band, including books and audio CDs.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into three series.

Series 1: Piney Woods School, 1937-1944

Series 2: Rosalind Cron Materials, 1933-2005

Series 3: Dixie Hardy Moon Materials, 1935-1951
Biographical / Historical:
The International Sweethearts of Rhythm were a racially and ethnically mixed swing band, all of whose members were women. They were organized in 1937 by Laurence Clifton Jones, who started the Piney Woods School near Jackson, Mississippi. He formed the band from students at Piney Woods and the band toured to raise money for the school, performing at fairs, dance halls, churches, and theaters. In 1939, the band began to tour outside of Mississippi and traveled across the American South and Midwest. In 1941 they separated from Piney Woods, started out on their own as professional musicians and relocated to Arlington, Virginia. While in Arlington, the band recruited professional musicians to replace the underage students who stayed in school. The band's venues included the Apollo Theatre and Savoy Ballroom in New York and the Howard Theatre in Washington DC They performed frequently at military bases and were quite popular during World War II. In response to requests from GIs serving overseas, the Sweethearts undertook a six month tour of Europe starting in July 1945. The tour was supported by the United Service Organization (USO) Camp Shows. The band played in Paris, France and throughout Germany, including the cities of Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Munich, and Mannheim. The group disbanded in 1949, but reunited for a reunion in 1980 at the Third Annual Women's Jazz Festival in Kansas City.

Rosalin Cron was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1925 and began playing music at nine years old. She joined the band in 1943 and primarly played the alto saxophone, but was also trained to play the clarinet and flute. Cron was a part of the overseas tour. She was with the band until 1946. Dixie Hardy Moon is the niece of founder Laurence Clifton Jones. Catherine (Cathy) Hughes, was born in 1947 in Omaha, Nebraska. She is the granddaughter of founder Laurence Clifton Jones and her mother, Helen Jones Woods (1923-2020), played the trombone with the Sweethearts. Hughes is considered a media pioneer and founder of Radio One/TV One.
Provenance:
Collection donated to the Archives Center in 2011 by Rosalind Cron.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Bands (Music) -- 1940-1950  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Female (Musical group)  Search this
Jazz -- 20th century -- United States  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Women musicians -- 1930-1950  Search this
World War, 1939-1945 -- Art and the war  Search this
Genre/Form:
Books -- 20th century
Newspaper clippings
Photographs -- 20th century
Publicity photographs
Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1218
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85c88d041-4d07-4b7f-9c60-c4253dfad1a6
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-1218
Online Media:

[Member of International Sweethearts of Rhythm playing accordion.] [Black-and-white photoprint]

Photographer:
Teal Studio (Houston, Tex.)  Search this
Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (7" x 5".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Photographer stamp: The Teal Studio, Houston, Texas, undated.
Arrangement:
Box No. 1.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000004.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archive Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
African American musicians  Search this
Accordion  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Women in music  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 3: Dixie Hardy Moon Materials / Collection of photographs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep896214841-66d6-43d7-852a-ea7b0fa5fd5b
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref585

[Member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.] [Black-and-white photoprint]

Photographer:
Bloom (Chicago, Ill.)  Search this
Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (10" x 8".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Studio portraits
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Photographer stamp (signature in white, lower left): Bloom / Chicago, undated.
Arrangement:
Box No. 1.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000005.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archive Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts fo Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Glamour photography  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Women in music  Search this
Genre/Form:
Studio portraits -- Women
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 3: Dixie Hardy Moon Materials / Collection of photographs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep840f69841-3af8-4860-b8aa-63334fa9b7cc
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref586

[Member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, trombonist.] [Black-and-white photoprint]

Photographer:
Bloom (Chicago, Ill.)  Search this
Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (10" x 8".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Photographer stamp: Bloom / Chicago, in white at lower right, undated.
Arrangement:
Box No. 1.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000007.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archive Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts fo Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Trombone  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 3: Dixie Hardy Moon Materials / Collection of photographs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8163a5855-3307-4a10-ade9-5a2b0f19b076
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref588

["Sweethearts" in performance : black-and-white photoprint]

Collector:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Names:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Lee (Wong), Willie Mae  Search this
Winburn, Anna Mae  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 8" x 10".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
1944
Scope and Contents:
Anna Mae Winburn, band leader; Willie Mae Wong, left, bottom row; Rosalind "Roz" Cron, second from left, bottom row. "1944, Club Riviera, St. Louis, Mo., After-hour club, 11:00 to 4:00am".
Arrangement:
Series #2: Rosalind "Roz" Cron, Box No. 1, folder no. ?
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000067.tif (AC Scan No.)
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 1937-1949", from March 25, 2011 through May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, curator.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 3: Dixie Hardy Moon Materials / Collection of photographs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8908bbc4d-ab23-4fc7-b7a3-28fbc40da5d9
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref600

FLASH! BULLETIN! [color news sheet]

Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Ink on paper., 18" x 10-3/4".)
Type:
Archival materials
Advertisements
Scope and Contents:
ca. August, 1939.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000079m.tif (AC Scan No.)
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 1937-1949", from March 25, 2011 through May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, curator.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Advertisements -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 2: Rosalind Cron Materials / News clippings and bulletins
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep857daeb85-d501-4cab-9128-c13e42dfd376
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref612

HEART BEATS / News of "The International Sweethearts of Rhythm". [black and white advertisement]

Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Ink on paper., 22" x 8-3/4".)
Type:
Archival materials
Advertisements
Broadsides
Scope and Contents:
Undated broadside with image of tour bus.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000080m.tif (AC Scan No.)
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 1937-1949", from March 25, 2011 through May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, curator.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Buses  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Advertisements -- 1930-1950
Broadsides -- 1940-1980
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 2: Rosalind Cron Materials / News clippings and bulletins
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8c30667aa-752a-4c5d-a045-9834a01aadca
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref613

["Sweethearts" practice session: saxophone section. Black-and-white photoprint.]

Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 4-5/8" x 7".)
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Undated.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000086.tif (AC Scan No.)
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 1937-1949", from March 25, 2011 through May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, curator.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Saxophone  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Photographs -- 1940-1950 -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 3: Dixie Hardy Moon Materials / Collection of photographs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep853ffbb63-aa47-4748-9ccc-1deedfb639e0
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref630

Clotilde Arias Papers

Topic:
Star-spangled banner (Song)
Donor:
Arias, Roger  Search this
Creator:
United States. Dept. of State  Search this
Arias, Clotilde, 1901-1959  Search this
Thompson, J. Walter (advertising agency).  Search this
Extent:
3 Cubic feet (8 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Immigration records
Music
Contracts
Correspondence
Compact discs
Scrapbooks
Sheet music
Parts (musical)
Songbooks
Photographs
Commercial art
Date:
1919-1957
2009
Summary:
This collection documents the life and career of Peruvian musician, composer, and translator Clotilde Arias. Her work includes a Department of State-commissioned translation of "The Star-Spangled Banner" titled "El Pendón Estrellado", advertising jingles, original compositions, and translations of music originally written in English. She also was heavily involved in numerous Pan-American organizations including La Unión de Mujeres Americanas/United American Women.This collection contains correspondence, music manuscripts, photographs,newspaper clippings and printed materials, and four compact discs.
Scope and Contents:
The collection documents the life and career of Clotilde Arias, who was chosen by the U.S. State Department to write a Spanish translation to "The Star Spangled Banner," during the years of the Good Neighbor Policy. In addition to materials related to her translation of the National Anthem, entitled "El Pendón Estrellado," the collection includes music manuscripts, lyrics, composition notebooks, parts for instruments, and correspondence with the State Department. This collection also contains papers related to Arias's work in advertising, her work as a translator, and her own business records. Personal papers include correspondence, immigration and naturalization documents, printed material, and photographs as well as items from a scrapbook. Also included are compact discs containing images from items in the collection.
Arrangement:
This collection is composed of six series.

Series 1: Personal Papers, 1923-1956

Series 2. Music Materials, 1921-1953

Series 3. "El Pendón Estrellado"/"The Star Spangled Banner," 1919-1954, 2009

Series 4. "Himno de las Américas"/"Hymn of the Americas," 1939-1945

Series 5. Miscellaneous Printed Materials, 1942-1956

Series 6. Photographs and Scrapbook, 1939-1957
Biographical / Historical:
Clotilde Arias was a Peruvian-born musician, composer, and translator who lived in New York City following her migration from Iquitos, Peru, to the United States in the 1920s. Her full name was Maria Clotilde Arias and she briefly took her husband Jose Anduaga's last name during their marriage from 1929 to 1942 but was known most often as Clotilde Arias. With Jose Anduaga, Arias had one son, Roger Arias. While she is known for her Department of State-commissioned translation of "The Star-Spangled Banner" titled "El Pendón Estrellado," Arias worked diligently as a translator and musician in a variety of contexts as well as working with a variety of organizations that promoted Pan-Americanism. Prior to her life in the United States, Arias worked for the Iquitos newspaper El Oriente writing satirical pieces related to local issues. Arias died in 1959 in New York City.
Provenance:
Donated to the Archives Center, National Museum of American History, by Clotilde Arias's son, Roger Arias in 2010.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Occupation:
Composers  Search this
Topic:
Translations  Search this
Translators  Search this
Good neighbor policy  Search this
National songs  Search this
advertising  Search this
Women musicians -- 1930-1950  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Advertising agencies  Search this
Women in the advertising industry  Search this
Women -- Peru  Search this
Women composers  Search this
Music by women composers  Search this
Women composers -- United States  Search this
Pan-Americanism  Search this
Commercial art  Search this
Jingles (Advertising songs)  Search this
Jingles (Advertising songs) -- Writing and publishing  Search this
Minorities in advertising  Search this
Music in advertising  Search this
Women translators  Search this
Naturalization records  Search this
Genre/Form:
Immigration records
Music -- Manuscripts
Contracts
Correspondence -- 20th century
Compact discs
Scrapbooks -- 20th century
Sheet music -- 1920-1960
Parts (musical)
Songbooks
Photographs -- 20th century
Commercial art
Citation:
Clotilde Arias Papers, 1919-1957, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1164
See more items in:
Clotilde Arias Papers
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8ac4199a3-dcfe-4246-bf83-82fa845a0eca
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-1164
Online Media:

[Newspaper clippings (3) from Chicago Defender.]

Photographer:
Teal Studio (Houston, Tex.)  Search this
Collector:
Piney Woods School  Search this
Creator:
Chicago Defender (newspaper)  Search this
Names:
Rothchild, Bernice  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Ink on paper., 11.5" x 9.9".)
Container:
Box 1, Folder 10
Type:
Archival materials
Photomechanical prints
Clippings
Newspaper clippings
Photographs
Place:
Florida -- 1930-1940 -- Photographs
Scope and Contents:
"Plays Bass" March 23, 1940--photo of Bernice Rothchild playing bass. Photographer stamp: Teal photo. "'Sweethearts' Please Swing Fans in Fla." March 23, 1940. "Sweethearts of Rhythm Score On Annual Tour" Aug. 3, 1940. Page originally in scrapbook (verso of AC1218-0000023).
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000024.tif (AC Scan No.)
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Bass violin  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photomechanical prints -- 1900-1950
Clippings -- 1940-1950
Newspaper clippings
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 2: Rosalind Cron Materials / Loose pages from scrapbook
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep81f7ad2de-1a7b-4cd3-86ca-0c24267103ae
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref659

Virgil Whyte "All-Girl" Band Collection

Collector:
Kovan, Florice Whyte  Search this
Author:
Whyte, Virgil (bandleader)  Search this
Names:
United Service Organizations (U.S.)  Search this
Virgil Whyte's "All-Girl" Band  Search this
Extent:
3 Cubic feet (11 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Postage stamps
Videotapes
Audiotapes
Postcards
Soap
Labels
Letterheads
Announcements
Clippings
Photomechanical prints
Photographs
Packages
Diaries
Place:
Racine (Wis.) -- 1940-1950
Date:
1942-1948, 1991-1993
Scope and Contents:
Includes 7 VHS videotapes and 1 audio tape produced by Florice Whyte Kovan, containing interviews and recollections by some band members. Studio portraits and snapshot photographs in 3 scrapbooks, which also contain display advertisements and newspaper clippings from about the band, 1940s. Snapshots include documentation of the band's travels and leisure activities while on the road, including swimming, horseback riding, etc. Packaged hotel soap bars collected by Betty Hansen during the bands' touring documents their itinerary, as do picture postcards written by Alice Smaus Jacoby.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into seven series.

Series 1: Unmounted snapshots

Series 2: Scrapbooks

Series 3: Alice Smaus Jacoby's postcards

Series 4: Packaged soap samples

Series 5: Audiovisual Materials

Series 6: Framed Portrait Photoprints

Series 7: Oversized Photoprints

The scrapbook pages are arranged in original order, apparently partly chronological, but series 1 snapshots are in topical order.
Biographical / Historical:
Founded 1942 in Racine, Wis., by Virgil Whyte, his "all-girl" band was composed of young Racine women. Whyte was instructor, manager, and the initial leader on drums; later his sister Alice took over as drummer. After initial success in Racine and elsewhere in Wisconsin, the band began to accept engagements in other parts of the country, eventually touring the U.S. The band's success drew other acts and performers, including Jill Fontaine and the Wilford Mae Trio, Sam Hearn (known as "Schlepperman"), the Woodson Sisters, and Paul La Verre and Bro. They did U.S.O. tours, entertaining servicemen.

The principal donor, a free-lance researcher and writer, is the daughter of Virgil Whyte.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Florice Kovan, 1993.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Occupation:
Tap dancers -- 1940-1950  Search this
Topic:
Travel photography -- 1940-1950 -- U.S.  Search this
Barracks -- 1940-1950  Search this
Railroad passenger cars  Search this
Horseback riding -- 1940-1950  Search this
Singers -- 1940-1950  Search this
Comedians -- 1940-1950  Search this
Jazz musicians -- 1940-1950  Search this
Band music -- 1940-1950  Search this
World War, 1939-1945 -- Musicians  Search this
Horses -- 1940-1950  Search this
Women musicians -- 1930-1950  Search this
Beaches -- 1940-1950  Search this
Swimming pools -- 1940-1950  Search this
Swimming -- 1940-1950  Search this
Jazz -- 1940-1950  Search this
Portraits -- Women  Search this
Genre/Form:
Postage stamps
Videotapes
Audiotapes
Postcards
Soap -- Packaged
Labels
Letterheads
Announcements
Clippings
Photomechanical prints
Photographs -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin -- 1940-1950
Packages
Diaries
Citation:
Virgil Whyte's "All-Girl" Band Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0503
See more items in:
Virgil Whyte "All-Girl" Band Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep862348874-be31-467f-81fb-a872a712966b
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0503
Online Media:

["Musigals" and bus (Virgil Whyte's "all-girl band") : photoprint]

Photographer:
Whyte, Virgil (bandleader)  Search this
Names:
Musigals.  Search this
Collection Collector:
Kovan, Florice Whyte  Search this
Collection Author:
Whyte, Virgil (bandleader)  Search this
Extent:
2 Items (photoprints, approx. 2" x 4".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
[ca. 1942.]
Scope and Contents:
2 photoprints from same negative, 1 with margins, the other with margins trimmed off. Pencil identifications on verso of untrimmed print. Shows touring band standing beside their bus. As Virgil Whyte is not shown, he may have taken the photograph.
Local Numbers:
96-2288 (OPPS Neg.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with cotton gloves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Women musicians -- 1930-1950  Search this
Bands (Music) -- 1940-1950  Search this
Buses -- 1940-1950  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1940-1950 -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin
Collection Citation:
Virgil Whyte's "All-Girl" Band Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Virgil Whyte "All-Girl" Band Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8e5d9fac8-bf19-4b50-b8c0-debcb5eb439f
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0503-ref559

Virgil Whyte's Musical Sweethearts: America's Champion Girl Band (photograph,)

Names:
Jazz Photographs: Composed and Improvised (Archives Center display cases, National Museum of American History, March 28-May 10, 2005).  Search this
Virgil Whyte's "All-Girl" Band  Search this
Whyte  Search this
Whyte, Virgil (bandleader)  Search this
Collection Collector:
Kovan, Florice Whyte  Search this
Collection Author:
Whyte, Virgil (bandleader)  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (8" x 10".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
ca. 1943
Scope and Contents:
Later known as Virgil Whyte's "All-Girl" Band. Photo includes: Dorothy Reigart, Gertrude Gosieski Whyte, Alice Smaus, Jeanette Kramer, and Virginia Shumaker. Front contains text: "Personal Direction Ralph Williams Music Service 203 No. Wabash Chicago [IL?]."
Local Numbers:
AC0503-0000001
Exhibitions Note:
Shown in exhibition "Jazz Photographs: Composed and Improvised," Archives Center display cases, National Museum of American History, March 28-May 10, 2005.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Jazz musicians  Search this
Women musicians -- 1930-1950  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1950-2000 -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin
Collection Citation:
Virgil Whyte's "All-Girl" Band Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Virgil Whyte "All-Girl" Band Collection
Virgil Whyte "All-Girl" Band Collection / Series 6: Framed Portrait Photoprints / Frames
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep845208da8-f15e-44d9-a679-3f9a960af1ec
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0503-ref561

Helen May Butler Collection

Creator:
Young, Helen May Butler  Search this
Names:
Helen May Butler's Ladies Military Band.  Search this
United States. Congress. Senate -- 1930-1940  Search this
Butler, Helen May  Search this
Former owner:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Musical Instruments  Search this
Extent:
1 Cubic foot (3 boxes, one oversize folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Programs
Scrapbooks
Sheet music
Correspondence
Advertising fliers
Postcards
Posters
Clippings
Photographs
Place:
Saint Louis (Mo.) -- 1890-1920
Boston (Mass.)
Charleston (S.C.)
Buffalo (N.Y.)
Date:
1899-1937
bulk 1902-1902
Scope and Contents:
The materials cover the career of a woman bandmaster with an all women's traveling military band from 1898-1913, with the bulk of the material ca. 1902. Contents include clippings, photographs, programs, sheet music, hand noted music, posters, post cards, advertising fliers, letters, telegram, biographical article announcing candidacy for U.S. Senate seat in 1936, and "The Flood of 1937" section of the Cincinnati Post, February 13, 1937. Bands included Helen May Butler's Ladies Military Band, Talma Ladies Orchestra, U.S. Talma Ladies Military Band.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into one series.
Biographical / Historical:
Helen May Butler, woman bandmaster, directed an all-women traveling military band from 1898 to 1913. "Music for the American people, by American composers, played by American girls" was one of the band's mottoes. Born in New Hamphire in 1873, she pursued a variety of musical studies and became an accomplished performer in both violin and cornet. She announced candidacy for a U.S. Senate seat in 1936.
Provenance:
Collections donated by Helen May Butler Young, June 1962.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Women musicians -- 1890-1920  Search this
Bands (Music) -- 1890-1920  Search this
Bandmasters -- 1890-1920  Search this
advertising  Search this
Music -- Performance -- 1890-1920  Search this
Musicians -- 1890-1920  Search this
Floods  Search this
Brass bands -- 1890-1920  Search this
Genre/Form:
Programs
Scrapbooks
Sheet music
Correspondence -- 1930-1950
Advertising fliers -- 1890-1920
Postcards
Posters -- 1880-1900
Clippings -- 1890-1920
Photographs -- 1900-1950
Citation:
Helen May Butler Collection, 1899-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0261
See more items in:
Helen May Butler Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep87154ddaa-d4cc-4d1c-9023-e2158eab4075
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0261
Online Media:

[Pauline Braddy, member of The Piney Woods All Girls Band, Sweethearts of Rhythm, drummer]. [black-and-white photoprint]

Photographer:
Teal Studio (Houston, Tex.)  Search this
Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Names:
Braddy, Pauline  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 7" x 5".)
Container:
Box 1
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Photographer stamp: The Teal Studio, Houston, Texas, undated.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000001.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archive Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts fo Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Drums  Search this
Drummers (Musicians)  Search this
Women in music  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 1: Piney Woods School / Photographs of individual musicians and entire band
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep86715f16e-5fe1-48ac-9a0c-734f8fc0e8b8
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref582

[International Sweethearts of Rhythm, saxophonist]. [black-and-white photoprint]

Photographer:
Teal Studio (Houston, Tex.)  Search this
Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 7" x 5".)
Container:
Box 1
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Photographer stamp on verso: The Teal Studio, Houston, Texas, undated.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000002.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archive Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts fo Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Saxophone  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 1: Piney Woods School / Photographs of individual musicians and entire band
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8a95a16c8-5ecd-40ad-b487-1bc42f0d04a5
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref583

[International Sweethearts of Rhythm, pianist.] [Black-and-white photoprint]

Photographer:
Teal Studio (Houston, Tex.)  Search this
Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 7" x 5".)
Container:
Box 1
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Photographer stamp: The Teal Studio, Houston, Texas, undated.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000003.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archives Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts fo Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Piano  Search this
Pianists  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 1: Piney Woods School / Photographs of individual musicians and entire band
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85b603a84-a769-4799-8b4f-74d33c268190
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref584

[Sadie D. Whitehead, member of the Sweethearts of Rhythm-Piney Woods Band, trumpeter.] [Black-and-white photoprint]

Photographer:
Teal Studio (Houston, Tex.)  Search this
Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Names:
Whitehead, Sadie D.  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 7" x 5".)
Container:
Box 1
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Photographer stamp: The Teal Studio, Houston, Texas, undated.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000006.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archive Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts fo Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Trumpet  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
African American musicians  Search this
Women in music  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 1: Piney Woods School / Photographs of individual musicians and entire band
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8644582c4-b767-4b59-bd36-b61c6336cc68
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref587

[Member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm playing accordion]. [black-and-white photoprint]

Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., Approx. 9" x 7" on 10" x 8" sheet.)
Container:
Box 1
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Undated. Muddy-looking print.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000008.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archive Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts fo Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Accordion  Search this
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
African American musicians  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 2: Rosalind Cron Materials / Photographs of Rosalind Cron
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8ff18d4b3-c048-4d7f-ab5f-92943831cf10
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref589

International Sweethearts of Rhythm [imprint under photograph.] [Black-and-white photoprint]

Donor:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
Names:
Boyd, Ina Belle  Search this
Grisham, Ione  Search this
Grisham, Irene  Search this
Jones, Helen  Search this
Lee (Wong), Willie Mae  Search this
Collection Creator:
Cron, Rosalind  Search this
International Sweethearts of Rhythm  Search this
Piney Woods School  Search this
Moon, Dixie Hardy  Search this
Hughes, Cathy  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 8" x 10" sheet.)
Container:
Box 1
Culture:
African Americans  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Scope and Contents:
Left to right: Ina Belle Boyd, Helen Jones, Irene and Ione Grisham, Willie Mae Lee (Wong). Piney Woods Archives, undated.
Local Numbers:
AC1218-0000009.tif (AC Scan No.)
General:
Archive Center's Women in Jazz
Exhibitions Note:
Displayed in Archives Center exhibition, "Women and Jazz: The International Sweethearts fo Rhythm, 1937-1949," March 25-May 31, 2011. Craig Orr, Curator.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Big band music  Search this
Women musicians  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Bands (Music)  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Women in music  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1930-1950
Collection Citation:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection
International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection / Series 1: Piney Woods School / Photographs of individual musicians and entire band
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8efea5c0b-a908-41f8-9c20-02309bf05257
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1218-ref590

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