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Posted by: Stephanie Hall
Katherine Dunham is perhaps most famous for her influence on modern American dance with the introduction of African and Caribbean dance movement. That work began with ethnographic work in the Caribbean in 1936. Films made during her research have been put online by the Music Division of the Library of Congress in Selections from the …
Posted in: African American History, Dance, Women's History
Posted by: Stephanie Hall
On February 18, 2020, the Library of Congress hosted an unusual event, a celebration of African American dolls and puppets sponsored by the American Folklife Center’s Benjamin Botkin Lecture Series. Folklorist Camila Bryce-Laporte and fellow artist, Dr. Deborah Grayson, presented several artists from Maryland and the District of Columbia. The event also included a wonderful …
Posted in: African American History, African Americans, Folk Art, Women's History
Posted by: Megan Harris
This is the fifth in a series exploring favorite Veterans History Project collections, chosen by the staff of the American Folklife Center (AFC) and the Veterans History Project (VHP) to be included in our new online exhibit celebrating 20 years of VHP. Each post in the series will offer “love letters” written by AFC and …
Posted in: African American History, Korean War, Narratives, Storytelling, Veterans History Project, Vietnam War, World War II
Posted by: Megan Harris
This is the fourth in a series exploring favorite Veterans History Project collections, chosen by the staff of the American Folklife Center (AFC) and the Veterans History Project (VHP) to be included in our new online exhibit celebrating 20 years of VHP. Each post in the series will offer “love letters” written by AFC and …
Posted in: African American History, Iraq War, Narratives, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project
Posted by: Michelle Stefano
In May, I wrote about a project that was keeping me busy, and providing a nice escape from the mental confines of my well-worn, Baltimore couch. While I cannot believe it is already August, I am happy to announce that the project is all set and ready to share! Chicago Blues and Jazz: Selections from …
Posted in: AFC History, AFC Publications, African American History, African Americans, Blues, Folklorists, Jazz, Story Map
Posted by: Lisa Taylor
The following is a guest blog post by Yvonne Brown, a processing technician for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP). It is the sixth in a series from VHP staff. Click on the following names to read previous articles in this series: Tamika Brown– Processing Technician Andrew Huber– Liaison Specialist Tracey Dodson– Administrative …
Posted in: African American History, African Americans, Narratives, Oral History, Photographs, Religion, Storytelling, Veterans History Project, Vietnam War, World War II
Posted by: Stephen Winick
In the Homegrown Plus series, we present Homegrown concerts that also had accompanying oral history interviews, placing both together in an easy-to-find blog post. (Find the whole series here!) We’re continuing the series with Cora Harvey Armstrong, a gospel singer, piano player, songwriter, choir director, and bandleader born and raised in King and Queen County, Virginia. The Richmond-born …
Posted in: AFC Events, African American History, Homegrown Concert Series, Homegrown Plus
Posted by: Kerry Ward
This is the second blog in a series marking the 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II and will feature an “Aviator Flight Log Book” which will be available during the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover in September 2020. If you were offered a chance to learn to fly at little to no cost, …
Posted in: African American History, Occupations and Specialties in Service, Oral History, Veterans History Project, Women's History, World War II
Posted by: Michelle Stefano
This post is part of a series called Staff Finds During Difficult Times, in which staff members discuss collections and items that have been inspiring them while they are working at home during the Covid-19 pandemic or in other difficult circumstances. Find the whole series here! While working from home these weeks, I have been grateful …
Posted in: African American History, Blues, Staff Finds During Difficult Times