Repository

Repository Name: Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Archives
Repository Location: Becket, Massachusetts 01223

Date

1890 – 1972 (Inclusive date(s))
1920 – 1972 (Bulk date(s))

Extent

10 boxes

Related Entities

Ruth St. Denis (is related to)
Brother St. Denis (is related to)
Ted Shawn (is related to)

Abstract

Co-founder of Denishawn and wife of Ted Shawn, Ruth St. Denis performed and appeared at Jacob's Pillow many times from 1940 until her death in 1968. This collection comprises original professional and personal correspondence, which details her financial affairs, performance engagements and business matters related to a documentary film by St. Ives Productions, Inc. The collection also include nine binders of poetry, written by St. Denis, as well as pre-published manuscripts of Lotus Light and her autobiography. The bulk of the collection is photographs, which span from Denishawn in 1915 through the 1960s. Also included are audio recordings and various memorabilia kept by her brother, most commonly referred to as Brother St. Denis.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Brother St. Denis Collection. Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Archives, Becket, MA.

Custodial history

Ruth St. Denis' great-niece stored materials which were passed along to her from Brother St. Denis. Papers were kept in original three-ring binders and other enclosures; most were originals assembled by Ruth St. Denis herself. Many photographs were later re-sorted and organized before the donation, most often due to lack of any other recognizable arrangement. Materials in this collection remain mostly in original order, but were re-foldered and added to archival boxes.

Provenance

Gena St. Denis Way

Scope and content

The collection includes original professional and personal correspondence, which details her financials affairs, performance engagements and various business matters. The collection also includes nine binders of poetry, written by St. Denis, as well as pre-published manuscripts of Lotus Light and her autobiography. Notable materials includes letters and contracts related to a documentary film by St. Ives Productions, Inc., one-way correspondence and drawings sent to St. Denis by Ruth Harwood (illustrator of Lotus Light), and letters between St. Denis and her brother on both personal and professional affairs.

Also included are photographs, which document Denishawn students/dancers in performances and rehearsals, as well as Ruth St. Denis is both portrait and performance photography. Other materials include sound recordings and framed items, including a portrait of St. Denis as a child.

System of arrangement

See series for specific notes on arrangement. Generally, the collection is organized by type of material.

Conditions governing access

This collection is open for research. Advance notice required for access by contacting the Director of Preservation.

Technical access

Sound recordings are currently unable to be played. Digitization and preservation forthcoming.

Languages and scripts on the material

Materials are in English

Related archival materials

Ruth St. Denis papers, 1880-1968, UCLA Special Collections,  Charles E. Young Research Library
Ruth St. Denis collection, Adelphi University Library (link to finding aid)

Processing Information

Date Created: 2015
Information: Brittany Austin, Project Archivist