[Identification of item], Brother St. Denis Collection. Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Archives, Becket, MA.
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.
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.
See series for specific notes on arrangement. Generally, the collection is organized by type of material.
This collection is open for research. Advance notice required for access by contacting the Director of Preservation.
Sound recordings are currently unable to be played. Digitization and preservation forthcoming.
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)
Date Created: 2015
Information: Brittany Austin, Project Archivist