Square Dance Foundation of New England

2012 Hartford, CT Convention

1976 Portland, ME Convention

2012 Hartford, CT Convention

1976 Portland, ME Convention

Welcome to the Square Dance Foundation of New England!

The Library/Museum of the Square Dance Foundation of New England (SDFNE) has been closed, however the SDFNE continues to exists as an online entity at: http://www.sdfne.org. It is important to realize that a large collection of materials from the SDFNE collection are available on the SDFNE.org web site. Most important among these are the full set of Bob Brundage interviews with more than 100 leading square dance people from the past 60 or more years and the complete digitized issues of the New England Caller/Northeast Square Dancer magazines. The complete publications of five major caller note services are also available on the web site. There are many other items available for viewing.

The collection of historical materials has been transferred to the University of New Hampshire. The Milne Special Collections Library there has what is probably the largest collection of square dance related material anywhere in the world. As we closed our museum we moved a huge amount of books, documents, recordings, photographs and other items to the UNH Library. These added to the already substantial collections we had been sending over the past decade. The task of organizing and cataloging this material will take years. To help support the University’s work on this task the SDFNE has recently made a contribution of $5000 and we hope to continue this support in the future.

Many of the books and records that we have shared with UNH over the past decade have already been cataloged and are listed on the UNH web site. To search for books use the web address: https://www.library.unh.edu/ then enter the keyword SDFNE. Click here to look for records and enter the collection name SDFNE. Other types of materials will require a more specific identification and help with searching the very complete donation lists that the Foundation has on our computers. If you are searching for something like that, contact Jim Mayo: jmayo329@aol.com or John Wedge: jbwedge@gmail.com.

In November of 2016, the SDFNE transferred much of the remainder of it's museum documents and artifacts to the Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, NY. At this time, Square Dancing is not yet mentioned on the web site of the Museum of Dance, however they have informed us that they will be featuring a special page and a display on Square Dancing in the near future. Our contact is programming and outreach director coordinator, Jessica Munson. Her email address is: info@dancemuseum.org. They're web site is: http://www.dancemuseum.org/.

Also, check out the Square Dance History Site at: https://squaredancehistory.org/.

Nelson, Ron

Ron Nelson – June 21, 2008 Bob Brundage – Well, hi again. This is Bob Brundage and today is June the 21st, 2008 and today we’re talking with a gentleman out in , California, Mr. Ron Nelson. Ron has developed a very interesting program that I’m especially interested in finding …

Osgood, Bob & Becky: SIO Hall of Fame, CALLERLAB Milestone

ROBERT (BOB) LEWIS OSGOOD 1918 – 2003 Bob was often heard to say, “Square dancing is friendship set to music.” Dedicated to bringing people together through square dancing, Bob committed his talent, energy, resources, and love to the promotion of the activity for 60 years. His leadership was recognized …

2006 – Brian & Martha Beckman (ME)

We are here today to present the Local Legend Award to Brian & Martha Beckman who have given many years of dedicated service to this dance community. The LOCAL LEGEND AWARD was established to honor those individuals and couples who have advanced the goals of the SQUARE DANCE FOUNDATION …

2006 – Lennie & Connie Houle

Square Dance Leaders The couple we honor tonight has been very active in the Square Dance movement for over forty years. LEN & CONNIE HOULE started square dancing in 1964 with the Sparkling Spinners and the Paper City Squares. They also started Round Dancing with The Happy Pairs and are …

2006 – Irv “Toots” & Claire Tousignant (MA)

Like many of us, we were forced to start the Square Dance Activity. In 1951 Claire and I started our Square Dance career with six lessons in Howard Switzers cellar. In those days Throw in the Clutch and Smoke on the Water were the challenge dances. Then it was on …

2006 – Barbara & Frank Strong (MA)

We are here today to present the Local Legend Award to Barbara & Frank Strong who have given many years of dedicated service to the Square and Round Dance community. The LOCAL LEGEND AWARD was established to honor those individuals and couples who have advanced the goals of the SQUARE …