Square Dance Foundation of New England

1976 Portland, ME Convention

2012 Hartford, CT 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/.

1993 – *Ernie & Ellie Chase (MA)

Square Dance Leaders Introduced to the square dance activity by their son and daughter in 1961, Ernie and Ellie embarked on an adventure spanning 32 years of involvement in leadership roles with strong organizational skills. Just about every New England dance organization has been influenced by them. They have …

1993 – John & Isabel Kobrock (MA)

Square Dance Leaders The presence of John and Isabel Kobrock on the dance floor was distinguished with grace and style that made them outstanding dancers and considered by those who knew them as the first lady and gentleman of square dancing in this region. Despite the fact that they shyed …

1993 – Dick & Evelyn Doyle (MA)

Square Dance Caller & Teacher Dick and Evelyn Doyle were a part of the revival of square dancing in New England and were pioneers in the club movement. It was in 1950 when Dick picked up a microphone and started calling. He became known as the Milton Thrush. With a …

1993 – Al & *Bea Brundage (CT)

Square Dance Caller & Teacher Al Brundage was inspired to square dance calling through 4-H club work when a lad of fifteen. In the early days his mother, a pianist. was the guiding hand. He called square dances during his high school and college days. Owner of the Country Barn …

1992 – Tom & Joyce Riding

Round dance Cuers & Teachers In the Square and Round Dance Activity we occasionally have the opportunity to share the accomplishments of individuals, whose dedication and commitment to community, church and the Square and Round Dance movement, is extensive. The Round Dance movement has been fortunate to have had the …

1992 – *Joe & Jean Hartka

Square Dance Leaders If an activity such as ours is to prosper, it is imperative that we have people who are willing, and able, to accept the mantle of Leadership. Joe and Jean Hartka have done this in a manner above and beyond that which one might expect. They have …