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/.

1989 – Dick & Judy Severance

Square Dance Leaders Dick and Judy Severance represent the type of Square Dancers of whom our activity can be proud. They have been active not only in Square Dancing, but in the Community as well and have received recognition on the Community, State and National levels. Starting square dancing in …

1988 – John & Helen Page

Square Dance Leaders Mr. and Mrs. Friendly Mixers certainly applies to John and Helen Page. Since they started Square Dancing in 1965 and Round Dancing in 1970 their participation in our activity has been one of total commitment. As Angels for each class and part of Square Dance Demos and …

1987 – *Ernie & Ellie Chase

Square Dance Leaders Ernie and Ellie Chase have unselfishly given of themselves to their community and the square dance activity in a leadership role with various organizations, all for the betterment of the community and square dancing. Their organizational skills are outstanding and their accomplishments are many in a sharing …

1986 – Tom & Barbara Potts

Square Dance Caller & Teacher The Square and Round Dance Movement requires the efforts of many people in all aspects of the activity. Some in the limelight and others, working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly and on track. Tom and Barbara Potts have been consistent leaders in …

1985 – Ed & *Peg Fenton

Square Dance Leaders The Square and Round Dance Movement cannot continue to exist without the dedication of the dancer who volunteers his time, his energy and even his money to promote the activity. Ed and Peg Fenton are perfect examples of that type of dedicated people. Ones who thoroughly enjoy …

1984 – *Jim & Mary Harris

Square Dance Caller & Teacher “People are the most important, they benefit, they must have fun, and they must win”. This is the belief that Jim and Mary Harris have in their teaching and leadership in the square and round dance activity. Jim started square and round dancing as a …