FRANCES DENSMORE:

An Inventory of Her Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Part or all of this collection is restricted.
For details, please see restrictions.

OVERVIEW


	Creator:	Densmore, Frances, 1867-1957, creator.
	Title:	Frances Densmore papers.
	Dates:	1926-1939.
	Abstract:	Essays, addresses, and articles prepared by Densmore, a Red Wing (Minn.) native and authority on American Indian music, accompanied by photographs (some taken by Densmore) used in publications of the U.S. Bureau of American Ethnology.
	Quantity:	0.25 cubic feet (1 partial box).
	Location:	See Detailed Description for shelf location.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Frances Theresa Densmore was born in Red Wing, Minnesota on May 21, 1867, the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Adelaide (Greenland) Densmore.

Densmore studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (1884-1886) and at Harvard University (1889-1890). In 1893 she began studying the music of American Indian peoples and eventually became an authority in American Indian ethnomusicology. Working with the Bureau of American Ethnology of the Smithsonian Institution, and other organizations, she recorded the music of many Indian tribes in the United States. Densmore died in Red Wing on June 5, 1957.

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SCOPE AND CONTENTS

The papers discuss Dakota and Ojibwe music, ceremonies, stories, and crafts. They include a transcript of an interview with Good Star Woman, recalling the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862; a list of Dakota place names provided by Makawastewin; sketches of Ojibwe leaders White Fisher, White Cloud, Flat Mouth, and Hole-in-the-Day; and transcriptions of songs she recorded in British Columbia in 1926.

Also included are reminiscences of several Red Wing pioneers, giving information on Red Wing; missionary experiences; banking; Norwegian, Belgian, and German immigration; and other aspects of the area's history.

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions:

Originals are closed. Access and use requires the curator’s permission.

These files are located off site in Remote Storage. Advance arrangements are required in order to view the files.

Please consult reference staff for more information.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Frances Densmore Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples

Accession Information:

Accession number: unnumbered; 3866; 3902; 6573; 7213; 11,021; 12,722

Processing Information:

Processed by: Dennis Meissner, March 2004

Digitized by: Minnesota Historical Society, October 2019

Catalog ID number: 990017181700104294

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION


Location
302.F.14.8F	Miscellaneous Manuscripts:
		Radio talks, numbers 1-3, 1932.
			Three radio talks aired on WCCO Radio, Minneapolis, all dealing with Minnesota Indian peoples. The talks were produced under the auspices of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Radio Talk No. 1 (February 23, 5 pp.) discusses Dakota and Ojibwe music, especially as used in peace ceremonies, honoring tribal leaders, curing illness, and love songs. Radio Talk No. 2 (March 2, 5 pp.) relates aspects of the the lives of several Ojibwe chiefs, especially White Fisher (Wobijig), White Cloud (Wabanaquot), Flat Mouth (Eshkebugokoshe), Hole-in-the-Day (Bugonegijig), and Wadena. Radio Talk No. 3 (March 9, 6 pp.) deals with traditional Ojibwe stories and industries. Densmore explains that changes occurred in the stories after white contact, including the incorporation of European fairy tales and legends. Industries include timekeeping, homemaking, maple sugar production, fishing, hunting, trapping, and gathering fruits, vegetables, and wild rice.
			Digital version
		A Sioux Woman's Account of the Uprising in Minnesota, approximately 1934.
			Densmore relates the origins and significant events comprising the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 as remembered by a Dakota woman, Good Star Woman (Wicahpewastewin, also known as Dorine Blacksmith), who was eight years old at the time of the events.
			Digital version
		Sioux Place Names in the Vicinity of Red Wing, Minnesota, Given by Makawastewin, an Aged Sioux Woman, approximately 1934.
			Digital version
		Prelude to the Study of Indian Music in Minnesota, approximately 1940.
			A narrative of the events that led to Densmore's study of Dakota and Ojibwe music in Minnesota; information on the Ojibwe Midewiwin ceremony, the death of Ojibwe chief Flat Mouth, and various Indian celebrations; and her tribute to Indian and white friends.
			Digital version
		Reminiscences by Mr. Henry P. McIntire, Read Before the Goodhue County Historical Society, January 6, 1927.
			Typescript reminiscences relate aspects of the early history of Red Wing beginning with McIntire's 1856 arrival at age twelve. He notes early businesses and buildings, settlers, Dakota Indians in the area and their activities, and steamboat and barge traffic on the Mississippi.
			Digital version
		Notes on the Life of Mrs. Julia Warren Spears, approximately 1908-1950.
			The rough draft, which was transmitted to the Minnesota Historical Society in 1950, is based on notes that Densmore made in 1908 or 1909 while she was working at White Earth. She relates the history of the Warren family in the Ojibwe country, beginning in 1671. She relates the life of Julia Warren from her 1833 birth at La Pointe, the daughter of fur trader Lyman Warren, through her career as an Indian school teacher, and her 1925 death in Detroit Lakes.
			Digital version
		Fragment of childhood story written by Densmore, 1873.
			Digital version


Interviews with Red Wing Pioneers, 1939:
	Densmore conducted oral history interviews with five early settlers, and then prepared the typescript summaries that are included here.
	A Missionary Journey to Minnesota in 1893, Related by Miss Pauline Colby to Frances Densmore.
		Describes Colby's experiences as an Episcopal missionary to the Ojibwe Indians at White Earth and Leech Lake. The manuscript was later published in Minnesota History 20:310-313.
		Digital version
	The Beginnings of Banking in Red Wing: Reminiscences of William H. Grow.
		Grow gives information on the first banking enterprises in Red Wing, early bankers, and other financial leaders.
		Digital version
	Reminiscences of Mrs. A. F. Andersen.
		Information on the migration of the Andersen family from Norway, her birth in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and the family's move to Minnesota in 1862. She discusses covered wagon travel, wheat harvesting, Indians, early Red Wing churches and church leaders, the Civil War, food preparation, and clothing.
		Digital version
	Reminiscences of Frank Sherman.
		Sherman gives information on his family history, the Philleo and Densmore families, early Red wing business enterprises, Richter's grocery store, which Sherman later operated, schools, stage coach lines, hotels, food, amusements (fairs, circuses), and members of the Hubbard family.
		Digital version
	Reminiscences of Mrs. George W. Diepenbrock.
		Diepenbrock relates her family's emigration from Belgium, her birth in New York state in 1845, the family's arrival in Red Wing in 1861, and pioneer life in Red Wing. The remainder is largely concerned with her husband George's family and their emigration from Germany.
		Digital version


		Transcriptions of songs from Indians in British Columbia, 1926.
			Copies of holograph sheet music transcriptions of 75 songs recorded by Densmore in 1926. The Indians were said to be from widely dispersed parts of British Columbia, but had gathered at Chilliwac, B.C., for the annual picking of hops. The transcriptions, accompanied by a typed song list, were apparently gathered for transmittal to Twentieth Century-Fox Studios. The transcribed and recorded songs are the property of the Bureau of American Ethnology.
			Digital version


		Photographic prints published in "Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians," 44th Annual Report, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1928. 2 folders.
			Consists of black and white photographic prints, with captions, mounted on scrapbook pages. The photographs comprised the illustration plates that accompanied this publication by Densmore, which appeared as part of the 44th annual report of the Bureau of American Ethnology.
			Folder 1
			Folder 2


		Photographic prints published in "Chippewa Customs," originally published as Bulletin 86, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1929. 4 folders.
			A collection of black and white photographic prints taken by Densmore, captioned and mounted on scrapbook pages, which comprised the illustration plates for this publication. The images consist of Ojibwe people, buildings and structures, items of clothing, and artifacts.
			Folder 1
			Folder 2
			Folder 3
			Folder 4

CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:: Banks and banking -- Minnesota -- Red Wing.; Belgians -- Minnesota.; Ojibwa Indians -- Agriculture.; Ojibwa Indians; Ojibwa Indians -- Rites and ceremonies.; Ojibwa Indians -- Hunting.; Ojibwa Indians -- Folklore.; Ojibwa Indians -- Songs and music.; Ojibwa Indians -- Religion.; Ojibwa Indians -- Photographs.; Indian mythology -- North America.; Dakota Indians -- Wars, 1862-1865.; Frontier and pioneer life -- Minnesota.; Germans -- Minnesota.; Indians of North America -- Music.; Missionaries.; Names, Geographical -- Minnesota.; Norwegians -- Minnesota.; Religion.

Persons:: Anderson, Ellen Wilson, 1847-1936.; Colby, Pauline, 1853-1944.; Diepenbrock, Catherine George, 1845-; Dinsmore family.; Flat Mouth, 1774-1860.; Gilfillan, J. A. (Joseph Alexander), 1838-1913.; Good Star Woman.; Grow, William H., 1848-1941.; Hole-in-the-Day, Chief, 1828-1868.; Hubbard family.; Makawastewin.; McIntire, Henry P.; Philleo family.; White Cloud.; White Fisher.

Organizations:: Episcopal Church. Minnesota.

Places:: Goodhue County (Minn.).; Red Wing (Minn.).; Minnesota -- Social life and customs.; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.; White Earth Indian Reservation (Minn.).

Document Types:: Interviews.; Reminiscences.; Photographs.

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