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November Meeting: A Celebration of Folk MusicWalter Woodward, State Historian of Connecticut, brings a new perspective on the history of New England folk music in his talk entitled “Handed Down in Song: New England’s Past as Captured in the Helen Hartness Flanders Ballad Collection.” An associate professor at the University of Connecticut and author of a recently-published book on 17th century New England culture, Woodward is both a scholar and entertainer, as evidenced by the two Emmy Awards he has won. He is currently writing a book on early American folk music. In his talk, Woodward will discuss the work of Helen Hartness Flanders, daughter of a former Governor of Vermont and a trained musician. In 1930 she was appointed by the Vermont Commission on Country Life to spearhead a project to document traditional music. Over the next thirty years, she documented over 4800 folksongs and ballads sung by native New Englanders. Today the Helen Hartness Flanders Ballad Collection at Middlebury College is recognized as one of the nation's great archival collections of New England folksong, folklore, and balladry. Using materials from this collection, Walter Woodward will combine his abilities as a historian with his musical talents to bring to life tales from New England’s history in story and in song. This is a program not to be missed! Walt Woodward is the Connecticut State Historian and an associate professor of Early American History at the University of Connecticut. He teaches American Environmental History, Public History, and an honors American Studies Course focused on the Connecticut River, as well as courses in Connecticut history. He is the author of Prospero’s America: John Winthrop, Jr., Alchemy and the Creation of New England Culture, numerous articles on New England history, and is a regular columnist for Connecticut Explored magazine. A former hit country music songwriter and performer, Woodward’s knowledge, sense of humor, and richly illustrated PowerPoint presentations have made him one of New England’s most sought after public lecturers. Please join us on November 18, 7:30 p.m., for this entertaining and informative program. It will be held at the Buchanan Auditorium, Mansfield Public Library. |