Exhibits & Archives
"Dance disappears. It's the most fleeting of the arts, the most difficult to pin down and preserve, even in the age of video and CD-ROMS. Which is why the recent opening of the Jacob's Pillow Archives at the famed dance festival in the Berkshires is so significant."
- Christine Temin, The Boston Globe
The History
More about Exhibits & Archives
The Jacob's Pillow Archives document the history of the Festival and School
and the artists who have taken part in these activities, with particular emphasis on Ted Shawn, Ted Shawn's Men Dancers, and the Denishawn Company.
The collection includes correspondence, photographs, programs, board minutes, books, costumes, posters, films, audiotapes, and scrapbooks. The Archives is one component of the Pillow's Preservation Program, which also documents the ongoing activities of the Festival, principally on video, and organizes exhibits exploring various aspects of dance history.
The center for most of the Pillow's preservation archives is in Blake's Barn, an 18th century structure that has been relocated and reconfigured specifically for this purpose. In addition to a central area for exhibits and lectures, this barn houses a reading room with video viewing facilities, providing access to the collection.
During the Festival, the research facility is open to the general public Tuesdays through Sundays, noon to final curtain. Throughout the rest of the year, hours are by appointment and may be arranged by calling 413.243.9919 x 50 or emailing Norton Owen at the address provided at the bottom of this page.
Materials in the Jacob's Pillow Archives tell stories of various cultural groups from throughout the world. One particularly strong area of holdings reflects an extensive history of presenting performers of the African Diaspora since 1942, culminating in the Pillow's recognition as a site on the African American Heritage Trail in 2007, as well as the creation of a brochure honoring dancers of traditions from the African Diaspora who performed at the Pillow. The trail connects sites in the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area and is recognized by a bronze plaque at the Welcome Center. For more information, click here for the press release announcing the dedication.
The archival collections housed at Jacob's Pillow contain materials relating to many of the artists who have appeared under the auspices of the Festival. Some of these items, such as photographs or performance programs, are readily accessible onsite but are not individually catalogued. Other materials, including videos and films, are described in an online database which allows searches by name of choreographer, company, composer or dance title.
Dance Heritage Coalition partnership
Since 1996, Jacob's Pillow has been a member of the Dance Heritage Coalition, an alliance of eight major dance collections formed to address national dance documentation and preservation issues. Other constituents of the DHC include the Library of Congress, Harvard Theatre Collection, and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
The Pillow Custom Photo Store
For the first time ever, Jacob's Pillow offers select historic dance images on a create-your-own basis at our new Custom Photo Store. Featured artists range from ballet stars Margot Fonteyn and Erik Bruhn, to important modern dance figures José Limón and Talley Beatty. You will also find icons Joseph Pilates and Pearl Primus. Images include the Albert Herter portrait of Ruth St. Denis, which hangs in the Ted Shawn Theatre, as well as a classic shot of Ted Shawn and Martha Graham from 1921.
We welcome you to browse this new online photo store and create your own custom, museum-quality gifts from these historic, archival images. View the images framed, unframed or custom printed on note cards, mugs, T-shirts and more.
The center for most of the Pillow's preservation archives is in Blake's Barn, an 18th century structure that has been relocated and reconfigured specifically for this purpose. In addition to a central area for exhibits and lectures, this barn houses a reading room with video viewing facilities, providing access to the collection.
During the Festival, the research facility is open to the general public Tuesdays through Sundays, noon to final curtain. Throughout the rest of the year, hours are by appointment and may be arranged by calling 413.243.9919 x 50 or emailing Norton Owen at the address provided at the bottom of this page.
Materials in the Jacob's Pillow Archives tell stories of various cultural groups from throughout the world. One particularly strong area of holdings reflects an extensive history of presenting performers of the African Diaspora since 1942, culminating in the Pillow's recognition as a site on the African American Heritage Trail in 2007, as well as the creation of a brochure honoring dancers of traditions from the African Diaspora who performed at the Pillow. The trail connects sites in the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area and is recognized by a bronze plaque at the Welcome Center. For more information, click here for the press release announcing the dedication.
The archival collections housed at Jacob's Pillow contain materials relating to many of the artists who have appeared under the auspices of the Festival. Some of these items, such as photographs or performance programs, are readily accessible onsite but are not individually catalogued. Other materials, including videos and films, are described in an online database which allows searches by name of choreographer, company, composer or dance title.
Dance Heritage Coalition partnership
Since 1996, Jacob's Pillow has been a member of the Dance Heritage Coalition, an alliance of eight major dance collections formed to address national dance documentation and preservation issues. Other constituents of the DHC include the Library of Congress, Harvard Theatre Collection, and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
The Pillow Custom Photo Store
For the first time ever, Jacob's Pillow offers select historic dance images on a create-your-own basis at our new Custom Photo Store. Featured artists range from ballet stars Margot Fonteyn and Erik Bruhn, to important modern dance figures José Limón and Talley Beatty. You will also find icons Joseph Pilates and Pearl Primus. Images include the Albert Herter portrait of Ruth St. Denis, which hangs in the Ted Shawn Theatre, as well as a classic shot of Ted Shawn and Martha Graham from 1921.
We welcome you to browse this new online photo store and create your own custom, museum-quality gifts from these historic, archival images. View the images framed, unframed or custom printed on note cards, mugs, T-shirts and more.
