Description
This collection contains photographs
and sound recordings by folklorist Robert Stone. These materials document the Sacred Steel
gospel tradition from two African American Pentecostal churches in Florida: the House of
God, Keith Dominion and the Church of the Living God, Jewell Dominion.
Background
Originally developed for playing Hawaiian music, the steel guitar was integrated into the
sacred music of two branches of the House of God, an African American Holiness Pentecostal
church, in the late 1930s. Electric steel guitar music became a key part of the services,
conventions, and revivals of these two sects. Sacred Steel has evolved into a distinctive
genre of African American gospel music with a unique guitar style and repertoire.
Extent
9 Linear Feet
15 photograph boxes (9 linear feet), 184 audio cassettes, 27
minidiscs, 34 digital audiotapes
Restrictions
All requests for permission to reproduce or to publish must be submitted in writing to the
Arhoolie Foundation.
Availability
Collection open for research.