Densmore (Frances) Papers, 1899-1961, bulk 1907-1957

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Summary

Title:
Frances Densmore Papers
Dates:
1899-1961, bulk 1907-1957
Creators:
Hodge, Frederick Webb, Hewett, Edgar L. (Edgar Lee), Bunche, Ralph J. (Ralph Johnson), Roosevelt, Eleanor, Mead, Margaret, James, George Wharton, and Densmore, Frances
Abstract:
Frances Densmore was an American ethnographer and ethnomusicologist born in 1867 in Red Wing, Minnesota. She wrote more than 20 books and 100 articles. She also made more than 2,000 wax cylinder recordings of Native music, including recordings for the Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology (BAE) in 1907. Densmore died on June 5, 1957 at the age of 90. The Francis Densmore Papers consist of manuscripts, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and ephemera from 1899-1961. The bulk of the material was created from 1907-1957.
Extent:
0.67 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Frances Densmore Papers, 1899-1961, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.557; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Background

Scope and content:

This collections consists of materials dating from 1899-1961, the bulk of which was created from 1907-1957. Included are lectures and writings by Densmore on Native American music; melodic analysis of seventy-five Cheyenne and Arapaho songs; correspondence with Frederick Webb Hodge; letters to Densmore; published articles by Densmore in newspapers and journals; and writings about Densmore's work, life, and health. The collection also includes an original drawing by Eagle Shield that was included in Densmore's Teton Sioux Music publication.

Biographical / historical:

Frances Densmore was an American ethnographer and ethnomusicologist. Born in 1867 in Red Wing, Minnesota, Densmore became interested in Native American music after reading about the ethnomusicology of the Omaha tribe. She began her work in Minnesota by studying and recording the music of the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. She also traveled across North America where she met with the Chippewa, Mandan, Hidatsa, Sioux, northern Pawnee of Oklahoma, Papago of Arizona, Indians of Washington state and British Columbia, Winnebago and Menominee of Wisconsin, Pueblo Indians of the Southwest, and the Tule Indians of Panama.

Densmore conducted fieldwork using a box camera and a cylinder phonograph. She wrote more than 20 books, 100 articles, and she also made more than 2,000 wax cylinder recordings of Native music, including recordings for the Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology (BAE) in 1907. She frequently published articles in the journals American Anthropologist and the Southwest Museum's Masterkey publication. Densmore is especially noted for her recordings of Native American music and documenting their culture at a time when white settlers were moving into Native lands and encouraging Tribes to adopt Western customs. Densmore died on June 5, 1957 at the age of 90.

For examples of her articles and an outline of her life see: "Frances Densmore and American Indian Music", edited by Charles Hofman and published in Contributions from the Museum of the American Indian Heye Foundation, volume 23, 1968.

Custodial history:

The papers of Frances Densmore were compiled individually by Frances Densmore, Dr. Joseph Amasa Munk and Southwest Museum staff, particularly Dr. Frederick Webb Hodge and Fred Kimpton Hinchman. Some material was also acquired through the Library's General Acquisitions Fund. The papers were deposited to the Southwest Museum Library, afterwards known as the Braun Research Library, before 1978.

Processing information:

Processed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Finding aid updated by Anna Liza Posas 2012 April 6. Final processing of collection and publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). Updated by Alejandra Gaeta, 2025.

Arrangement:

  • Series 1: Correspondence,1910-1953
  • Series 2: Manuscripts and music analysis, 1899-1954
  • Series 3: Lectures, 1935-19338
  • Series 4: Publications about Densmore, 1936-1957
  • Series 5: Publications by Densmore, 1907-1954

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Glenna Schroeder, Anna Liza Posas
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-08-11 22:11:25 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Correspondence in Folder 10 not to be copied or cited per donor agreement.

In accordance with the Autry's institution wide Management of Native Collections policy, access to this collection is restricted due to culturally sensitive content. Requests for researcher access to materials identified as culturally sensitive may require letters of support from the affiliated Native nations and Indigenous communities.

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

Frances Densmore Papers, 1899-1961, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.557; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Location of this collection:
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027, US
Contact:
(747) 201-8448
rroom@theautry.org
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