Guide to Jacob's Pillow dance photograph collectionn C0514
Jacob's Pillow dance photograph collection
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library, MS2FL4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu
Meghan Glasbrenner
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Jacob's Pillow dance photograph collection, C0514, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Purchased from Schubertiade Music by Lynn Eaton in April 2023.
Processing Information
Processing and finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner from March-April 2024.
Biographical and Historical Information
The property known as Jacob's Pillow, located in Becket, Massachusetts, was first was purchased by modern dancer Ted Shawn (1891-1972) in 1931 to serve as an artistic retreat. After the personal and professional end of his partnership with fellow dancer Ruth St. Denis and their Denishawn Company, Shawn recruited eight men, including former Denishawn dancer Barton Mumaw, and formed a new dance company based at Jacob's Pillow from 1933-1939. During this time "Ted Shawn and his Men Dancers" staged public "Tea Lecture Demonstrations" during the summer months to promote the company's work and raise money for living expensese. These demonstrations quickly grew in popularity and would eventually evolve into the "Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival."
In 1941, following the disbanding of Ted Shawn's dance company, the property was purchased from Shawn by the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Committee for $50,000 and incorporated as an educational, artistic, non-profit organization with Shawn named as founder and artistic director. The group also built the property's first permanent theatre, with performances having previously taken place in a barn studio, which opened on July 9, 1942 as the Ted Shawn Theatre, the first performance space designed specifically for dance. Shawn remained director of Jacob's Pillow until his death in 1972 at the age of 80. Jacob's Pillow has continued to host hundreds of choreographic works up to the present day, with the venue serving as the U.S. debut for a number of international dancers and companies. In 2003, Jacob's Pillow was designated a National Historic Landmark by the federal government, making it the country's first and only Landmark dance institution.
John Lindquist (1890-1980) was a Boston area photographer who specialized in dance-related photography. In 1938, he began photographing "Ted Shawn and his Men Dancers" and became the official photographer for Jacob's Pillow in 1940, a position he would hold until his death at the age of 90. His photography work was included in numerous exhibits, particularly in the Boston area, and allowed him to form close friendships with many dancers and choreographers.
Paul McMahon was a Boston art critic, photographer, entertainment reviewer, and artist, who also toured with actress Marlene Dietrich for 13 years assisting her in a number of roles, including stage manager and dresser. McMahon and his partner Ralph Hodgdon, who met in New York City in the 1950s, were a fixture at Boston pride parades where they carried a sign stating how long they had been together. When marriage equality was passed in Massachusetts, McMahon and Hodgdon became one of the first couples to marry, their ceremony taking place on May 29, 2004 in Boston's Public Garden. Following their legal marriage, the couple updated their pride parade sign to say years together and years married ("56 years together, 6 years married"). McMahon passed away on March 31, 2011 at the age of 78.
Scope and Content
A collection of original signed and unsigned dance photographs from Jacob's Pillow, most by the photographer John Lindquist, from the collection of Paul McMahon. Most photographs include inscriptions on the back identifying the dancer or dancers depicted and include a stamp or handwritten attribution of the photograph to John Lindquist. Additional identifications were completed using Jacob's Pillow Archives . Several photographs include pen signatures and/or inscriptions on the front of the image by the dancer(s) depicted, with most dedicated to Paul McMahon. The collection is arranged in four series.
Series 1: Standard format photographs (circa 1940s-1970s) includes photographs and photographic cards and postcards measuring approximately 4x6 or 5x7. Photographs have been alphabetized by subject.
Series 2: Large format photographs (circa 1940s-1970s) includes photographs measuring approximately 8x10. Photographs have been alphabetized by subject.
Series 3: Oversized photographs (circa 1940s-1970s) includes photographs measuring approximately 11x14. Photographs have been alphabetized by subject.
Series 4: Ephemera (1970s) includes a single folder containing two non-photographic items.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series by size and medium.
Series Series 1: Standard format photographs Series 2: Large format photographs Series 3: Oversized photographs Series 4: EphemeraRelated Material
The Special Collections Research Center holds other materials related to dance , including other dance photographs such as Photograph of Martha Graham in "Mirror Before Me" by Arnold Eagle and Black and white photographs of Jerome Robbins rehearsing with ballet dancers for "Antique Epigraphs" by Martha Swope .
Harvard University's Houghton Library holds the John Lindquist collection .
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Ballet
- Clouser, James
- Dance
- Dance -- United States
- De Lavallade, Carmen, 1931-
- Jacob's Pillow
- Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
- Kehlet, Niels
- Limón, José
- Lindquist, John
- Markova, Alicia, Dame, 1910-2004
- Modern dance
- Mumaw, Barton, 1912-2001
- Photographs
- Powell, Robert, -1977
- Shawn, Ted, 1891-1972
- St. Denis, Ruth, 1880-1968
Bibliography
"Collection: John Lindquist Collection | HOLLIS For." n.d. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu/repositories/24/resources/2725.
"Dedicating Our Victory to Enduring Couples like Ralph and Paul." n.d. Freedom to Marry (blog). Accessed April 17, 2024. http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/dedicating-our-victory-to-enduring-couples-like-ralph-and-paul.
"Dietrich, Marlene (1901-1992) Signed Photograph." n.d. Schubertiade Music & Arts. Accessed April 19, 2024. https://www.schubertiademusic.com//items/details/21048.
Media, Behemoth. 2011. "Paul McMahon - Photographer and Pal of Marlene Dietrich Passes." CELLULOID SLAMMER (blog). April 6, 2011. https://celluloidslammer.blogspot.com/2011/04/paul-mcmahon-photographer-and-pal-of.html.
"Paul McMahon (Unknown-2011)." n.d. Find a Grave. Accessed April 19, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/232087574/paul-mcmahon.
"The Jacob's Pillow Story." n.d. Jacob's Pillow. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://www.jacobspillow.org/about/pillow-history/jacobs-pillow-story/.
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Clouser, James
- De Lavallade, Carmen, 1931-
- Kehlet, Niels
- Limón, José
- Lindquist, John
- Markova, Alicia, Dame, 1910-2004
- McMahon, Paul, -2011
- Mumaw, Barton, 1912-2001
- Powell, Robert, -1977
- Shawn, Ted, 1891-1972
- St. Denis, Ruth, 1880-1968
Container List
Series 1: Standard format photographs (circa 1940s-1970s) includes photographs and photographic cards and postcards measuring approximately 4x6 or 5x7. Photographs have been alphabetized by subject.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 1
Bujones, Fernandocirca 1970s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 1
Fitz-Simons, Foster in "Icarus"1940
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 2
Shawn, Ted as Montezuma1939
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 2
St. Denis, Ruth in "Dance of The Black and Gold Sari"1943
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 3
Photo card with unidentified dancercirca 1970sScope and Contents
Card appears to have been cut along the top edge and includes a message to "Paul and Ralph" from "John Lindquist"
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 4
Backstage view of a photographer at workcirca 1950s-1960sScope and Contents
Photographer is likely John Lindquist
Series 2: Large format photographs (circa 1940s-1970s) includes photographs measuring approximately 8x10. Photographs have been alphabetized by subject.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 5-6
Bettis, Valeriecirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 7
Braun, Eric1947
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 8
Castro, Alonzocirca 1960s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 9-10
de Lavallade, Carmen and unidentified partnercirca 1950s-1960s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 11
Delamo, Mariocirca 1960s-1970s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 12
Donilavas, Alexandracirca 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 13
Goya, Carolacirca 1940s-1960s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 14-15
Grantzeva, Tatianacirca 1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 16
Green, Alicecirca 1950sScope and Contents
Inscription on back also reads "with Herbert Ross Ballet"
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 17
Hadassahcirca 1960s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 18
Hamilton, Petercirca 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 19
Harris, Rebeccacirca 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 20
Indranicirca 1960s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 21-22
Kitchell, Ivacirca 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 23
Kriza, Johncirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 24
La Mericirca 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 25
La Meri and Matteo in "Swan Lake"circa 1964Scope and Contents
Pen inscriptions on the front of the photo: "To Paul" from "La Meri" and "To Paul with much friendship Matteo"
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 26
Limón, Josécirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 27
Limón, José and Beatrice Secklercirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 28
Limón, José and four unidentified members of his companycirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 29
Limón, José and two unidentified members of his companycirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 30
Limón, José and unidentified member of his companycirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 31-32
Mabry, Iriscirca 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 33-34
Markova, Aliciacirca 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 35-37
Markova, Alicia in "Water Lily"circa 1941Scope and Contents
Sheets 35 and 36 are duplicates of the same photo
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 38
Monts, Jackcirca 1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 39-43
Powell, Robertcirca 1960s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 44
Redlich, Don1968
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 45
Reyes, Pepacirca 1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 46
Ross, Bill (also known as Billy)circa 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 47
Sarina, Seikocirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 48
Scoglio, Josephcirca 1960s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 49
Scoglio, Joseph and three unidentified dancerscirca 1968
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 50-51
Seckler, Beatricecirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 52
Sergava, Katherinecirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 53
Severn, Margaretcirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 54
Slavenska, Miacirca 1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 55
Solov, Zacharycirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 56
Srimathi Gina (also known as Gina Blau)circa 1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 57
Steen, Samcirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 58
Svetlova, Marinacirca 1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 1 page: 59-66
Unidentified dancerscirca 1940s-1950sScope and Contents
Name written on back of Page 59's photo appears to read "Adolphe Rasishon". Name written on back of Page 60's photo appears to read "Jim McEllernnz". Name written on back of Page 61's photo appears to read "Creighton", possibly Eddie Creighton.
Series 3: Oversized photographs (circa 1940s-1970s) includes photographs measuring approximately 11x14. Photographs have been alphabetized by subject.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 1-3
Clouser, Jim (also known as James)circa 1960sScope and Contents
Pen signature reading "Jim Clouser" on front of each photo
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 4
Clouser, Jim (also known as James) with inscription1966Scope and Contents
Pen inscription on the front of the photo: "To Paul the very best always Jacob's Pillow - '66 Jim Clouser"
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 5
Clouser, Jim (also known as James) with inscription1967Scope and Contents
Pen inscription on the front of the photo: "To Paul all the best Jim Clouser Jacob's Pillow - 1967"
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 6-7
de Lavallade, Carmen with inscriptioncirca 1950s-1960sScope and Contents
Pen inscription on the front of Page 6's photo: "To Paul my special [illegible] Sincerely Carmen de Lavallade". Pen inscription on the front of Page 7's photo: "To Paul my very fondest regards Sincerely Carmen de Lavallade"
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 8
Kehlet, Nielscirca 1960s-1970sScope and Contents
Pen signature reading "Niels Kehlet" on front of the photo
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 9
Kehlet, Niels with inscriptioncirca 1960s-1970sScope and Contents
Pen inscription on the front of the photo: "To Paul with best wishes from Niels Kehlet - [JP?]"
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 10
Kehlet, Niels and possibly Lone Isaksen with inscriptioncirca 1960s-1970sScope and Contents
Pen inscription on the front of the photo: "To Paul with the best of luck Niels Kehlet - [JP?]"
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 11
Mumaw, Barton with inscription1967Scope and Contents
Pen inscription on the front of the photo: "For Paul [very] good [luck] Barton Mumaw Jacob's Pillow 1967"
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 12
Powell, Robert with inscriptioncirca 1960sScope and Contents
Pen inscription on the front of the photo: "To Paul thank you Robert Powell"
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 13
"Ted Shawn's Men Dancers"circa 1940s-1950s
- Mixed Materials box: 2 page: 14
Unidentified dancercirca 1940s-1950s
Series 4: Ephemera (1970s) includes a single folder containing two non-photographic items.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1
Exhibition invitation and promotional postcardJune 1976, October 1978Scope and Content
Invitiation for Boston Anthenaeum Gallery exhibition and reception on June 3, 1976 sent to Paul McMahon and Ralph Hodgon with note from John Lindquist on the back. Promotional postcard for "Dancer in Flight" exhibit at Boston City Hall October 2-31, 1978 is adhered to heavy black backing.