CDSS Centennial Website - Home

Centennial Tour

CDSS Centennial Tour: An Overview
During our Centennial in 2015, CDSS has selected six communities as stops on our Centennial Tour. We will be sending out some of the best workshop leaders in the business — who also happen to be some of the best performers — to communities across the United States and Canada for a...

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Our Stories

The CDSS Story Project
Read the "What We Believe" Submissions As part of our 2015 Centennial Celebration, CDSS is launching The CDSS Story Project, a growing collection of stories documenting our traditions and the people who love them. By the end of 2015 we want to have video, photos and written stories that talk about who we were, where we...

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Cecil Sharp Born

~ November 11, 1859 ~
Cecil Sharp. the founder of CDSS, was born in Camberwell, Surrey; his father, James Sharp, was a slate merchant interested in archaeology, architecture, old furniture and music; his mother Jane Sharp (nee Boyd), was also a music lover.

English Folk Song Society 1898

The English Folk Song Society (EFSS) was founded, in 1898, by such notables as Lucy Broadwood (pictured here)

Sharp meets William Kimber 1899

In 1899, on Boxing Day, December 26th, Cecil Sharp saw the Headington Quarry Morris Men dance. He met their musician, William Kimber (pictured here), (September 8, 1872 - December 26, 1961).

The Morris Dance Book, Part I

In 1899 Cecil Sharp saw the Headington Morris Men dancing Cotswold morris on Boxing Day.

Before Sharp There Were Neal, Warren, and Wright

Cecil Sharp's visit in 1915 was not the first time interested folk in New England and the mid-West had seen Morris dance or English country dance.

Sharp's First Visit to United States

Towards the end of 1914, Cecil Sharp came to the United States to work with Granville Barker on his production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream,"...

CDSS is Founded

On March 23, 1915 what was to become The Country Dance and Song Society was founded.

Miss Lily Roberts Joins U.S. Branch

In 1915, in response to Mrs. Storrow's request to Sharp to "send us a teacher," Miss Lily Roberts came from England to work with the United States Branch.

Sharp and Olive Dame Campbell

In June, 1915, Sharp returned to the United States, joined by his assistant, Maud Karpeles.

First Camp by U.S. Branch

The first camp program directed by Cecil Sharp was held in Eliot, Maine at the Bungalow Camp near Green Acre.

Helen Storrow 1864-1944

Helen Osborne Storrow was a Boston philanthropist and an active supporter of the Girl Scouts movement.

Sharp's Song Collecting Trips 1916-1918

During Cecil Sharp's second trip to the United States, his intention was to collect songs and dances.

Summer School in Amherst, MA 1916

In the summer of 1916, the dance school led by Sharp and Karpeles was moved

World War I, April 1917

The United States entered World War I in April 6, 1917.

Cecil Sharp Dies

On June 23, 1924, Cecil Sharp died in London, England.

May Gadd Arrives in United States

In 1927, May Gadd came to the United States to run and teach for the New York City chapter of the English Folk Dance Society. photo: Perdue Cleaver of May Gadd at Pinewoods Camp, 1936.

Pinewoods Camp

Pinewoods Camp is the oldest continuously operating facility for traditional dance and music in the United States. CDSS's summer dance/music/song programs have been running at Pinewoods Camp since 1933.

National CDSS Headquarters Established

By 1937, the need for a more closely-knit operation had become apparent.

May Gadd, First Director of CDSS 1939-1972

May Gadd stayed in the United States, after her first engagement teaching at the Summer School,

A New Name for the Society: American is Recognized!

During the first 25 years of its existence, there was a growing recognition of the importance of the American aspect of the Society's programming.

May Gadd Speaks about the Country Dance Society

May Gadd was interviewed by Mildred Buhler circa 1950. May talks about her work at the Country Dance Society. Click Read More to hear audio from this interview.

Morris Dancers Appear in Smithsonian Magazine

~ May 01, 1981 ~
The May 1981 issue of Smithsonian Magazine included a feature article “Morris dancers are coming, and so it must be May” by David M. Schwartz...

Helene Cornelius, Lifetime Contribution Award 2002

Helene Cornelius was the first recipient of the CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award in 2002.

Larry Jennings, CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award 2004

Larry Jennings was a Boston caller and mentor to many callers and dancers and author of the influential contra dance book, Zesty Contras (1983) and its sequel, Give and Take (2004).

John Langstaff, Lifetime Contribution Award 2005

John Langstaff (December 24, 1920 – December 13, 2005), was a concert baritone, and founder of Christmas Revels, as well as a respected musician and teacher.

Fried de Metz Herman, Lifetime Contribution Award, 2005

Fried de Metz Herman was given her CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award in 2006. Fried was a master choreographer, teacher, composer, author, and dancer.

Margot Gunzenhauser, Dudley Laufman, Patrick Napier, CDSS Lifetime Contribution Awards, 2007

There are so many people without whom the world would be a poorer place. In 2007, CDSS honored three such people...

Anthony Barrand, CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award, 2008

Dr. Anthony Barrand, also known as Tony, is a man of many talents...

Bob McQuillen, CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award, 2009

Pianist and composer Bob McQuillen was a New England original, much-loved by all alike...

Chuck Ward, CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award, 2009

In 2009, CDSS awarded a second Lifetime Contribution Award to musician Chuck Ward...

New Director of Vaughan Williams Memorial Library

~ July 30, 2014 ~ EFDSS is very pleased to announce that Laura Smyth has been appointed as new Director of The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Her predecessor, Malcolm Tayler OBE has retired after 35 years at the VWML.