Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2017655400
Finding aid written in English.
DACS was used as the primary description standard.
Collection materials in English and possibly other languages.
Ira Sheldon Posen; Donation; 2017, 2018.
No further accruals are expected.
The collection was processed by Maya Lerman.
Duplication of collection materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions.
Collection is open for research; access to collection materials may be restricted. To request materials, please contact the Folklife Reading Room at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.contact
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Brooklyn Rediscovery Folklife Study Project collection (AFC 2017/035), Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Fieldwork for the Brooklyn Rediscovery Folklife Study Project undertaken and coordinated by Sheldon Posen and Maxine Miska, 1980-1983. The project surveyed and recorded traditions in Brooklyn, New York, on behalf of the Brooklyn Educational and Cultural Alliance (BECA) documenting ethnic foodways, neighborhood events, private celebrations, street life and play, store fronts, music, folk theater, religious events, urban sports and pastimes. Ethnic groups include African Americans, diasporic Jews (including Hassidic), Greek Americans, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, Puerto Ricans, West Indian Americans, Irish Americans, Chinese Americans, and Ukrainian Americans. The annual West Indian Carnival in Prospect Park/Eastern Parkway was documented in-depth. Joseph Sciorra and Sheldon Posen documented the Our Lady of Mount Carmel giglio tradition with photographs by Martha Cooper. Sheldon Posen also photographed the dancing of the giglio in New Jersey. The collection includes photographs of Greek Easter celebrations, Sukkot and Etrog Market, and documentation of exhibitions about Brooklyn folklife.
The Brooklyn Rediscovery Folklife Study Project collection is organized in 5 series:
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
Manuscripts and photographs documenting the Giglio Feast, a religious festival and street fair. The Giglio Feast usually opens the week after the 4th of July, and runs for 12 days including the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16th, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The feast pays homage to the patron saint, San Paolino or Saint Paulinus, of Nola, Italy, and culminates with dancing the giglio, a huge flower-laden steeple of wood, more than 80 feet in height, carried through the streets on the shoulders of hundreds of men. Field work by Sheldon Posen, Maxine Miska, Joseph Sciorra, and Martha Cooper.
Joe Sciorra field notes about the Giglio Feast. Includes index cards with locations and neighborhoods.
Includes planning field notes, program for 93rd Annual Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Paulinus, and contact sheets 180-1, 180-3, 180-4, 18186-2, 18186-3.
Includes "Notes for Elliot Willensky, 1982 (for exhibit)," which includes notes about the hierarchy, participants, and roles of Giglio.
Includes planning field notes, notes about Sheldon Posen and Joseph Sciorra article/book, and articles, programs for 93rd Annual Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Paulinus. Includes 23 color photographs of the Giglio procession.
Correspondence, handwritten notes, photocopies of articles and book chapters about the festival in honor of Saint Paulinus/Giglio Feast in Nola, Italy, and in Brooklyn.
Correpondence, handwritten notes, poem, and program for 95th Annual Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Paulinus.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Mostly originals.
Photographs by Martha Cooper. Originals and duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Scenes from the neighborhood surrounding the Giglio Feast event. Mostly duplicates. 18 color negatives (35mm) were relocated to Box 5, Folder 2.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mixed content. Originals and duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Originals and duplicates.
Photographs by Martha Cooper. Originals.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Originals and duplicates.
Photographs by Martha Cooper (and possibly also, Sheldon Posen). Originals.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly originals.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly originals.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Originals and duplicates. Mixed content. Mostly for Brooklyn Folklife presentation.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Mostly originals. Mixed content.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly originals.
Some photographs likely by Sheldon Posen; others are captures of historical photographs of Giglio Feast, church, and families.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Originals.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen.
Color photographs of black-and-white photographs from older Giglio events.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen. Mostly originals.
Questionnaire for participants of the Feast of St. Paulinus and the Giglio.
Paper titled, "'It's in the Blood:' Dancing the Giglio in Brooklyn," with edits, notes, and correspondence.
Research notes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, pamphlet from Giglio exhibit at the Brooklyn Historical Society, and still images relating to the Giglio. 3 35mm color slides were relocated to Box 21/61(numbered 61_001, 61_002, 61_003), 2 black-and-white copy negatives (35mm) and 6 black-and-white negatives (35mm) were relocated to Box 4, Folder 1, and 6 color negatives (35mm) were relocated to Box 5, Folder 1.
Unidentified scenes from the Giglio festival. Photographer is unknown. Roll number: A059910. See also Box 5.
Manuscripts, photographs, and sound recordings about Jewish, specifically Hasidic, holidays and traditions. Includes documentation of a Hasidic Lubavitcher (movement of Hasidic Judaism) wedding, as well as materials about the Sukkot, Purim, and Passover holidays.
Black-and-white photographic prints by Martha Cooper and "The Worlds of Brooklyn Matza Making," an edited paper by Sheldon Posen about matza making foodways traditions. Includes notes and script of play about matza making.
Photographs by Martha Cooper. Originals.
Includes Hasidic (Lubavitch) wedding invitation and prayer book from wedding, as well as a story board about a Hasidic wedding. Black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of a Hasidic wedding, including images of the Kabbalat Panim (greeting of the bride and groom), the Chupah (canopy), and dancing. Contact sheet roll numbers 21042-1-21042-11; 21058-1-21057-7. 612 black-and-white negatives (35mm) were relocated to Box 4, Folder 2: roll numbers 21042-1-21042-11; 21058-1-21057-7.
Photographs of women taken by Martha Cooper; photographs of men taken by Sheldon Posen. Contact sheet roll numbers 21139-2, 21139-4, 21139-6, 21139-7, 21139-8; 21042-3, 21042-5; 21160-1, 21160-3, 21160-4. 274 black-and-white negatives (35mm) were relocated to Box 4, Folder 3: roll numbers 21139-2, 21139-4, 21139-6, 21139-7, 21139-8; 21160-1, 21160-3, 21160-4.
Hassidic wedding conversation, tape 1. Conversation with Mordechai and Tsivia. MBRS shelf number: RYQ 2409
Hassidic wedding conversation, tape 2. Conversation with Mordechai and Tsivia. MBRS shelf number: RYQ 2410
Photographic material by Martha Cooper of kapparot ceremony, ritual between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur to transfer a person's sins to a chicken. Contact sheet roll numbers 17195-1, 17195-2, 17195-3; 17272. 90 black-and-white negatives (35mm) were relocated to Box 4, Folder 4: roll numbers 17195-1, 17195-2, 17195-3; 5826-3.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Photographs of the Essex Street Market in preparation for the Sukkot holiday. Includes documentation of a Hasidic Lubavitcher wedding, as well as materials about Sukkot, Purim, and Passover.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Originals and duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Originals and duplicates. Mixed content.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Originals and duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Mostly originals.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly originals.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Images from a market selling Lulav and Etrog (likely Essex Street Market), two of the Four Species used during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mostly duplicates. Sukkot traditions and an ornate Jewish temple (tabernacle).
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Originals.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Originals.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Ushpizin.
Photographs by Martha Cooper. Mixed content.
Photographs by Martha Cooper and Sheldon Posen. Mixed content.
Manuscript and photographs relating to the West Indian Day Parade, or, Carnival, (organized by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association), an annual celebration held on American Labor Day that celebrates the history, culture, music, food, and people from Caribbean countries.
Notes, articles, program books, exhibit guide, writings, research, and correspondence related to the West Indian-American Carnival.
Photographs by Martha Cooper of the West Indian Carnival.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Photographs of music, dance, and costume construction.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Mixed content.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Photographs of ornate costumes, steel drum ensemble (Sonics steel orchestra), and events honoring Bob Marley.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Ornate costumes and steel drum ensemble.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Constructing ornate costumes, decorations for parade.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) festival with indoor and outdoor stage, ornate decorations, and steel drum ensemble.
Photographs by Martha Cooper (and possibly also, Sheldon Posen). Ornate costumes and dance with accordion.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Ornate costumes and steel drum ensemble.
Photographs by Martha Cooper and Sheldon Posen. Mixed content.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Costume making for West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) festival (West Indian Day Parade).
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Mostly originals.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Originals and duplicates. Mixed content. Mostly for Brooklyn Folklife presentation.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Mostly originals. Mixed content.
Photographs by Martha Cooper. Costume making, parade, steel drums.
Photographs by Martha Cooper. Mixed content.
Manuscripts, photographs, and sound recordings about a range of communities and immigrant traditions in Brooklyn, such as that of Ukrainians, Greeks, Chinese, Irish, and Puerto Rico. Includes documentation of exhibits that Posen, Sciorra, and Cooper put together, as well as material relating to Brooklyn business establishments.
Field notes documenting Ukrainian Christmas traditions of the Savchak family, including foodways and gift giving.
Photographs likely be Sheldon Posen. Originals. Photographs of Greek Easter, or Christo Anesti.
Field notes and descriptions of interviews about African American quilts and children's games. Fieldworker, Deborah Finley-Jackson.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen. Qingming festival.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Originals and duplicates. Mixed content (includes Giglio, Purim, Easter, Candy Store, Chruszik, Irish Pipe Band).
Photographs by Martha Cooper and Sheldon Posen. Mixed content.
Photographs by Martha Cooper.
Mostly or all originals. Easter egg painting and baking chruscik.
Musicians: Sergio Ortiz (vocal), Jose Rivera (cuatro), Ismael Natel (guitar), Diego Diaz (quirro), Genaro Cruz (conga), Maria Ortiz (coro, vocal).
Musicians: Sergio Ortiz (vocal), Jose Rivera (cuatro), Ismael Natel (guitar), Diego Diaz (quirro, maracas), Genaro Cruz (conga), Maria Ortiz (vocal), Benjamin Soto (guiro, coro).
Musicians: Sergio Ortiz (vocal), Jose Rivera (cuatro), Ismael Natel (guitar), Diego Diaz (quirro), Genaro Cruz (conga).
Part 1. St. Michael's.
Part 2. St. Michael's.
Musicians: Sergio Ortiz (vocal, guitar), Maria Ortiz (vocal), Benjamin Soto (guirro).
Sergio Ortiz and band.
Photographs mostly by Martha Cooper.
Photographs mostly by Martha Cooper.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper. Mixed content.
Photographs by Shedon Posen; all or mostly originals.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen. Aerial views of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen. Mostly or all originals.
Photographs mostly or all by Sheldon Posen. Mixed content, including Jewish, Ukrainian, Bay Ridge Fish Market, as well as walls and murals.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Signs about communities in Brooklyn.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Signs about communities in Brooklyn.
Photographs by Martha Cooper.
Photographs by Sheldon Posen and Martha Cooper.
Photographs likely by Sheldon Posen. Originals.
Photographs by Martha Cooper. From original slide: "Papa Manteo's Marionettes." Photographs of elaborate puppets/figurines.
Manteo Family Sicilian Marionette Theater. Photographs by Martha Cooper. Marionettes.
Photographs by Martha Cooper. Mixed content, including documentation of Irish, Chinese, West Indian, and Italian communities.
Manuscripts, including field notes, papers, calendars, clippings, and administrative forms, relating to the Brooklyn Rediscovery Folklife Study Project.
Notes from conversations with folklorists, subject specialists, and librarians about the Brooklyn Rediscovery Folklife Study Project collection, potential communities to study, and potential fieldworkers, informants, and other contacts.
3 small field notebooks with notes, observations, recipes, event listings, traditions, and contact names and organizations.
Newspaper clippings and program booklets about Brooklyn's immigrant communities, neighborhoods, and traditions and practices.
Lists of upcoming Brooklyn festivals and celebrations to investigate, including specific locations. One black-and-white photographic print of "old Brooklyn" (Myrtle St.), undated.
Shalom Staub paper "Toward a Theory of Regionality: the Case of the Urban Region, Brooklyn, USA" and correspondence from Staub.
Brooks MacNamara presentation (including slide numbers) about traditional folk performances and theater.
Includes Sheldon Posen and Ricki Rosen's photo logs, correspondence with Neil Rosenberg, examples of documentation from American Folklife Center Field Survey Projects, and article about how to file and store photographic slides.
Includes notes that correspond with SR001.