Prairie Squares and Crescent Squares Records
Collection
Identifier: Mss 3050
Scope and Content
The Prairie Squares and Crescent Squares Records consist of instructional square dancing manuals and pamphlets, movement guides, historical magazines, local histories of North Dakota square dance clubs, meeting minutes, guest books, by laws, correspondence, certificates of membership, newsletters, and the Prairie Squares mailed publications.
The Reference Series is arranged chronologically from 1949 – 1983. The bulk of the series is how-to manuals on basic and advanced square dancing, there is a short history of the Dahlen Roll-A-Ways and the Country Wheelers included.
The Crescent Squares Series is arranged chronologically from 1955 – 1985. The meeting minutes are categorized by date as are the six guest books. The Sashay club material is included as they would eventually become the Crescent Squares.
The Prairie Squares Series is arranged chronologically from 1962 – 2000. There are some issues missing. The publication is monthly from 1962 – 1980, every two months from 1980 – 1999, and every three months with the 2000 issues.
The Reference Series is arranged chronologically from 1949 – 1983. The bulk of the series is how-to manuals on basic and advanced square dancing, there is a short history of the Dahlen Roll-A-Ways and the Country Wheelers included.
The Crescent Squares Series is arranged chronologically from 1955 – 1985. The meeting minutes are categorized by date as are the six guest books. The Sashay club material is included as they would eventually become the Crescent Squares.
The Prairie Squares Series is arranged chronologically from 1962 – 2000. There are some issues missing. The publication is monthly from 1962 – 1980, every two months from 1980 – 1999, and every three months with the 2000 issues.
Dates
- 1962-2000
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Copyright
Copyrights to this collection is held by the Institute.
Biography
Prairie Squares is the official publication of the North Dakota Square and Round Dance Club (NDSRDC). The NDSRDC was founded in 1953. The NDSRDC governing board consisted of a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. There were also four regional state directors responsible for the Northwest (Minot), North East (Grand Forks), South West (Bismarck), and South East (Fargo). The Prairie Squares publication began at an unknown date; the NDSU collection begins with 1962 and goes through 2000 with some issues missing in that date range. The end date of Prairie Squares (or if there is one) is not known. Prairie Squares underwent numerous changes from the 1960s-2000s roughly coinciding with each new decade.
Prairie Squares began as an informational pamphlet and morphed into a community for square dancing enthusiasts. As membership declined in the 1980s and 1990s, the pamphlet went back to a bare bones publication due to budget limitations and decreasing staff. At its peak, there were approximately 80 square dancing clubs that belonged to the NDSRDC. By 2000 there were 15, mostly located in the four large cities of North Dakota: Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot. There are now 6 active clubs, half of them in Fargo, one camping club, and approximately 80 total members. In keeping with the times, the NDSRDC even has a Facebook page with 16 followers.
The Crescent Squares was a square dancing club that was active from early 1968- January 6, 1982 in Fargo, North Dakota. The Crescent Squares began after a 1968 reorganization of the Fargo-based square dance group, The Sashay Club. They held dances at the YMCA, Eagles Club, Moose Lodge, and the El Zagal Shrine. The Crescent Squares ceased as a club on January 6, 1982 when they merged with the Y Promenaders, another Fargo-based square dance club. At its peak in the early 1970s, the Crescent Squares had approximately 80 members. When they were absorbed by the Y Promenaders in 1982 they had 22 members.
Prairie Squares began as an informational pamphlet and morphed into a community for square dancing enthusiasts. As membership declined in the 1980s and 1990s, the pamphlet went back to a bare bones publication due to budget limitations and decreasing staff. At its peak, there were approximately 80 square dancing clubs that belonged to the NDSRDC. By 2000 there were 15, mostly located in the four large cities of North Dakota: Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot. There are now 6 active clubs, half of them in Fargo, one camping club, and approximately 80 total members. In keeping with the times, the NDSRDC even has a Facebook page with 16 followers.
The Crescent Squares was a square dancing club that was active from early 1968- January 6, 1982 in Fargo, North Dakota. The Crescent Squares began after a 1968 reorganization of the Fargo-based square dance group, The Sashay Club. They held dances at the YMCA, Eagles Club, Moose Lodge, and the El Zagal Shrine. The Crescent Squares ceased as a club on January 6, 1982 when they merged with the Y Promenaders, another Fargo-based square dance club. At its peak in the early 1970s, the Crescent Squares had approximately 80 members. When they were absorbed by the Y Promenaders in 1982 they had 22 members.
Extent
3 Linear Feet (3 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Summary
The Prairie Squares and Crescent Squares Records consist of instructional square dancing manuals and pamphlets, movement guides, historical magazines, local histories of North Dakota square dance clubs, meeting minutes, guest books, by laws, correspondence, certificates of membership, newsletters, and the Prairie Squares mailed publications.
Provenance
Donated by Evelyn Clemens, July 11, 1997 and John Craven, April 11, 2000 (Accs. 2477 and 2588).
Property Rights
The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Prairie Squares & Crescent Squares Records
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu