Legacy Finding Aid for Manuscript and Photograph Collections

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The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., is a community-supported educational and research organization that collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nation’s capital. Founded in 1894, it serves a diverse audience through its collections, public programs, exhibits, and publications. THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, D.C

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS FINDING AID

Title: MS 0741 Mary Day collection, 1930-2006 (Bulk: 1965-1985)

Processor: Colleen McKnight and Judy Estey

Date: March 2010

Biographical Note:

“Mary Day [1910-2006] was born on Jan. 25, 1910, in Washington, where she studied with [Lisa] Gardiner, who had danced with Anna Pavlova's company. After founding the Washington School of Ballet in 1944, both women presented their students in children's ballets, often with the National Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Gardiner had called her small performing group the Washington Ballet, a title that was retained when the troupe was reorganized and Ms. Gardiner became artistic adviser in 1956. She died in 1958.

Ms. Day, whose drive to establish ballet in Washington was accompanied by a brisk elegance, then directed the small company with Frederic Franklin, a star of the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo. When Mr. Franklin left in 1961 to form a new company, the National Ballet, in Washington, Ms. Day shifted her attention to her school, adding an academic wing.

The National Ballet folded in 1974, and Ms. Day reorganized the Washington Ballet as a professional company in 1976. She was artistic director from 1976 to 1999, when she was succeeded by Septime Webre. She retired as director of the school in 2003.”

- Excerpt from: Anna Kisselgoff. "Mary Day, Teacher of Ballet, Dies at 96." [Obituary] New York Times. 13 Jul 2006, Late Edition (East Coast)

Scope and Content Note:. The Mary Day collection consists of books, photographs, correspondence, magazine and newspaper articles, programs, business records, publicity materials, scrapbooks, and memorabilia related to Day's early career as a dancer and her work with the Washington Ballet Company and Academy. The collection also contains "dancer files" which include correspondence, press clippings and programs for select Washington Ballet Academy students including such notables as Shirley MacLaine, Choo San Goh, and Kevin McKenzie.

The collection has been arranged into 10 series:

SERIES 1: PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1969-2000, consists of letters written directly to and from Mary Day instead of correspondence sent through the Washington Ballet Academy or company.

SERIES 2: BUSINESS PAPERS, 1960-2004, consists of correspondence, contracts, tour itineraries, financial records, memos, a musical score with choreography notes, and governing documents relating primarily to the activities of the Washington Ballet with some materials pertaining to the Washington School of the Ballet. This series has been divided into two subseries: SUBSERIES 1: GENERAL RECORDS, 1969-2002 SUBSERIES 2: FOREIGN TOURS, 1960-2004, consists of materials, including programs, publicity materials, contacts, itineraries, and memos from the Washington Ballet’s performances abroad primarily during the 1980s.

SERIES 3: WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF THE BALLET, 1962-2002, contains programs, photographs, articles, and letters relating to the Washington School of the Ballet. This series also includes materials from the now-defunct Washington Ballet Academy (where students took both academic and dance classes).

SERIES 4: DANCER FILES, 1962-2002, contains correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, and programs documenting the careers of several Mary Day students. Prominent names include actress and entertainer, Shirley MacLaine; Kevin McKenzie , Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre; and Choo San Goh, Choreographer and Artistic Associate for the Washington Ballet during the 1980s.

SERIES 5: PROGRAMS AND PROMOTIONAL, 1933-2004, consists mostly of collected programs with some newspaper clippings and promotional materials relating to either Mary Day and/or the Washington Ballet; also includes a few non-Day related programs.

SERIES 6: PUBLICITY AND PRESS, ca. 1930-2006, contains newspaper clippings, and magazine articles related to Mary Day or the Washington Ballet; includes Mary Day obituaries from her death in 2006; and the Washington Ballet periodical, “In Motion.”

SERIES 7: PHOTOGRAPHS, circa 1930-1996 and undated, contains both informal personal and production snapshots and professionally photographed production stills, publicity shots, and professional portraits. The majority of photographs are undated and a significant number of are oversized. The series has been divided into two subseries: SUBSERIES 1: PRODUCTION SNAPSHOTS AND STILLS, 1967-1969 and undated SUBSERIES 2: PUBLICITY SHOTS AND PROFESSIONAL PORTRAITS, ca. 1930- ca.1990 SUBSERIES 3: INFORMAL SNAPSHOTS, 1958-1996

SERIES 8: SCRAPBOOKS, 1956-1985, contains photographs and other clippings of dancers related to Mary Day and the Washington Ballet, including a scrapbook dedicated to Amanda McKerrow, the first American to receive a gold medal at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow. Some of these scrapbooks are labeled; some scrapbooks also contain photographs that are not attached to the pages.

SERIES 9: LIBRARY, undated, contains books about ballet collected by Mary Day.

SERIES 10: MEMORABILIA, ca. 1930-ca. 1990, contains plaques, awards, posters, certificates, artwork, and other memorabilia related to Day's tenure at the Washington Ballet and Washington Ballet School. Also includes Ana Pavlova ballet shoes.

Donor: Elvi Moore, 2006.008

Size: 12.00 Cubic Feet

Restrictions: None

Related Materials: None

Container List:

SERIES 1: PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1969-2000

Container 1:

Correspondence China, 1988 and undated

Sally Trammel Correspondence, 1994 and undated

Louis Tupler Correspondence, 1997-1998 and undated

Martin Von Hamel Correspondence, 1990

Miscellaneous Postcards and Cards, 1970-2000 and undated

Mark Neal Correspondence, 1969-1985

Miscellaneous Personal Correspondence, 1967-2003 and undated

SERIES 2: BUSINESS PAPERS SUBSERIES 1: GENERAL RECORDS, 1969-2002

Washington Ballet incorporation/bylaws/Board of Directors records, 1978-1983

Gala/Fundraiser Invitations, 1964-2000

Applications – rejected NEA, October 1979

Nutcracker Correspondence, 1969-1975

Publication, Ballet Letter, 1982

Disgruntled Correspondence, 1966-1994

Miscellaneous Company Correspondence/Memorandums, 1976-1983 3

Container 1 Continued:

CAMI Expenses, 1980-1981

Jacob's Pillow Correspondence, 1959-1980

Critic's Correspondence, 1965-1970

Artistic Director Job Description, 1977, 1979

Menotti's "The Unicorn, The Gorgon, and the Manticore," Washington Cathedral, 1965-1975

Cinderella musical score with choreography notes, undated

Spring Series, Miscellaneous Financial Records, 1979

Frederick Marketing, 1979

Mikhail Baryshnikov, 1978-1979

Annapolis Tour, 1981

City Dance, 1980

North Carolina Tour, 1977-1980

Venue Research, ca. 1980s

Washington Ballet Accomplishments, 1980

Baltimore Lyric Theatre Contracts/Correspondence, 1981

Goucher College Contracts/Correspondence, 1980-1982

NYC Tour, April 1982

Potomac Performances Inc. Contracts/Correspondence, 1982-1983

Leonardtown Contract/Correspondence, 1982

SUNY Stony Brook Contract/Correspondence, 1982

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center Contract/Correspondence, 1983

The Pavilion at the Old Post Office Contract/Correspondence, 1983

Palm Beach Festival Contract/Correspondence, 1981-1983

Container 1 Continued:

Carl Michel and Nutcracker Costume Dispute, 1984

Dancer's Handbook, Company Rosters and Schedules, Miscellaneous Company Production Records, 1985-1991

New York and California Tour Itineraries, ca. 1980-1989

Korea Olympic Arts Festival Correspondence, 1987

Southern Tour, Spring 1982

School and Company Reunions, Anniversaries, 1981-1997 [includes some photographs]

Dance DC, 2000-2002

Visas, 1979-1981

Miscellaneous Press Releases, 1981

SERIES 2: BUSINESS RECORDS SUBSERIES 2: FOREIGN TOURS, 1960-2004

Singapore Programs, 1985

China, 1985

European Tour, 1982

Far East Tour, 1988

Penang-Festival Program, 1986

Columbia, 1982

South America, 1984, 1993

Spain Tour, 1989

Singapore, 1982

Far East Tour [3 Folders], 1984

Russia, 1960-2004

Italy, 1982

SERIES 3: WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF THE BALLET, 1962-2002

50th Anniversary, 1994

50th Anniversary Photograph Contact Sheet [photocopy], 1994

Container 2:

Academy Commencement Exercises, includes photographs, 1964-1966, 1977

Academy Catalog Pictures, undated

Miscellaneous programs, photos, and invitations, undated

Promotional materials and student handbook, 1962-2002

Enrollment and Alumni Lists, 1963-1976, undated

Igor Schwezoff, 1962

Academy Press, 1962-1985

Ballet School Programs, 1964, 1973-1974, 1976, undated

Miscellaneous School Materials, 1976 and undated

Academy Correspondence, 1971-1977

Early press clippings and programs, miscellaneous visiting ballet company programs, National Ballet clippings, 1934-1950

SERIES 4: DANCER FILES, 1969-2004

Rosine Bena, 1969-1987

Veanne Cox, 2000-2003

Georgia Engles, 1973-2004

Choo San Goh (includes tribute materials), 1978-1990

Jennifer Holmes, 1979-1989

Caroline Iura and Clint Farha, 1977-1991

Robert Larkin, 1979-1986

Victoria Leigh, 1993 and undated 6

Container 2 continued:

Shirley MacLaine, 1955-1999 [2 Folders]

James Canfield and Patricia Miller, 1976-1998

Bonnie Moore, 1983-1985 and undated

Tommy Russell, undated

Lorraine Spiegler, 2001-2003

Cartier Williams, 1996-2000

SERIES 5: PROGRAMS AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS, 1933-2004

Promotional Materials, 1944-2001

Early Day and Gardiner Programs and Clippings, 1933-1945

Washington Ballet Season Programs, 1960-2001

Washington National and Washington Concert Ballet Programs, 1940-1946

Mary Day Programs, 1951, 1954

Washington Ballet Programs, 1960's

Washington Ballet Programs, 1970's

Washington Ballet Programs, 1980's

Container 3:

Washington Ballet Programs, 1980’s [3 Folders]

Washington Ballet Programs, 1990’s

Washington Ballet Programs, 2000-2004

Miscellaneous Programs, 1937-1988

Foreign Company Programs, 1980’s

SERIES 6: PUBLICITY AND PRESS, ca.1930-2006

Washington Ballet “In Motion”, 1980-2002 7

Container 3 continued:

Mary Day Celebration, 2006

Mary Day Obituaries, July 2006-October 2006

Amanda McKerrow Gold Medal Articles, 1981

Clippings , 1930’s – 2000’s [8 Folders]

SERIES 7: PHOTOGRAPHS SUBSERIES 1: PRODUCTION STILLS AND SNAPSHOTS, 1967-1969 and undated

Nutcracker, undated

Container 4:

Nutcracker, undated

“Old shots, early days,” undated

Constitution Hall, circa 1969

“Old slides, Nightgale and Paul,” undated

Cathedra, Ondine / Sylphides / Nightingale, ca. 1967 [contains correspondence]

Jacob’s Pillow, undated

Arena Stage, undated

Unicorn, Manticore,Gorgon Photographs, undated [see Container 16]

Miscellaneous Productions, undated [2 Folders, most identified]

Unidentified Production Photographs, undated

SERIES 7: PHOTOGRAPHS SUBSERIES 2: PUBLICITY SHOTS AND PROFESSIONAL PORTRAITS, ca. 1930- ca.1990 and undated

J. Shibata, 10th Anniversary Portfolio, 1984

Gardiner Pictures, undated [see also Container 16] Mary Day Photos, circa 1930 – circa 1990 [4 Folders, see also Container 16]

Student Pictures, circa 1960’s

Container 4 continued:

Washington School of the Ballet, 1960’s

Miscellaneous Publicity/Portraits, undated [2 Folders, see also Container 16]

Photos from Stephen [?] B, undated

Ana Pavlova Photograph and scrapbook, undated [see Container 16]

SERIES 7: PHOTOGRAPHS SUBSERIES 2: INFORMAL SNAPSHOTS, 1958-1996 and undated

Dominican Engagement, 1958

"Old Company," undated

Barcelona Tour, 1990

China/Korea Tour, circa 1988

Dinner Party, December 28, 1996

Easter at the White House, 1993 [also includes negatives]

Russia Photographs, undated [also includes some correspondence]

"Fi-Jen-Russ France," undated

Nutcracker [?] at the Mall, undated

"Garden with L.G.," undated

"Varna, Kristie/Michael," undated

"Tours" Photographs, undated

"Acworth, NH," undated

"Carter Baron Amphitheatre/Gardenpool with Company," undated

"White House/Young Dancers," undated

With Hillary Clinton, undated Miscellaneous Labeled Informal Snapshots, undated

Unknown Travel, November 1984

Container 4 continued:

Unknown Miscellaneous Informal Snapshots, including negatives [7 Folders], undated

Swan Lake reflecting pool, undated, [1 Folder, see also Container 16]

Miscellaneous Slides, undated

SERIES 8: SCRAPBOOKS AND PHOTO ALBUMS, 1956-1985 and undated

Container 5:

Scrapbooks, 1956-1960 and 1960/1962

Container 6:

Scrapbooks, 1962-1965 and 1965-1976

Container 7:

Scrapbooks, 1976-1979 and 1979-1980

Container 8:

Scrapbooks, 1980, 1981-1982, and 1982-1983

Container 9:

Scrapbooks, 1983-1984 and 1984-1985

Container 10:

Amanda McKerrow scrapbook, 1980s

Loose scrapbook pages, [Note: pages were grouped together, but may not be related]

Container 11:

Washington Ballet Guild Scrapbook dedicated to Mary Day, undated

Unicorn/Gorgon/Matincore, Wing Suite photo album, 1965 and undated

"OZ" photo album [2 albums], undated Miscellaneous, unfinished photo album, undated

SERIES 9: LIBRARY, undated

Container 12:

Collected Books on Dance

SERIES 10: MEMORABILIA, ca.1930-ca.1990

Container 13:

Award and Plaques

Container 14:

Ballet Slippers worn by Ana Pavlova

Container 15:

Certificates, Posters, Artwork and Miscellaneous [see also Manuscript Flat Files for Chinese Tour Poster]

Container 16: (oversize photographs)

Unicorn, Manticore, Gorgon Photographs, 1965 and undated

Gardiner Pictures, undated

Mary Day Photos, circa 1930 – circa 1990

Miscellaneous Publicity/Portraits, undated

Swan Lake reflecting pool, undated

Ana Pavlova Photograph and scrapbook, undated