Woody Guthrie Papers, 1944-1949

Object Details

Notes: Woodrow (Woody) Wilson Guthrie (1912-1967) was one of the most important folk composers in American history. Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie's name is associated with the common people and those displaced by the Great Dust Storms of the 1930's. He was a prolific songwriter, and his song "This Land is Your Land" is considered by many to be his best known. During the height of his short recording career Guthrie recorded with many of the best-known folk singers and players in the New York area. A one time member of the Almanac Singers with Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Bess Hawes and others, Woody also frequently performed with Lead Belly, Burl Ives, Cisco Houston and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. Guthrie's earliest recordings were done for RCA and came out as a set entitled Dust Bowl Ballads, later reissued by Folkways.; It was Guthrie's association with Moses Asch of Folkways Records which yielded the bulk of Guthrie's recorded legacy. Guthrie was given a stipend by Asch to come by the studio when he felt like recording. A one day session in March 1944, yielded 75 recorded songs alone. His songs were recorded on glass discs which now reside in the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Much of this material was released by Asch on various Asch, Disc and Folkways recordings, including his classic children's material.; Although well known for his music, Guthrie was also an artist. Among the materials that came with the Moses and Frances Asch Collection are watercolors and pen and ink drawings. Guthrie was also a writer of note, his most famous work being the novel "Bound for Glory". Historians have begun to consider Guthrie an important literary figure of the 20th century. Guthrie died of Huntington's Chorea in 1967 after a long hospitalization. The Woody Guthrie Papers, including typed song lyrics, correspondence, drawings, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous items, were left with Moses Asch, and came to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections as part of the Asch Collection in 1987. The largest collection of Woody Guthrie papers, artwork, and miscellaneous items is held by the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Organization: Arranged in boxes and map files by type of material. The major groupings are song lyrics, drawings, correspondence, and clippings
Repository Loc.: Smithsonian Institution, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, 600 Maryland Ave., S.W., Suite 2001, Washington, D.C. 20024. Call 202-633-7322 for appointment. Fax: 202-633-7019. Email: rinzlerarchives@si.edu

Data Source: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

Date: 1944-1949; 20th century; 18th century

Creator: Guthrie, Woody 1912-1967
Subject: Guthrie, Woody 1912-1967

Restrictions & Rights: Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at 202-633-7322 for additional information; Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information

Type: Business records; Drawings; Photographic prints; Business letters

Physical description: approximately 1.5 cubic feet

Place: United States

See more items in: Moses and Frances Asch Collection 1939-1986

Topic: Popular music; Music; Folk music; Vocal music

Record ID: siris_arc_247182

Usage: CC0