Mildred Davenport dance ephemera collection
Scope and Contents
Content warning: outdated racial language to describe African Americans.
Three programs and one pamphlet documenting the dance career of African American dancer Mildred Davenport.
The first program, dated circa May 29, 1936, is titled "Annual May Pageant and Dance of Miss Mildred Davenport and Pupils in 'The Feast of Apollo' and Divertissements." The performance was held at Brattle Hall in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The cover features a headshot of Davenport in 1930s dance costume.
The second program, dated May 26, 1939, is titled "Twentieth Anniversary Souvenir Programme Booklet of Mildred Davenport and her Pupils - Bronze Rhapsody of 1939." The performance was held at Jordan Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, one of the premiere classical performance venues in the area. Inside the program are pictures of Davenport's students of varying ages, from elementary school age to young adult.
The third program, dated May 24, 1940, is titled "Bronze Rhapsody of 1940." The performance was held at Jordan Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Davenport and students from her dance studio, Davenport School of Dance, performed.
The pamphlet, titled "Mildred Davenport Evangelist of the Dance," promotes Davenport's teaching at her dance studio. The cover features an Art Deco photograph/illustration collage of her mid-dance, and a short biography and credentials are provided inside. Created circa late 1930s.
Dates
- 1936 - 1940
Creator
- Davenport, Mildred, 1900-1990 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)
Biographical Information
Mildred Davenport was an African American dancer and instructor of dance. Born in 1900, the main portion of Davenport's career took place in Massachusetts, specifically the Boston area. Davenport danced in many shows and reviews throughout her career, including shows on Broadway, and eventually ran two studios, the Davenport School of Dance and Silver Box Studio. Her dance career ended when she enrolled in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps during World War II, making her one of the first Black women in the Corps (Gilson). Davenport's later life was dedicated to civic service to the Black community of Boston. Davenport passed away in 1990.
Extent
.01 Linear Feet (4 items)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Content warning: outdated racial language to describe African Americans. Three programs and one pamphlet documenting the dance career of African American dancer Mildred Davenport, 1936 - 1940.
Arrangement
This is a single folder collection.
Physical Location
R 44, C 1, S 2
Acquisition Information
Purchased from Lorne Blair Rare Books, Manuscripts, & Ephemera in February 2011.
Bibliography
Processing Information
Processing and finding aid completed by Amanda Menjivar in January 2023.
- African Americans Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Dance -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Davenport, Mildred, 1900-1990
- Performing arts Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to Mildred Davenport dance ephemera collection
- Subtitle
- Mildred Davenport dance ephemera collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Amanda Menjivar
- Date
- January 5, 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center Repository
Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax Virginia 22030 United States
703-993-2220
703-993-8911 (Fax)
speccoll@gmu.edu