Scope and Content
Collection of field recordings of hymns and spirituals of Pennsylvania Dutch Evangelical United Brethren, United Christian, and Mennonite singers; humorous songs, secular folk songs, jokes, hymns, religious beliefs, tales, and conversations in Pennsylvania German; hymns, ballads, folk songs, tales, and ghost stories in English. Several interviews are about holidays, camp meetings, and traditional healing, including Sophia Bailer's discussion of Pennsylvania Dutch blessings for healing -- "brauche" -- also known as powwowing. Musical accompaniment includes guitar and fiddle for some recordings. One wire spool includes a radio broadcast from station WEEU of a program on "Pennsylvania Dutch folklore" presented by John B. Brendel.
Recorded by Don Yoder and others at various locations in the Pennsylvania Dutch area of eastern Pennsylvania in 1950-1951, 1960, and possibly on other dates. Locations include Lancaster County, Lebanon County, Schuylkill County, Lehigh County, and Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Various performers and interviewees including Emma L. Yoder, Harry Lewis, Beulah Mae Lewis, Oliver Franklin Follweiler, Harvey Brunner Musselman, Miriam Hollenbach, Aggie Osman, Valeria Gable, Florence Gable, Florence Deibler, Martin Sweigert, Sophia Bailer, William (Willie) Brown, Christian R. Longenecker, Charles Fassnacht, Ella Fassnacht, Wesley Pfautz Martin, Mrs. Wesley P. Martin, and others.