Leesburg May Pole Dance 1932

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195

Summary

Creator:
Lucille Muse
Abstract:
The Leesburg May Dance collection contains one black and white 5.5" x 3.5" photograph of the 1932 May Day and Health Day celebration taken by local photographer Russell Gregg.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Leesburg May Dance collection contains one black and white 5.5" x 3.5" photograph of the 1932 May Day and Health Day celebration taken by local photographer Russell Gregg. Leesburg High School students are shown at the court house lawn performing a Maypole dance. The photograph was printed in the May 19, 1932 Loudoun Times Mirror. This photograph is the only item in this collection. Another copy is part of the Russell Gregg Photograph Collection, ca. 1920-1944 (VC 0008).

Biographical / historical:

The Maypole tradition came to America with English settlers in the seventeenth century. However, because of Puritan influence, May Day is not universally celebrated today in the United States.

May Day began as a pagan holiday originating with Druids of the British Isles, who celebrated May 1 as Beltane or day of fire. They believed May 1 divided the year into two parts. Therefore, May Day was an ancient New Year rite celebrated by Druids with bonfires. Cattle were then driven though these fires to purify them. Men, with their sweethearts, also passed though smoke for good luck. During the Middle Ages, English villages began to erect Maypoles as a part of their celebration of first spring planting in late April or early May, and vied with each other for the tallest Maypole.

Many localities, both in the United States and throughout the world, continue celebrating with dancing and singing around Maypoles tied with colorful streamers or ribbons and choose their May Queen or other festivities.

Acquisition information:
Estate of Lucille Muse, Leesburg, VA