<part>West Virginia Folk Music: A Descriptive Guide to Field Recordings in the West Virginia and Regional History Collection</part>

A&M 3003Patrick Ward Gainer (1904-1981), Collector, Papers and Folk Music Recordings A&M 3003Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History CenterWest Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave. P.O. Box 6069 Morgantown, WV 26506-6069Business Number: 304-293-3536wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.comURL:

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-09-17 10:00:09 -0400.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard West Virginia and Regional History Center Patrick Ward Gainer (1904-1981), Collector, Papers and Folk Music Recordings Gainer, Patrick W. A&M 3003 Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key /repositories/2/resources/4336 18.08 Linear Feet 39 document cases, 5 in. each; 1 records carton, 15 in.; 4 microfilm boxes, 1.75 in. each 25.4 Gigabytes 203 .wav files and 28 .mp3 files 1890-1981 West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: West Virginia & Regional History Center English . Conditions Governing Access

Special access restrictions apply.

Permission of a curator required for use of this material; please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department to request permission.

Part of this collection (22 boxes of folk music recordings) is stored offsite. Please make an appointment prior to visiting.

Researchers may access digitized audiovisual materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department. Materials that are not digitized must be digitized prior to research access. Researchers must contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department to request digitization.

Unpublished Note

Permission of WVC curator required for use of this material. See deed of gift for specific conditions.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, the Gainer recordings are Z:\Working Files\Non-A&M\WVC_Music_and_Oral_History\Folk Music (CxxxT)\Patrick Gainer (AM 3003). Eventually, these should be moved to the A&M side, AND additional recordings are expected from the current CLIR grant.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from (in process), (in process)

Legacy Administrative Notes

!!processing; 2013/11/25; mrr

There are many, many tapes that need to be inventoried and digitized. Some tapes have been digitized and are stored electronically with the folk music collections.

!!processing; 2014/01/02; mt

308 audio tapes (the tapes were counted during the extent project of 2014/02/19) **New count in 2025 came up with 293 tapes**

Legacy Formats

archives and manuscripts; sound recordings

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Patrick Ward Gainer (1904-1981), Collector, Papers and Folk Music Recordings, A&M 3003, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Scope and Contents

Archives of an eminent folklorist and professor of English at West Virginia University. Manuscripts include field folklore collections, lecture notes, book manuscripts, correspondence, student papers, and folksong arrangements. There are also materials regarding Gainer's position as director of South Atlantic USO activities during World War II and a journal of a folksong collecting trip to Ireland in 1961. Also two hundred and ninety-three audio tapes containing vocal and instrumental folk music, folklore and oral history, recorded in West Virginia and in Scotland and Ireland. Nearly half of the material is performed by Gainer himself. The collection also includes news clippings relating to folklore and Gainer's career, as well as a variety of photographs, film clips, and personal awards and memorabilia.

Additional information about the folk music recordings is available in: West Virginia University, and John A. Cuthbert. <part>West Virginia Folk Music: A Descriptive Guide to Field Recordings in the West Virginia and Regional History Collection</part>. West Virginia University Press, 1982.

Separated Materials

Hymnals separated to the rare book collection:

Baxter, J. R., W. W. Combs, Homer F. Morris, and Virgil O. Stamps, compilers. Favorite Songs and Hymns: A Complete Church Hymnal. Dallas, Texas: Stamps-Baxter Music and Printing Co., 1939.

Baltzell, Isaiah and E. S. Lorenz. The Master's Praise. Dayton, Ohio: W. J. Shuey, 1891.

Black, James M. The Chorus of Praise. Chicago: Jennings and Pye.

Byers, A. L., C. E. Hunter, D. O. Teasley, and B. E. Warren, editors. Truth in Song. Anderson, Indiana: Gospel Trumpet Co., 1907.

Elderkin, George D., editor. The Finest of the Wheat. Chicago: R. R. McCabe and Co., Publishers, 1890.

Elderkin, George D., editor. The Finest of the Wheat No. 2. Chicago: R. R. McCabe and Co., Publishers, ca. 1908. [two copies, one with missing boards]

Hall, J. H., E. T. Hildebrand and J. H. Ruebush. The Messenger of Song. Dayton, Virginia: The Ruebush-Kieffer Co., 1893.

Holsinger, George B. Gospel Songs and Hymns No. 1. Mount Morris, Illinois: Brethren Publishing House, 1899.

Lincoln, H. N. Sacred Song King. Dallas, Texas: Songland Company, 1901.

Myers, A. F. The New Century Carols. Dayton, Ohio: The United Brethren Publishing House, 1899.

Siedleckiego, X. J. Spiewniczek Koscielny. Krakow, Poland: XX Misyonarzy Na Kleparzu, 1908.

Randall, R. H. The Key-Letter. Marion, Ohio: R. H. Randall, ca. 1891.

Ravanello, Orestes, editor. Secunda Anthologia Vocalis. Torino, Italy: Societa Tipografico-Editrice Nazionale.

Rodeheaver, Charles A., compiler. Rodeheaver's Gospel Songs. Edited by Charles H. Gabriel. Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1922.

[hymnal and instruction book] 123 pages. 6 in. x 9 1/2 in. First page: "Elementary Department".

[hymnal] 214 pages. 7 3/4 in. x 5 1/4 in. ca. 1893. First page: "No. 11 The Holy of Holies".

[hymnal] 193 pages. 5 1/4 in. x 6 3/4 in. First page: "Index of Subjects".

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Clay County (W. Va.) Gilmer County (W. Va.) Ireland Scotland Folk music Folklore Music and musicians. Photography Politics and government. World War, 1939-1945 West Virginia University. Department of English Gainer, Patrick W. Gaynor family Folk Music RecordingsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/256899circa 1949-1981Conditions Governing Access