The National Resource Centre
for Historical
Dance
In 1999, the EDC announced the foundation of a National Centre for Historical Dance to support the study, re-creation and enjoyment of European dancing as represented in manuscripts and printed books since medieval times. The Circle had been planning this project for a number of years and it was felt that the time had come to give it at least a notional existence and to appoint David Wilson as the first Honorary Director.
Accommodation was initially provided by the Honorary Director, pending the possibility of permanent housing for the not-inconsiderable archive. In the meantime, books continue to be gathered for the Resource Centre’s library, and many of the first 750 volumes, together with a substantial amount of musical and pictorial archive material, have already been catalogued.
It is possible now to download the catalogue in PDF format. The catalogue is divided into five categories. In order to get any of them, please click in the relevant section
SOCIAL HISTORY AND MANNERS (inc. theatre history)
This library will be a major feature of the ultimate Resource Centre. The Circle’s intention is that this should become the most comprehensive accessible working library in the country for Historical Dance. Obviously, it can never have the range of rare publications that are to be found in the British Library and in equivalent national libraries abroad, but it will have a good coverage both of actual books, and of manuscripts and other sources on microfilm. This material embraces not only dance, but also music, social history and manners, and dress (including costume-making). A large part of this final section is The Elizabeth Wilson Collection.
In due course, it may be possible to provide an index of relevant rare books held in other libraries, in London, and also elsewhere.
The Early Dance Circle is well aware that the collections of the National Resource Centre will be built up mainly by gift and bequest, through the goodwill of existing scholars. It invites the Historical Dance community to support the Centre in this manner and it will be happy to receive any such donations, which will be fully acknowledged.
Anyone wishing to have further information about NRCHD or the archive collection should contact -
EDC Publications,
Hunter’s Moon, Orcheston, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3
4RP, UK
Dianacruic@aol.com
Tel: 01980 620339