Catalog Record:
Italian-Americans in the West Project Collection contains the sound recordings, photographs, video recordings, fieldnotes, publications, ephemera, and accompanying manuscript materials associated with the American Folklife Center's Italian-Americans in the West project. This project was part of the Center's commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the voyage of Christopher Columbus, which was an element of a larger program on the Quincentenary sponsored by the Library of Congress. The purpose of the three-year field research project was to document aspects of traditional cultural expression of Italian Americans in the western United States.
Field research conducted from 1989 through 1991 was directed by Center folklife staff. During the course of the field research, teams of folklife researchers explored the ways Italian Americans have defined their identity as a cultural group in the past and present. Subject areas studied included public and private aspects of expression, foodways, occupations, festivals, and vernacular architecture. Multiple research sites afforded the opportunity to map cultural intersections of ethnic and regional history. The sites were chosen on the basis of cultural and economic definitions of the West, in communities where Italian Americans have long been associated with the distinctive economies of the regions. Fieldwork took place in the agricultural community of Gilroy, California; the commercial fishing town of San Pedro, California; the steel mill town of Pueblo, Colorado; several small mining and ranching communities in eastern and central Nevada;several mining towns in Carbon County, Utah; and the agricultural region of Walla Walla, Washington.
The field research resulted in a large quantity of multi-format documentation that constitutes the bulk of this collection. Other products from the project include the book,
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.
Access to the collection is unrestricted. Upon request, reference copies of the sound recordings and the black-and-white contact sheets are available in the Folklife Reading Room. Duplication of the collection materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions.
Field research conducted from 1989 through 1991 was directed by Center folklife specialist David A. Taylor; historian John Alexander Williams served as a key consultant to the project. Center deputy director Ray Dockstader coordinated administrative and fundraising aspects, and Center archivist Stephanie Hall served as project archivist. Fieldworkers included Tom Carter, Doug DeNatale, Russell Frank, Andrea Graham, Ken Light, Jens Lund, Paula Manini, Philip Notarianni, Blanton Owen, Valerie Parks, Steve Siporin, Paola Tavarelli, and Myron Wood. All materials resulting from the project were accessioned by the Archive of Folk Culture at the American Folklife Center.
Initial processing of the collection was done in 1997. In April 2005, Sarah Bradley Leighton and Rona Razon resolved outstanding issues with diskettes and additional administrative materials that were found after the original processing had been completed. All modifications are reflected in this updated version of the collection guide and its appendices.
Italian-Americans in the West Project Collection (AFC 1989/022), Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Note: Sound recordings originally housed in Boxes 17-39 are stored in a separate location. Videotapes originally housed in Boxes 88-92 and 101 are stored in a separate location.
The manuscript materials provide supporting documentation for the entire project. Included are archival administrative materials such as log status reports that indicate the availability of reference copies, missing original items, electronic versions of documents, and so forth. Documents pertaining to the planning, administration, and promotion of the project are found in this series. Also included are fieldnotes, graphic material logs, sound recording logs, and video recording logs. This series also contains reports on the project and information on the book of collected essays. Finally, this series includes various publications such as books, articles, and periodicals as well as ephemera (e.g., newspaper clippings and maps) that provide background information on Italian-Americans in the western United States.
A description of the project's electronic files, their arrangement and location.
Tables that note the status of individual logs for formatted materials (sound recordings, graphic materials, and manuscripts) by fieldworker and location (diskette, database, and printout).
Tables (listed by fieldworker) that note the status of individual audiocassettes and reel-to-reel tapes, such as the existence of the original and reference copies and hard-copy logs.
Tables (listed by fieldworker) that note the status of individual black-and-white rolls, contact sheets, color slides, color internegatives, and color negatives.
Table (listed by fieldworker) that notes the status of individual videotapes, including the existence of original and reference copies and related hard-copy logs.
Alphabatized list of searchable terms used in the IAW ASKSAM database.
Preliminary box list, preliminary inventory, and other documentation related to the processing of this collection.
Information on the initial processing of this collection.
Draft project budgets, supplies and shipping receipts, and travel documentation.
Blank forms and signed duplicates of informant release forms.
General project correspondence dated between 1988 and 1990, arranged chronologically.
Original release forms signed by informants, arranged alphabetically by project site.
Original release forms signed by informants, arranged alphabetically by project site.
Correspondence between project personnel and informants, arranged alphabetically by project site.
Newspaper clippings, biographical information, and miscellaneous documentation related to informants, arranged alphabetically by project site.
Numerous copies of lists of informants' addresses.
Correspondence and contract information, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker/consultant.
Correspondence and contract information, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker/consultant.
Correspondence and contract information, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker/consultant.
Articles, brochures, fliers, news clippings and press releases concerning the Italian-Americans in the West project and other Columbian Quincentenary projects of the Library of Congress.
Printouts of directories of reference computer diskettes containing project files. Diskettes arranged alphabetically by fieldworker. For more information, see Diskette Status Reports in folder 2.
Fieldworkers' notes concerning daily activities during the project, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then chronologically. For more information, see Fieldnotes Status Report in folder 3.
Notebooks, sketch pads, and loose pages of notes and drawings made by fieldworkers during the project. Arranged alphabetically by fieldworker.
Notebooks, sketch pads, and loose pages of notes and drawings made by fieldworkers during the project. Arranged alphabetically by fieldworker.
Summaries of cassette and reel-to-reel recordings of interviews, music, and events, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then numerically by log number. For more information, see Audiocassette and Reel-to-Reel Logs Status Reports in folder 3.
Descriptions of black-and-white photos taken during the project, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then numerically by roll number. For more information, see Black-and-White Photograph Log Status Report in folder 3.
Descriptions of color slides taken during the project, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then numerically by slide sheet number. For more information, see Color Slide Log Status Report in folder 3.
Descriptions of videotapes taken during the project or donated to the project by informants, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker.
Intermim, final, and post-project reports. Arranged alphabetically by author (fieldworker), and then alphabetically by report title.
Materials concerning
Publicity and background materials describing the exhibition, "Old Ties, New Attachments: Italian-American Folklife in the West." For more information, see Series V.
Books, periodicals, journals, and articles about project sites collected as background information. Arranged alphabetically by project site.
Books, periodicals, journals, and articles about project sites collected as background information. Arranged alphabetically by project site.
Books, periodicals, journals, and articles about project sites collected as background information. Arranged alphabetically by project site.
Newspaper clippings, maps, unpublished manuscripts, and other materials collected during the project. Arranged alphabetically by project site.
Newspaper clippings, maps, unpublished manuscripts, and other materials collected during the project. Arranged alphabetically by project site.
Newspaper clippings, maps, unpublished manuscripts, and other materials collected during the project. Arranged alphabetically by project site.
65 computer diskettes consist of original and reference disks that contain original files and reference copies of those files. The reference copies have been rearranged for better access. The diskettes contain the documentation from the fieldwork as well as administrative files. Printed directories of each disk can be found in Box 103 which contains 60 additional diskettes with digital images.
Project documentation in electronic format (WordPerfect 5.1). 32 3.5-inch and 24 5.25-inch original disks containing original files and 18 3.5-inch reference disks containing copies of original files rearranged in a more logical order. Includes one disk that contains files of AFC administrative materials. Note: Additional diskettes are located in Box 103. The reference disks are arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and the files on the disks are arranged by fieldworker and then by document type. The original disks are arranged in numerical order. For more information, see Disk Directories in folders 58-59.
This series includes more than 500 original and reference copies of reel-to-reel and audiocassette field recordings. They consist predominantly of interviews with informants. Logs that describe the content of the recordings can be found in Series I.
Note: Sound recordings originally housed in Boxes 17-23 are stored in a separate location.
65 reel-to-reel tapes of interviews, music, and events, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then numerically by tape number. Reference copies are available in the Folklife Reading Room. For more information, see Sound Recording Logs in folders 89-105.
Note: Sound recordings originally housed in Boxes 24-39 are stored in a separate location.
233 audiocassette tapes of interviews, music, and events, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then numerically by tape number. Reference copies are available in the Folkife Reading Room. For more information, see Sound Recording Logs in folders 89-105.
Close to 25,000 images document the project's fieldwork. They include black and white negative rolls, contact sheets, color slides, negatives, and photographic prints. Logs describing the content of the field photographs are in Series I. There are more than 40 videocassettes that document a variety of festivals and events that took place in some of the Italian-American communities studied. Logs describing the content of some of these videos can be found in Series I.
Approximately 554 black-and-white negative rolls (16,450 images) taken by fieldworkers during the project, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then numerically by roll number. For more information, see Black-and-White Photo Logs in folders 106-123. Contact sheets are also available through the Folklife Reading Room.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Tom Carter. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Tom Carter. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Doug DeNatale. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Doug DeNatale. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Russell Frank. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Russell Frank. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Andrea Graham. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Andrea Graham. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Ken Light. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Jens Lund. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Jens Lund. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Jens Lund. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Paula Manini. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Philip F. Notarianni. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Blanton Owen. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Blanton Owen. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Blanton Owen. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Blanton Owen. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Valerie Parks. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Steve Siporin. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Steve Siporin. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Steve Siporin. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Paola Tavarelli. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, David Taylor. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, David Taylor. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, David Taylor. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, David Taylor. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, John Williams. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
Color slides taken by project fieldworker, Myron Wood. For content details, see Color Slide Logs in folders 124-140.
29 color negatives that are duplicates of color slides, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then numerically by sheet number. For more information, see Color Slide Log Status Report in folder 5.
Color negative rolls taken by fieldworkers during the project, arranged alphabetically by fieldworker and then numerically by sheet number.
45 color prints of various sizes and 2 negative rolls of the 1992 Columbus Day Parade in San Francisco, taken by John Williams.
Color photographs and slides taken by informants and donated to the Folklife Center, arranged alphabetically by project site.
Note: Videotapes originally housed in Boxes 88-92 are stored in a separate location.
21 videos taken by fieldworkers or informants, arranged alphabetically by item identifier. Reference copies are available in the Folklife Reading Room. For more information, see Videotape Logs in folders 141-145.
Mary Jean Porter, "Library of Congress team studying Pueblo's Italians,"
Dave Socier, "It's another I-Opening weekend ahead for golf,"
Tracey White, "Italian-American heritage intrigues research team,"
Karen Vigil, "Tragedy narrowly averted in I-25 accident,"
Extra copies of some black-and-white contact sheets and color slides. Note: Duplicate prints of many of the fieldwork graphics are located with the exhibit graphic materials in Binders 5-20.
Extra copies of some black-and-white contact sheets and color slides. Note: Duplicate prints of many of the fieldwork graphics are located with the exhibit graphic materials in Binders 5-20.
Multi-format materials related to the administration, development, and installation of the traveling exhibit, "Old Ties, New Attachments: Italian-American Folklife in the West" are found in this series. It includes manuscript and print materials, graphic materials, moving image materials, and artifacts. The exhibit itself is documented through audio scripts, label texts, photographs, and videotape.
Arranged alphabetically by subject. Includes correspondence, public relations materials (i.e., newspaper clippings, brochures, fliers), and photograph sources. Informants' files, arranged alphabetically by informant, contain information related to artifact loans. Site information, arranged alphabetically by exhibit site, contains public relations and correspondence concerning the installation and openings of the exhibit at different locations. Note: Materials such as purchase orders, contracts, fundraising documents, budget information, and related correspondence are located in Box 104.
Continued. See above.
Continued. See above.
Continued. See above.
Arranged alphabetically by subject. Contains papers related to the development, installation, and maintenance of the exhibit. Includes materials on the design concept as well as story stations and audio scripts, labels, video logs, artifact and photograph lists, artifact condition reports, and a multimedia installation manual. (The multimedia storytelling electronic files are duplicated on the AFC file server.)
Arranged alphabetically by subject. Contains papers related to the development, installation, and maintenance of the exhibit. Includes materials on the design concept as well as story stations and audio scripts, labels, video logs, artifact and photograph lists, artifact condition reports, and a multimedia installation manual. (The multimedia storytelling electronic files are duplicated on the AFC file server.)
(No folder numbers.)
Note: The videotape originally housed in Box 101 is stored in a separate location.
Miscellaneous items used in the exhibit that represent Italian American culture such as buttons, calendars, cloth patches, publications, and wine labels.
The IAW Image Backups are on 3.5-inch diskettes, housed in 5
diskette boxes within one manuscript box.
Diskette Box 1: Day 1, Box 1 of
1, IAW Image Backups, 14 Disks
Diskette Box 2: Day 2, Box 1 of 2, IAW
Image Backups, 10 Disks
Diskette Box 3: Day 2, Box 2 of 2, IAW Image
Backups, 11 disks
Diskette Box 4: Day 3, Box 1 of 2, IAW Image Backups, 14
disks
Diskette Box 5: Day 3, Box 2 of 2, IAW Image Backups, 11 disks