Figure 1.-- Here we have a colorized blck nd whiteportrait, we believe from the 1920s, lthough it is undtd. It looks to us like this is performance rather than socil dancing, perhaps Irish step dancing slthough the chilren are not wearing the costumnes that became popular after World War II, edlaborate embroidered dresses for the girls and kilts for the boys. Girls doing irish dncung did often have their hair styled in ringlets.

We know nuch more about the 20th century, in part becuse of the much larger photogeraphic record. We have found photographic evidence of both dance classes and performance dancing. Here there were gender differences. Performamnce dancing was primarily for girls. Social dancing lessons were more likely to involve both and boys. Mothers tended to be more insistent about social dancing, knowing that it was a valuable social skill. This was virtualy uiversal fr sealtyhy fmlies, but common for mddle-class families as well. Boys often did not like the idea. But we see examples through the 1960s. We also notice social dancing classes in school, often as part of the P.E. program. Mothers were less likely to insist on performance dancing in which we mostly girls and a few younger boys involved. Some ethnic communities promoted nation dance forms. This was particulrly notable with the German, Irish, and Scottish communities. This seems to have increased in popularity after World War II. We see Irish step dancving brcoming increasingly important. We do not think the war was afactor, but kind of interest in national roots with the increasing second and third generation immigrant families. Social dancing chnged in the sevcond half of the 20th century, especially the 1970s. The dance forms became more free style and less likely to be actually taught.

The 1900s

We know nuch more about children's activities the 20th century, in part becuse of the much larger photogeraphic record. We have found photographic evidence of both dance classes and performance dancing. The development of simple t use cmeras like the turn-of the-centutylike the Kodak Brownie, took photoraohy out sise the studio and we bhin o see counless snapshot. Dance was, hoever difficult to nphotograph as it was mistly done ijnsoors which was more comliced hn outsoor photography. Here there were gender differences. Performamnce dancing was primarily for girls. Social dancing lessons were more likely to involve both and boys. Mothers tended to be more insistent about social dancing, knowing that it was a valuable social skill. This was virtualy universal for wealthy families, but common for middle-class families as well. Boys often did not like the idea.

The 1920

Mant mothere has their sons attend ballroom dancing lessons. Thy were much less likely to insist on performance dancing in which we mostly girls and a few younger boys involved. Afew older boys were involved. The hand colored black and white portrait here shows children dancing we think in the 1920s. We are not sure, but it looks like the 1920s to us. We think they are doing some kind of performance dancing. Perhaps it is Irish step dancing, but notice that they are not wearing what was to become Irish dancing costumes, edlaborate embroidered dresses for the girls and kilts for the boys. Girls doing irish dncung did often have their hair styled in ringlets.

The 1950s

We see boys and girls dressed up in their best clothes taking social/ballroom dancing lessons. Lessons in etiquite were commonly included. We also notice social dancing classes in school, often as part of the P.E. program.

The 1960s

We see examples of social dancing classes through the 1960s. A good example was a 1968 newspaper article. The caption pf a photograph read, "Dancing Class for New York'Society Children: The De Rham Dancing School, situated in New York's elegant 'Silk Stocking' district, has for years taught dance steps and manners to the children of New York's socilly prominent people. Its graduates include Rosalind Russell, Jacqueline Kennedy, George Hamilton, and the Ford children. Estblished by De Rham, the vchool is now run by his widow," The photgraph was taken Febvyuary 7, 1968. We see these dancing classes and thw Se Rham stufio being picked up by the press in the 1950s and 60s, becuse the children came from socially prominent fmilies, but there similar dancing lesseons in mant differnt cities round the country. Some ethnic communities promoted nation ethnic dance forms. This was particulrly notable with the German, Irish, and Scottish communities. This seems to have increased in popularity after World War II. We see Irish step dancing becoming increasingly important. We do not think World War II itself was a factor, but it did help generte an inceasing interest in national roots among the second and third generation immigrant families. Dancing became an important activity at the popular Irish feises--events similar to Sottih Highland gatherings. The Irish feises were different in that the dancing competitions were commonly the major activity.

The 1970s

Social dancing chnged in the seccond half of the 20th century, especially the 1970s. The dance forms became more free style and less likely to be actually taught.

The 1980s

We notice Irish step fancing bcoming very popular. primrly wih children during the 1980s. Mny feises occur al over the country, primrly during the summer. Most of the paricipants are girls, but quite a number of boys also paticipated.

Created: 9:44 AM 4/18/2010
Last updated: 10:28 PM 7/12/2022