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Harriet Lundgren papers

 Collection
Identifier: Dance-MS-Lundgren

Scope and Content of the Collection

Collection is mainly scrapbooks containing newspaper and magazine clippings, programs and other memorabilia relating to dancers, opera singers and their performances in Chicago during the 1920s and 1930s. Also, a few articles, magazines and loose programs, including a souvenir program of Anna Pavlova, a catalog for the Bush Conservatory, and numerous photographs, many signed by celebrities. Also, there is a large oil painting of Lundgren posed in costume done by Salvatore Salla.

Dates

  • Creation: 1917-1991
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1920-1938

Creator

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The Harriet Lundgren papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The Harriet Lundgren papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections at reference@newberry.org.

Biography of Harriet Lundgren

Chicago ballet dancer.

Of Swedish descent, Harriet Lundgren, daughter of Ida Lundgren and artist Martin Lundgren, was born in Chicago in 1907. Lungren started her training at the Hazel Wallack Studio, later joined the Pavley-Oukrainsky Ballet, and still later the Adolph Bolm Company.

For a number of years, Lundgren was a principal performer, most notably with the Chicago Civic Opera Company, where she was prima ballerina from 1922 to 1932. She toured both in America and in Europe, and appeared with the Ruth Page Ballet at Ravinia Park, the Capitol Theatre in New York, the Century of Progress International Exposition, and at many other venues.

Harriet Lundgren was not only a well-known performer, she was also a teacher. She was on the faculty of the Bush Conservatory, a school of dramatic arts and dancing, where her teaching was described along the lines of Russian and Italian ballet, emphasizing toe, character, Oriental and interpretive techniques. Among other activities, she taught at the traveling normal school conducted by the Chicago Association of Dancing Masters.

After a busy career being involved in numerous Chicago events, Lundgren left the stage in the 1950s and opened a dance school in the Edgewater Beach Apartments. She retired in the 1960s and died in 1996.

Extent

0.8 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Abstract

Material relating to the career of Chicago ballet dancer Harriet Lundgren. Includes three scrapbooks of clippings, articles, pictures and reviews regarding Lundgren, other dancers, and opera singers of the 1920s and 1930s. Also, a few articles and magazine excerpts on the ballet, several programs, and a collection of miscellaneous photographs of performers and celebrities.

Arrangement

Arranged by type of material.

Collection Stack Location

3a 48 9; Ann Barzel Reading Room

Provenance

Gift of Harriet Lundgren, 1991, 1995.

Processed by

Virginia H. Smith, 2007.

Title
Inventory of the Harriet Lundgren papers, 1917-1991, bulk 1920-1938
Status
Completed
Author
Virginia H. Smith
Date
©2007.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512