Fallingwater Friday: Dancing 'Round The Maypole The Maypole Dance has historically been a celebration of the first of May and the arrival of spring. Today the dance is performed primarily by children: at schools, playgrounds and fairs by young performers after much rehearsal and guiding choreography. Both boys (who dance clockwise) and girls (who dance counterclockwise) participate. The pole should be at least three inches in diameter, 10 to 12 feet high, stationary and fastened securely. Ribbons of two colors are tied securely to the top of the pole and should be long enough (longer than the pole) to allow the dancers to move in a wide circle, creating a multi-colored Maypole.
Today's photo shows the students at the Bear Run school, a one-room school house near Fallingwater, dancing ‘round the Maypole in the 1940s. Virginia Friend Kessler, pictured on the far right recalls the Bear Run School "being like a private school – there were probably not more than 21 students at a time." Dorothy McAllister is pictured third from the right. She was the daughter of Mac McAllister, chauffer for the Kaufmann's when they were at Fallingwater. Stories of the school and the community of Bear Run are featured in Fallingwater Homecoming,” an exhibit opening May 18th at the Barn at Fallingwater and running through July. This exhibit is free and open to the public.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Kessler.
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Happy Arbor Day.
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