Skip to main content

Kenneth L. Carvell Folk Music Collection

 Collection
Collection Number: A&M 4611

Scope and Contents

Collection consists primarily of recordings of gospel music performed by the choirs and congregations of rural churches in Monongalia County, West Virginia, at various musical events held between 1957 and 1961. Most prevalent are recordings of the Monongalia Tri-District Sings, or "Third Sunday Sings" as they were popularly called, which were routinely convened on the third Sunday of each month extending from September to June. The collection also contains revival music, as well as informal music-making in the homes of friends and acquaintances of the collector.

Additional information available in: West Virginia University, and John A. Cuthbert. West Virginia Folk Music: A Descriptive Guide to Field Recordings in the West Virginia and Regional History Collection. West Virginia University Press, 1982.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1957-1961

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers may access digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.

Some audiovisual materials must be digitized for research access. Researchers must contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department in advance.

Collection is stored offsite; please make an appointment prior to visiting.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Biographical / Historical

Kenneth L. Carvell was born in Andover, Massachusetts in 1925. A professor of Forestry at West Virginia University, he holds degrees from Harvard, Yale, and Duke Universities. Unlike other collectors represented in our collections, Dr. Carvell's recording activities were the result of personal rather than professional interest.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (2 record cartons, 15 in. each)

15.3 Gigabytes (52 .wav files)

Language

English

Physical Location

West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/

Source

Title
Kenneth L. Carvell Folk Music Collection
Author
Staff of the West Virginia and Regional History Center
Date
2025-10-06
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository

Contact:
1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown WV 26506-6069 US
304-293-3536