History

In early 1900s England, there was a growth of interest in traditional English country, morris, and sword dances. In 1911, the English Folk Dance Society (EFDS) was founded to preserve and promote these dances. Subsequently, several teachers of these traditions, including Mary Neal, Florence “Florrie” Warren, A. Claud Wright, and Cecil Sharp, came to the US to teach morris and English country dance.

In 1915, aficionados of the dance in Boston established the first US branch of the EFDS with philanthropist Helen Storrow as the president. Branches were also established in Chicago, New York, and Pittsburgh. The organization originally focused on performance and demonstration groups, rather than on participatory dance. The Boston branch sponsored summer workshops, and in 1933 Helen Storrow hosted the workshops at her Pine Tree Camp near Plymouth, MA. The name was later changed to Pinewoods. 

In 1933, the English Folk Dance and Song Society of America (EFDSSA) was formed, uniting the several regional US branches of the EFDS. A national headquarters was established in New York City, and May Gadd, who had come to the US in 1927 to teach dance, was appointed first national director. The organization’s name was changed to the Country Dance Society in 1949; “and Song” was added in 1967. CDSS began publishing information about dance and song traditions with The Country Dancer in 1940, in time leading to today’s CDSS News.

When Helen Storrow died in 1944, she left Pinewoods Camp to her assistant, Lily Conant, and Lily’s husband, Richard. CDSS continued to sponsor dance camps at Pinewoods, adding more weeks with different focuses, including English, American, early music, and folk music.

In 1975, CDSS added the first Family Week, eventually sponsoring up to four family programs at different facilities. In 1976, the Conant family, CDSS, and other user groups formed an independent organization, Pinewoods Camp, Inc., to own and operate Pinewoods. Since then, CDSS has operated summer programs at Pinewoods and in the Mid-Atlantic, New Hampshire/Maine, and Michigan.

As interest in modern contra, morris, and English country dancing grew starting in the 1970s, CDSS built connections and offered support to local groups, including newer groups on the West Coast. This outreach expanded CDSS membership throughout the US and Canada.

In 1987, the CDSS office moved from New York City to western Massachusetts and established a mail-order store to distribute books and instructional materials, recordings, and ritual dance supplies. 

In the early 2000s, the office modernized operations, incorporated non-profit best practices, and began a multi-year initiative to develop new leaders in programs, on staff, and on the board. The first CDSS website was published in 2009, and operations moved online, including newsletters, camp registration, programming, and the CDSS Store. In 2015, CDSS marked its centennial with celebrations in communities throughout the US and Canada, artist residencies in seven communities, and a major capital campaign.

In recent years, the organization has responded to the changing needs of the community, forming task groups to support educators, pilot a regional ambassador project, organize our archives, and share resources on community safety in local communities.

In 2018, CDSS began transitioning from an office-based organization to a remote team with employees across the continent. In 2020, CDSS convened a task group and an external advisory group to address cultural equity issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CDSS offered online workshops and web chats that were an important source of information for individuals and groups. In 2022, CDSS redesigned its website to provide better access to resources and publicize dance activities throughout the US and Canada. In 2023, CDSS adopted a new five-year strategic plan to support generational transitions in member communities and the living traditions that continue to grow and evolve.

Prepared by the CDSS Cultural Equity History Working Group, composed of board and community members. Last updated: August 2024.