By Caroline J. White
Outreach Archivist & Public Services Coordinator
In November, friends and supporters of the Libraries, folk music, or both gathered for the University Libraries’ Annual Fall Reception in the Student Union Ballroom. “An Evening with Folk New England: A Tribute to Eric von Schmidt” featured Tom Rush, Chris Smither, Geoff Muldaur, and von Schmidt’s daughter Caitlin sharing songs and swapping stories before a rapt audience of 300. Highlighting the partnership of Folk New England and the Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center (SCUA), the event celebrated libraries and the arts and our shared missions of preserving and promoting cultural heritage. SCUA currently holds around a dozen distinct archival collections associated with Folk New England, including the papers of the organization’s founder Betsy Siggins, a key figure in the region’s folk revival of the 1960s who was present for the event.
Caitlin von Schmidt paid tribute to her late father by sharing stories and memories of him while a slide show played on the screen behind her. Click on photos below to enlarge.
The evening began with a reception, followed by welcoming remarks from Dean of University Libraries Curtis Brundy (right) and associate dean of SCUA Adam Ware (above). Folk New England’s chair of the board of directors, Jim Rooney, served as a de facto emcee, posthumously honoring former board chair Tom Curren, whose widow, Kathy Neustadt, paid heartfelt tribute to him, and presenting Tom Rush with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Several pieces of Eric von Schmidt’s artwork—paintings on paper and wood, album covers, even a guitar painted with the portrait of the blues musician Lead Belly (above)—were on loan from his daughter Caitlin for a one-night-only exhibit that guests could enjoy during the reception.
For the main event, Geoff Muldaur, Caitlin von Schmidt, Tom Rush, and Chris Smither (above, L to R), sat onstage in chairs, guitars on knees, and took turns singing and sharing memories and stories about Eric von Schmidt and his influence on them and on folk music.
The evening culminated in the entire audience joining in on “Wasn’t That a Mighty Storm,” a powerful reminder of how music can move us emotionally, point us toward empathy and justice, and bring us together.
View the event video: bit.ly/fne110725
