curated history

Research Notes: Ruby & John Avery Lomax

| khattakstudios

Ruby Terrill Lomax and John Avery Lomax produced folklife documentary work that comes up a lot when I am researching East Texas History. Along with her husband John Avery Lomax, Texas folklorist Ruby Terrill Lomax traveled the state and other Southern regions for the 1939 Southern States Recording Trip. The Lomax’s multi-genre journey documented Southern folk musicians and their communities through sound recordings, photographs and other ephemera, and spends valuable time in communities of Color and documenting the creative contributions of incarcerated people. The collection’s primary home is in The American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Here are a few items of interest from the collection:

Disc Sleeve with Notes, American Folklife Center
The Angelina Four at Kelty’s Lumber Co., Lufkin, Texas, 1940 Ruby Lomax,
Library of Congress
Enka Square Dance Team dancing at the Mountain Music Festival, Asheville, North Carolina,
Ruby Lomax, Wikimedia Commons

The project’s recordings can be found here: Lomax Iconic Song List, Library of Congress

The Library of Congress also has the 300+ page Field Notes manuscript from this trip, which you can download for easier reading.

Research Notes: Russell Lee

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In researching East Texas history, one of my favorite and most valuable discoveries has been the work of photographer Russell Lee. He took iconic photos of Depression-era Lufkin, along with meaningful captures of elsewhere in the East Texas region and across Texas. I have used one of his photos, Railroad Gang in my artwork, and have more stacked up to use in the future. Many of his works are in the public domain, which is a gift for artists, writers and other creators who are inspired by it.

More information on the life and work of Russell Lee can be found in The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University in San Marcos, the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas – Austin, and the Library of Congress. Some of my favorite Russell Lee Texas photos are below. They were found in the Library of Congress, and are in the Public Domain.

After Dinner Coffee, Lufkin.

Blacksmith Heating Iron in Forge, Southern Paper Mill construction shed, Lufkin, Texas.

East Texas farm owner rolling up old barbed wire near Harleton, Texas.
Bank corner on main street. San Augustine, Texas

County superintendent of schools and her assistant. San Augustine, Texas