Alice Lee Bourne papers, 1959-1971, undated

Summary

Abstract:
This collection documents the activities of Alice Lee Bourne, a professional harpist from Lyons, New York. This collection documents the activities of Alice Lee Bourne, a professional harpist from Lyons, New York. While it is clear that she toured earlier in her life, these materials date from a period when she was mostly performing regionally across western and central New York. The dateable materials are from 1959 to 1992, but some undated items (including photographs of her parents) are clearly considerably older. The materials include a scrapbook, postcards, photographs, and documents.
Extent:
0.09 Cubic Feet 1 scrapbook, loose materials and .12 Cubic Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Alice Lee Bourne Papers. [box 1,folder # or volume #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents the activities of Alice Lee Bourne, a professional harpist from Lyons, New York. While it is clear that she toured earlier in her life, these materials date from a period when she was mostly performing regionally across western and central New York.The materials document her concerts, her promotional work and he travels. The dateable materials are from 1959 to 1992, but some undated items (including photographs of her parents) are clearly considerably older. The materials include a scrapbook, postcards, photographs, and documents.

Biographical / historical:

Alice Lee Bourne was born on June 22, 1902 to William and S. E. Bourne of Lyons, New York. Her father inherited a harp when she was 7 years old, which inspired him to have his daughter study nthe instrument. While Alice Lee Bourne recalled later in life that this first harp was in such poor condition that it had to burned as firewood, her father bought a playable instrument for her to use in lessons starting at age 10 in fourth grade. She became a proficient performer on the instrument and started a career as a touring performer of dinner music on the harp. She also married Glenn H. Longrod of Lyons on January 1, 1936. By the time of the materials in this collection, Alice Lee Bourne ahd largely left the touring world to focus on performing regionally. She played in numerous recitals around central and western New York in the 1960s and 1970s. She also promoted the instrument to children, noting in a 1970 article that she 7,688 miles the previous year to perform in schools in the Appalachian parts of Pennsylvania. He goal was to introduce students to an instrument they otherwise would not have heard. Materials in the collection show that she stayed active in the regional music scene into at least the 1980s. Alice Lee Bourne passed away in Rochester, New York on February 29, 2000.

Acquisition information:
These materials arrived in a box addressed "To Local History" through inter-library mail. No donor information or information telling us which library accepted the materials could be found.
Arrangement:

This collection consists of a single box.

Physical description:
Papers and photographs in excellent condition. Scrapbook contents good, but the book itself is severely deteriorated, pages very weak and binding failed.
Dimensions:
13 x 12 x 2 inches
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Concert programs.
Places:
Harp.
Lyons (N.Y.)

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Preferred citation:

Alice Lee Bourne Papers. [box 1,folder # or volume #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org