New Jersey Folklore Society
Academic society promoting New Jersey folklore through trips and publications.
The New Jersey Folklore Society was founded in 1944, pushed into existence by the New Jersey Council at Rutgers University. Its goal was to get people more interested in folklore. Within a few months, it had linked up with the American Folklore Society as an official chapter. Members gathered once a month at spots all over the state, and every year they put out a publication filled with New Jersey myths and legends. The group wrote up a constitution and chose its first officers, with Henry Charlton Beck taking the lead. Beck was a minister and scholar who also worked as an editor at the *Camden Courier-Post* and a writer for the *Newark Star-Ledger*. At its height, the society had about fifty members. Beck stayed in charge until the organization became inactive around 1950. It later came back to life in the 1980s.
- formed
- 1944
- disbanded
- became inactive around 1950 (first iteration); revived 1980s
Lore & Background
The New Jersey Folklore Society was founded in 1944 at the behest of the New Jersey Council at Rutgers University. During its first few months, it became a chapter of the American Folklore Society. The society met monthly in various locations across the state and produced a yearly publication focusing on New Jersey myths and legends. The organization drafted a constitution and elected Henry Charlton Beck as its first leader. Beck, a minister and scholar already ordained before his involvement with the society, worked as an editor for the Camden Courier-Post and writer for the Newark Star-Ledger. At its peak, the society had roughly fifty members. Beck led the society until it became inactive around 1950. The society was revived and returned to activity in the 1980s.
Reader's Guide
The New Jersey Folklore Society played a role in documenting and disseminating regional folklore through its yearly publication and field trips. Its affiliation with the American Folklore Society lent it credibility within academic circles. The society's publications included collections of old songs and ballads from towns surrounding the Ramapo Mountains and other topics. After its revival in the 1980s, the society focused on producing larger articles and pamphlets covering a broader range of topics. These articles, all titled New Jersey Folklife, were presented to the New Jersey Folk Festival each year until 1991. The society's legacy lies in its efforts to preserve and promote New Jersey's folk traditions, though its early period was brief, lasting only from 1945 to 1950 before being revived decades later.
Did You Know?
- The society was founded in 1944 at the behest of the New Jersey Council at Rutgers University.
- Its first leader, Henry Charlton Beck, was a minister and scholar who worked as an editor for the Camden Courier-Post and writer for the Newark Star-Ledger.
- The society became inactive around 1950, then was revived and returned to activity in the 1980s.
- After its revival, the society produced a publication called New Jersey Folklife.
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