Miscellaneous Biographical Information: Including the official Will McLean biography press release, "Fact Sheet On Will McLean - Florida's Most Important Artist" press release, newspaper obituaries (1990), memorial brochures (1990), miscellaneous newspaper clippings, "The Eulogy for Will McLean" by fellow folk artist Gamble Rogers, lyrics to "The Ballad of Will McLean," cover art for THE WILL McLEAN SONG BOOK, various addresses (homes of Will McLean), May 28, 1955 marriage (to Alice E. Rossing - 2nd wife) certificates, transcripts of Donna Green-Townsend WUFT - FM Gainesville interviews (with folk performers Will McLean, Don Grooms, Thelma Boltin, Dale Crider, etc. ), letters and documents pertaining to legal and medical matters, WILL McLEAN FOUNDATION PURPOSE AND GOALS, list and description of songs composed by Will McLean, a thumb drive containing a collection of photographs from the WILL McLEAN FOUNDATION archives, etc.
Scope and Content
Spanning a period beginning with his genealogical roots in the late 19th Century and detailing the private and public life of "Florida's premier folklorist" from his birth until his passing in 1990, THE WILL McLEAN FLORIDA FOLK MUSIC COLLECTION consists of family history and photographs, handwritten song lyrics and poetry, promotional posters, handbills, brochures and programs, recordings (various formats), artifacts (his iconic black wool hat, harmonicas, a guitar, etc.) as well as correspondence between McLean and his family, musical collaborators and colleagues and his longtime companion and champion Margaret Mary Longhill. This fascinating research collection reveals a complicated, creative and eccentric activist who lived to sing the praises of his home and to bring attention to the history of Florida and the environmental damage that threatened the ecology of this beautiful and fragile landscape. The researcher will find a vast archive of primary source ephemera that chronicles the 20th Century Florida folk music world and the talented musical pioneers who paved the way for future artists who now entertain and inform at the many folk festivals across the state.
Dates
- Creation: 1885 - 2000
Creator
- From the Collection: McLean, Will, 1919-1990. (Person)
Access
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 15 Linear Feet (18 Boxes, 1 Guitar and case, and 2 Oversize Folders)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755
special@uflib.ufl.edu