Author: themuseumofamericana

Issue One contributor Dale Patterson has just posted a very interesting verse/art project called "Doubts Firm My Religion" at his website.  We've been through it a few times now, and we highly recommend it!    

Our second installment of American Songbook features Washington singer-songwriter Greg Dember and his former band CHIEFLY covering the traditional "Erie Canal." Originally titled "Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal" by its writer Thomas S. Allen in 1905, "Erie Canal" has been covered by Pete Seeger, the Weavers, The Kingston Trio, and Bruce Springsteen. Hear Greg's … Continue reading American Songbook: Greg Dember and CHIEFLY cover “Erie Canal”

Congratulations to Issue One contributor Christopher Martin, who is the featured poet in the current issue of Town Creek Poetry. The feature is impressive; it includes 15 poems, an essay on north Georgia poet Byron Herbert Reece, and an interview. We hope you'll click over and check it out!

Our latest feature is something we're calling "American Songbook." We plan to feature covers of American traditional songs and original songs that come out of that line of descent. The first featured musician is C.J. Opperthauser covering the folk song "Goodnight Irene," first made famous by Leadbelly and later covered by musicians as diverse as … Continue reading American Songbook: C.J. Opperthauser covers “Goodnight Irene”

Joyce Goldenstern discusses the background of her short story "A Brief History of Barbed-Wire and How It Affects and Does Not Affect the Life of Hannah Johnson Shoemaker." Barbed wire actually was invented in Dekalb, Illinois simultaneously by three separate inventors, so the historical background to this story is, for the most part, accurate – … Continue reading Contributor’s Notes: Joyce Goldenstern on “A Brief History of Barbed-Wire . . .” from Issue One

Dan Mancilla on the composition of his short story "The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery"  “The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery” is an adapted chapter from my novel-length manuscript The Deathmask of El Gaucho. The novel follows the career of the popular luchador, El Gaucho and follows the lives of Flaco and Anthony, two little boys who are among … Continue reading Contributor’s Notes: Dan Mancilla on “The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery”

Chelsey Clammer on the origins of her nonfiction piece "Infestation":  I wrote this piece as I was just moving into a small mountain town in order to concentrate on writing. The town—which has now turned into a casino town—is a place I have visited since I was a child. I have never known the history … Continue reading Contributor’s Notes: Chelsey Clammer on “Infestation” from Issue One

It's only natural for a journal about historical American culture to be deeply tied to music, and the the museum of americana is certainly proving to be no exception. No doubt because music is such an enormous part of our country's cultural DNA, much of the prose, poetry, and art we've published has direct or … Continue reading Issue One Playlist

Hey, everybody -- we just want to say thanks again for all the terrific submissions. We've been working hard to put together our lineup for opening day, and it looks like we've got it pretty close to settled. We may add a prose piece or two, but otherwise, how about this for first issue? Oh, … Continue reading Issue One Contents

Our first open reading period has been a huge success! Our hardworking editors have carefully read through/looked at hundreds of stories, poems, and photographs in the past month, and our first issue is beginning to take shape. We still have a few more decisions to make, but it's safe to say that our first issue … Continue reading Our First Reading Period is Now Closed; Issue One Coming Soon