T.J. Farr papers

Collection

Identifier: RG-0000-0059

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The materials primarily date from 1926 to 1961, with the bulk of materials dating from 1935. The collection consists of two series, “Publications” and “Central Files.”

The “Publications” series contains publications from the Tennessee Folklore Society from his time as a member, as well as the many active roles he took part in in his lifetime, dated from 1935 to 1961. It also contains issues of “Southern Folklore Quarterly” from 1937 to 1942, along with other folklore publications from around the region.

The second series, “Central Files,” contains information regarding the Tennessee Folklore Society and its correspondences, membership directories, and their constitution. The rest of the series is made up of folklores he collected from students in his history class, and from other sources who wrote to him. The folklores cover many different topics, divided by folder, and include riddles, ghost stories, superstitions on dreams, and folk remedies. Along with folklores, there are also articles on the role of folklores in teaching and how to incorporate them effectively. There is also an article he wrote on folklore for the Dictionary of Folklore Mythology and Legend in 1949 in the series.

Farr also collected folk music in his life time, from various people, including his students and newspapers. There are also some photographs taken by Farr and a personal list of quotations, along with a memorandum regarding plans and ceremony for the 25th anniversary of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute. There is a clipping regarding the founding of Kingston, Tennessee and advertisements for folk dances of the Caney Fork Valley event.

Dates

1926 - 1961

Biographical / Historical

T.J. Farr (1902 - 1962) was a history professor at Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, within the College of Education. He was also chairperson of the English and Education Departments. His wife, Lottie Farr, also taught at Tennessee Tech and both were Emeriti Faculty of the University. Farr was heavily involved in the Tennessee Folklore Society, acting as their publications editor, treasurer, and president. He also collected different folk tales and songs from classes he taught from his students from assignments about the Cumberland region, and Tennessee in general.

Extent

5.5 Cubic Feet (11 legal document boxes. )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

T.J. Farr (1902-1962) was a history professor at Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, and was chairperson of the English and Education Departments. He was also involved with the Tennessee Folklore Society and gathered folklore from across the Upper Cumberland region, along with some East Tennessee Folklore. The materials primarily date from 1926 to 1961, with the bulk of materials dating from 1935. The materials consist of Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletins, correspondences, and membership materials; along with different folklores and superstitions he collected, and some personal attributes.