Series 30895
Department of Cultural and Community Engagement. Division of Arts and Museums. Folk Arts Program Polynesian Project research records, 1980-1986.
1.35 cubic feet
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
See history of the records' creator.
Summary of Records
Scope and Content
This project began with an in-depth focus on Polynesian quilts and then expanded to other crafts, material culture and foodways. Anthropologist Joyce Hammond was hired as a contract fieldworker. She documented crafts in artist's homes and during a documentation event held at the Glendinning Gallery. A major exhibit of Polynesian Quilts was mounted at the Utah Museum of Natural History. A video titled "Keeping Up Traditions" was produced by the Folk Arts Program. Some aspects of the projects were supported by a grant from the Utah Endowment for the Humanities. Series includes recordings of oral histories of Polynesian groups in Utah, interviews in the Tongan language, documentation of a Tongan wedding, and recordings of Polynesian dance music. Also included are fieldwork notes, and newspaper clippings about Polynesian communities in Utah.
Materials in this series were assigned a project number by the Folk Arts Program, consisting of a three-letter code, creation year, a letter indicating format, and the numerical order of the materials.
Arrangement
Generally by format, thereunder usually by assigned project number.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Use Restrictions
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Custody History
This collection came into the custody of the Utah State Archives and Records Service in 2010 as part of a massive transfer of records from the Folk Arts Program. In 2023 staff from the Folk Arts Program collaborated with the State Archives to bring better intellectual and physical control over that unaccessioned collection.
Acquisition Information
These records were acquired from the creating agency through established retention schedules.
Processing Information
Archival processing of this collection was done by Elizabeth Setterberg from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums and Carlton Jemmett of the Division of Archives and Records Service between June 2023 and July 2025.
Additional processing of this series was done by Katie McGirt between March and September of 2026.
Indexing Terms
Container List
| Box | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Various materials related to Polynesian Project including black and white photos, DVD, VHS, three Kini Kini reels, CD and cassette tapes ranging from T-0041 - T-0185, and colored photo slides ranging from POL-80-S-0001 - POL-86-S-0002). |
| 2 | Manila folders with various information about Polynesian communities in Utah. Includes newspaper clippings about celebrations, music, and dance, and articles related to research on communities. Includes documents (fieldwork notes, Tongan video/UEH grant notes, Joyce Hammond notes) |