Square Dance Dress & Album "We do not grow too old to dance. We grow old because we
do not dance."
--Herb Greggerson, square dance caller, 1953 Areta Meyer loved to square dance. Living in Lone Star, Kansas, Areta and her husband were members of several Lawrence area square dance clubs in the 1950s and 60s. Clubs with names such as Merry Mixers, Bells & Bows, and Do-Sa-Do met Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Trips were planned to dance with clubs in Kansas City, Topeka, Salina, and Baldwin. Membership ranged from doctors to farmers and all were welcomed. According to Areta, social interaction was the primary motivation, but physical exercise and keeping her dancer's figure were an added bonus. Square dancing originated in New England and combined dances of various
immigrant ethnic groups. A "caller" was required to direct transitions
from one foreign dance to another. Square dancing requires four individuals
to dance as a group and is related to the French and English Quadrille.
Beginning in the 1930s, square dancing became a fad in American pop culture.
By the 1960s, clubs could be found throughout the U.S. Callers became national
celebrities as they toured the country
promoting their albums. In the 1950s and '60s, square dancing became more formal and costuming became an important element. Areta Meyer handmade this hot pink polyester square dance dress. The knee-length dress was worn with a black petticoat. According to Areta, the extra volume gave the dancer added balance. In 2002, Areta's son Rex Powell donated a collection of her square dancing items to the Kansas Museum of History, including the dress and record albums pictured here.
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