Sarah Gertrude Knott

This Princeton, Kentucky native, served as the National Folk Festival Association president from its founding in 1934 until 1970. The group’s annual festival featured indigenous American and ethnic song and dance. The NFFA later changed its name to the National Council for Traditional Arts.

Her life and the organization’s papers are woven together in a collection of festival correspondence, radio scripts, programs, news clippings, membership lists, and by-laws. Within the 30 cubic feet of materials, the first 40 annual festivals are documented. Insights into the organization are provided by Knott and second NFFA president, Leonard Roberts through two book manuscripts.