History
Western States Folklore Society (formerly California Folklore Society), was founded in 1941. Today, the Society is committed to the study of regional, national, and international folklore in all its aspects.
1905
1941
1942
1947
1978
2004
2005
First issue of the California Folklore Quarterly, edited by Gustave O. Arlt and Archer Taylor, was published.
Berkeley Folklore Club established.
The Archer Taylor Memorial Lecture series established by Wayland D. Hand.
The first website for the Western States Folklore Society debuted.
California Folklore Society co-founded by Wayland D. Hand and Archer Taylor.
The journal’s context was expanded, leading to the renaming of California Folklore Quarterly to Western Folklore, the name it bears today.
The California Folklore Society was formally changed in name to the Western States Folklore Society.
Further information about the history of Western States Folklore Society can be found in the following articles:
These images [this PDF] are of the first ever publication of California Folklore Quarterly, which later became Western Folklore. Published in 1942, this short article sets the groundwork of establishing a new folklore-centered journal by asking the big questions: what is folklore and what do folklorists do? It also provides further context for the study of folklore in California specifically, and that the publication will occur on a quarterly basis.
About the Western States Folklore Society
Mission Statement
Western States Folklore Society is committed to promoting greater knowledge of the diverse range of folklore and folklife by fostering the study of cultural traditions in the Western United States and throughout the world.
Strategic Plan
The Society will aim to accomplish its mission through:
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Connecting scholars and scholarship around the world, to help promote an engaged and active discipline
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Convening regular conferences in the western states of the United States in order to foster dialogue and collaboration among various individuals and groups working in the area of folklore and folklife, both academic and public
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Collaborating with regional, national, and international organizations, scholars, and programs devoted to folklore and folk cultures
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Encouraging and supporting the participation of a broad and inclusive diversity of folklore scholars and scholarship, including diversity in research areas and interests; career levels; and identities such as ethnic/racial, national, religious, gender, sex, abledness, economic, etc.
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Providing expertise, through our membership to news outlets, media sources, and the general public, to help increase more public recognition of folklore and folklore studies
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Encouraging, mentoring, and supporting younger scholars in the field
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Publishing the Society's journal, Western Folklore, which is global in scope and readership.
By-Laws
Amended July 31, 2004
Board Members
Dr. Lisa Gabbert
PRESIDENT
Lisa Gabbert is Professor of Folklore Studies and Director of the Folklore Program at Utah State University. Her research interests…
Solimar Otero
VICE PRESIDENT
Solimar Otero is the Director of the Latino Studies Program, and Professor of Folklore and Gender Studies at Indiana University,…
Raymond Summerville
VICE PRESIDENT
Raymond Summerville has taught a number of courses including: folklore, ethnographic writing, and African-American literature. His research interests include: blues,…
Anthony Buccitelli
TREASURER
Anthony Bak Buccitelli is Interim Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, Associate Professor of American Studies and Communications, and Director of…
Sandra Mizumoto Posey
SECRETARY
Sandra Mizumoto Posey earned her Ph.D. in Folklore & Mythology from UCLA and is currently a Professor in the Gender…
Guillermo de los Reyes
DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Dr. Guillermo De Los Reyes is Associate Professor and Chair of Hispanic Studies at the University of Houston, where he…
Jared Schmidt
DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Melanie Kimball
STUDENT VICE PRESIDENT, Utah State University
Melanie Kimball is a current PhD student in Indiana University’s folklore program. She holds an MA in folklore studies from…
Garima Palwat
STUDENT VICE PRESIDENT, Indiana University
Garima Plawat is pursuing her doctoral studies at Indiana University Bloomington’s Folklore and Ethnomusicology department. She works at the intersection…
Publication Editors
Timothy Thurston
PUBLICATION EDITOR
Dr. Tim Thurston is an Associate Professor in the Study of Contemporary China at the University of Leeds. He is…
Dr. Afsane Rezaei
REVIEW EDITOR
Dr. Rezaei is an assistant professor of English who has been at Utah State University since 2020. Her research addresses…
Managing Members
Dr. Paul Jordan-Smith
BUSINESS MANAGER
Dr. Jordan-Smith holds a BA in Philosophy from San Francisco State College (now University), and a Master’s in Library Science…
Daisy Ahlstone
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Daisy Ahlstone holds a PhD in Comparative Studies from Ohio State University and is a folklorist, digital community leader, legend…