The Square Dance is an American institution. It began in New England with the first settlers and immigrant groups that followed, who brought their various national dances, which were the popular dances of the day in the countries of their origin - the Schottische, the Quadrille, the Irish Jigs and Reels and the Minuet, etc.  These forms are now considered folk dances.  After a long work week of building homes and clearing fields out of virgin forest, the settlers would mingle in the gathering place on Saturday evenings to enjoy dancing their old-world favorites. It was a bonding activity.  As communities grew and people intermingled, so did their dances. As the repertoire increased, it became increasingly difficult for the average person to remember the variety of movements.

In almost any group, however, there would be some bright, outgoing, life-of-the-party type, with a knack for remembering the dance figures. With typical Colonial ingenuity, the settlers let this person cue or prompt them in case they forgot what came next.  In due course, the prompter (or figure caller) acquired a repertoire of various colorful sayings or patter that he could mix with the cues.  Often he would learn the dances of other communities and teach them to the group. Some of these men developed dances and routines of their own, including dances for groups of four couples. This is how Square-dancing and its director (or caller) developed.

As the population spread to the Southwest, so did the dances. Lacking the organized recreation of today, the hard working Pioneers felt a need for an activity that would provide recreation as well as social & courting contact with neighbors.  Dancing filled this need.  The only requirements were a wooden floor, music and a Caller. A barn, living room, town hall or, in later years, the grange mill provided a place. A Caller was not always a basic requirement.  If one was around, fine; if not, they did dances they remembered or someone in the group would prompt.  As far as music was concerned,  there was no shortage of guitar, fiddle & accordion players.

The nation soon became more sophisticated, growing trade brought to our shores new fashions, music, and dances from other cultures.  New dances became trendy, and Square-dancing was displaced in growing cities.  It survived only in isolated regions- each of which had an individual style. In time, differences among the regional dances became so pronounced that dancing outside one's own area was nearly impossible. Square-dancing seemed destined for extinction...

Thankfully, in the early 1930's, Henry Ford developed an interest in the revival of Square-dancing as part of an early New England restoration project.  His efforts captured the interest of others who modernized the activity a bit so it would appeal to contemporary America- while retaining its basic flavor.  Times were hard and ladies dance skirts were shortened to save money on fabric.   Square Dance groups began to form. By 1948, Square-dancing was a fad, but  would it be short-lived?  As people rediscovered the activity, they were determined to retain and pass it on to new generations. In the process of revival, live Hillbilly fiddle music was replaced by high-fidelity recordings- which delivered a modern sound. The nasal-voiced, almost unintelligible caller was replaced with an articulate professional assisted by a microphone. The washboard and little brown jug disappeared from the scene and Square-dancing migrated to the cities. Name tags, worn by dancers, put everyone on a first-name basis and thereby created easy introductions and good fellowship.  Square-dancing regained its old appeal in modern settings, spreading across the nation.  It's estimated that this wholesome recreation is enjoyed by millions of Americans and countless others around the world today.  Wherever Americans have gone - they have introduced Square-dancing and it has been well received.

Any activity is an inviting target of commercialism & corruption, but Square Dance is a cooperative activity.  The dancers and their leaders vigilantly work to keep a grass-roots approach.  Far from being lame or boring, modern western-style Square-dancing is vibrant and growing! New figures are introduced yearly, insuring that Square-dancing will not get into a rut. Once Basic calls are learned, Square-dancing is easy & enjoyable.  The activity is enjoyed by young, old and disabled.  All that is needed is a familiarity with basic figures or movements, which are called in various combinations on the dance floor.  Knowledge and practice of the dance movements are best obtained through instruction given in a series of weekly sessions called beginners classes.

Having learned to Square Dance, new dancers find themselves part of a brand new culture.   Because of standardized figures, they can dance throughout the US and other countries.   However, the average dancer remains in the "Mainstream" levels of Square-dancing for only 4-5 years.  So "Plus" & "Challenge" levels of Square-dancing were developed.  These additional levels of the dance retains the interest of many dancers and extends their dancing years.