As the Will McLean Music Festival nears, organizers are celebrating another major development cementing his legacy. In recent weeks the song lyrics, poems, recordings, correspondence and personal items from the late Will McLean (1919-1990) have been transferred to the University of Florida. McLean, known as the “Black Hat Troubadour,” is the first folk artist inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.
On behalf of the Will McLean Foundation I am thrilled to have Will McLean’s song lyrics, correspondence and personal artifacts such as his guitar, harmonica and black hat preserved in the Special Collections Area of the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries,” said Margaret Longhill, President Emeritus of the Will McLean Foundation.
Will McLean is considered to be the Father of Florida Folk. “Inspired by his travels with his grandfather, Will McLean captured the heart of Florida in his poetry and lyrics. As the late Pete Seeger once said, ‘Will’s songs will be sung as long as there is a Florida.’ Having Will’s special collection at the University of Florida will make it possible for a wide audience to research his materials,” said Longhill.
Curator of Popular Culture Collections in the Department of Special and Area Studies of the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida, Jim Liversidge, said UF is excited about the opportunity to celebrate the life and art of the “Black Hat Troubadour.”
“This extensive and colorful research collection of Will McLean’s personal ephemera, recordings and artifacts is now available to students and researchers who will have the opportunity to relive or discover the musical and poetic output of the “Father of Florida Folk,” said Liversidge.
The Will McLean Collection is housed at UF alongside the papers of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Zora Neale Hurston, John D. MacDonald and others in support of Florida history, popular culture and the performing arts.
“The George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida is proud to preserve and present the historic and culturally-important legacy of the state’s premier folk artist,” added Liversidge.
Meanwhile, festival goers and organizers are gearing up for the 29th Annual Will McLean Music Festival scheduled for March 9 – 11th at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Brooksville. The festival features multiple stages and acoustic instrument and vocal workshops for adults and youth throughout the weekend as well as activities for children, food and vendors featuring arts and crafts.