Archives West Finding Aid

The Gene Quaw collection consists of a autographed tribute album, some printed items, and 106 black and white photographs taken of Quaw, his band members, and friends in Yellowstone National Park, most of which are circa 1921-1922. The photographs are almost all informal snapshots of Yellowstone scenes and the outdoor performance stage at the Canyon Hotel where Quaw and his band performed with the "Canyon Hotel Follies" during the summer of 1922. Some photographs appear to have been taken much later, showing Quaw holding a copy of his score for Yellowstone which was not published until 1937. The autograph album was presented to Quaw in late 1951 after he had performed a special concert in Bozeman, Montana for many long-time residents, many of whom recalled his work in Yellowstone. Those who attended the concert put together the album which contains many tributes to Quaw as a musician and friend. Among the signers are Bozeman musician Louis Leo Howard and architect Fred F. Willson. The printed materials in the collection consist of a copy of Yellowstone, along with a mimeograph lyric sheet for the song dated March 4,1947, a business card for Quaw as pianist for the "Lone Star Trio" at Old Faithful Inn, and a program for a formal recital at Mammoth Hot Springs, September 11, 1921. The original hand carved wooden cover for the autographed tribute album has been retained with the collection.