Frances Perry

This clip is from a 1986 interview with Frances Perry of Black River Falls. Perry, who was 89 years old at the time of this recording, had been the town librarian for many years. She had also worked as a rural school teacher and had a lifelong interest in regional history and folklore. In 1946, the Library of Congress recorded Perry singing “The Cranberry Song” and “On the Lakes of Ponchartrain.” Those songs are included on Folk Music of Wisconsin, a CD of Library of Congress recordings. She also introduced Wisconsin ethnographer Helene Stratmann-Thomas to Ho Chunk singer Mountain Wolf Woman (a.k.a. Stella Stacy).