Godfrey Daniels Archives [In progress]

The Godfrey Daniels Archives at Lehigh University documents the rich history of this iconic venue through a diverse collection of materials, including concert recordings, photographs, promotional materials, correspondence, and administrative records. These archival materials provide valuable insight into the cultural and musical heritage of the Lehigh Valley, as well as the broader evolution of folk and acoustic music in the United States.

This collection of 907 audio-visual recordings, created to document performances presented at the folk music venue Godfrey Daniels, was donated to Lehigh University’s Special Collections by the club’s founder Dave Fry between 2014 and 2018. Fry, a Lehigh alumnus, and Cindy Dinsmore established Godfrey Daniels in 1976. The club grew from a little known venue for live folk music to a destination on the international “folk circuit” that serves as a community resource presenting workshops, story telling, and open mike sessions. In 1978 Godfrey Daniels became a nonprofit corporation. Performances and other community events occur in a sociable and spontaneous environment.