Sharing Four Decades of Live Recordings from The Ark

Sharing Four Decades of Live Recordings from The Ark

From a humble house concert series to one of the most iconic folk venues in the world, The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan has been a cornerstone of folk music’s evolution. For four decades, long-serving manager Dave Siglin recorded over 1,600 live performances on analog tape—capturing legends like Elizabeth Cotten, John Prine, Odetta, and Rev. Gary Davis in raw, intimate form. 

These recordings, now the focus of a collaboration between the Siglin Music Preservation Fund and the University of Michigan, represent not only a treasure trove of music history but also the challenges and triumphs of community-led archival work. University of Michigan professor Paul Conway will share insight into what it takes to bring legacy recordings into the digital age, including the preservation process, navigating permissions, engaging diverse student researchers and partners, and exploring an innovative 3-D virtual reality application that enables visitors to navigate the original Ark on Hill Street. 

This presentation intersects memory, music, and community, showing how grassroots efforts can protect and elevate folk history for future generations!