Vintage Baton Blog
The Vintage Baton Blog is the comprehensive collection of all posts on this site. A team manages the site. Consequently, we publish posts quite frequently. These include photo essays and single, iconic images; original interviews; memoirs; testimonials; tributes; memorials; obituaries and more. In addition, all posts have an overarching category, the link for which appears in the dateline of each post. At the end of each post are tags. These are much more specific to the post. For example, “1940s” is a category while “World War II” is a tag. Basically, users can explore content by clicking on various categories and tags. Have fun exploring!
Dorothy Jackson, Tuskegee Institute Crimson Piperette 1959, 1960, 1961
When the Piperettes Still Twirled: Remembering Dorothy Jackson of Tuskegee Institute Long before the bright sequins and high kicks of modern halftime shows, the women of the Tuskegee Institute Crimson Piperettes embodied a quieter kind of elegance, one defined by...
Gil Elvgren Baton Twirler, Circa 1955
Among the most iconic mid-century American pin-up artists, Gil Elvgren had a gift for turning everyday moments into playful, idealized snapshots of charm and confidence. His Baton Twirler from around 1955 captures that spirit perfectly: Equal parts showmanship and...
Marita Meola: The 1940s Army Dancer & Baton Twirler in a Real Photo Postcard
In the colorful landscape of mid-century American performance, few artifacts evoke as much mystery and charm as real photo postcards (RPPCs). One such image circulated from a Dallas estate bears the name Marita Meola, described as an Army dancer and baton twirler....
Ewing Galloway Majorette Photographs (1950s)
Ewing Galloway, a New York–based photo agent active in the early to mid-20th century, played a key role in shaping how Americans saw both modern culture and small-town traditions. Among the thousands of images distributed through his agency were photographs of drum...
Majorettes Outside VA Veterans Hospital Dayton Ohio (1946)
Tanzmariechens (German Majorettes) at Kehl Carnival (1967)
At the 1967 Kehl Carnival, the Tanzmariechen majorettes led the procession with salutes and high kicks, embodying Rhineland guard tradition. In sequined tunics, white gloves, and feathered shakos, they stepped smartly along the Rhine, twirling batons in tight...
Snuffy’s Fire Brigade: School Film Features Twirlers (1977)
This school film from 1977 features baton twirlers marching in a staged parade. They appear at the very end near 13:07. https://youtu.be/9YOf8FHOIXU?feature=shared
Lincoln School Majorettes
Lincoln School Majorettes including Jeanne and Liz Logan, Springfield, Missouri, 1954. Lincoln School Majorettes, 1953 Lincoln School Marching Band, 1953 Lincoln School Marching Band, 1949 Lincoln School Marching Band,...
Chinese Moon Festival, 1941
The Chinese Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, featured majorettes marching in the Moon Festival Parade, August 1941. The festival was reportedly held in Hollywood or L.A's Chinatown or both. It was one of the first fundraisers for United China...
Davey the Majorette, 1938
Davey (or possibly "Hazelwood") was photographed with her baton, cape and Garrison hat by Los Angeles studio photographer Dick Whittington in 1938. A client's name on the envelope holding the black and white negative was noted "Miss Hazelwood Park." Sounds more like...
1940s Majorette Pictures at Menard & Tabery
These photos of 1940s majorettes were taken by Dick Whittington at Menard and Tabery, a home improvement store in Los Angeles. It appears they were form different schools and/or colleges and were part of a holiday promotional shoot. Source: Los Angeles County Public...
Diane Remy Baton Twirlers – Sheboygan, Wisconsin (1981)
Students from the Diane Remy School of Dance and Baton stand in front of a wood-paneled station wagon before the Memorial Day Parade, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, 1981. Diane Remy (1938-2024) Obituary Diana Veronica Remy (Diane Remy), age 85, passed away at her home on May...
Grambling State Bayou Classic, 1989
Check out this wonderful footage featuring Grambling State University twirlers at the Bayou Classic, 1989. The majorettes twirl flags, batons and knives during their halftime performance. We compiled cuts of these performances and published it to music for our...
NFL Baton Twirlers Remembered (Detroit Lions)
In case you missed it, WXYZ Detroit aired a feature story on the Detroit Lions baton twirlers. Click here to read the story by reporter Christiana Ford. Twirlers made their debut in Tiger Stadium in 1957. According to Ford, they continued in some form through 2002....
Bicentennial-Era Majorette
These 1977 photos of a Bicentennial-Era majorette are reminiscent of 200th Birthday of the United States. As anyone who lived during that time knows, everything was red, white and blue. Even the fire hydrants across America were painted to look like Minutemen. If you...
Baton Twirler – Brookefield, Illinois (1950)
A baton twirler perfoms on a baseball diamond at the Kiwanis Park in Brookefiled, Illinois. The year was 1950. She was not identified by the curator. Posted with permission. Source: Brookefiled Historical Society Here is another archive from the Brookefield Historical...
Fairy Tale Parade | Portland, Oregon (November 1958)
Judy Elsenbach was a majorette at Franklink High School, Portland Oregon. On November 28, 1958, she marched in the Fairy Tale Parade. Baton high over head she wore ear muffs and fur-trimmed boots and skirt. Nancy Gilbertson wore a Frosty the Snowman costume as she...
Hollywood Santa Claus Christmas Parade
A majorette sporting a band hat with a large plume marches in the Hollywood Santa Claus Christmas Parade. Exact date is unknown, but it appears the photo was taken during the 1960s. It is part of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection.