As part of a long term project underway to document the return of the accordion, we learned about an extraordinary place where literally millions of pieces of Americana have been preserved. At the American Folklife Center, inside the Library of Congress. The culture, traditions, music and artwork of America have found a permanent home.

Senior Folklife Specialist Jennifer Cutting took us deep into “the stacks” — the archives — to find some of the early research on the accordion and it’s wonderful impact on our musical traditions. Who knew the accordion — once the butt of jokes — would become a prominent part of the collection? And in Washington D.C., one instrument in particular helps tell the story of every day Americans saving our past. An accordion nearly lost to time — comes back to life. And as a bonus there is nothing like hearing the sounds of Jennifer’s accordion music bouncing down the marble hallways of this historic old building.