Anne Grimes

Anne Grimes (May 17, 1912 – January 14, 2004) was an American journalist, musician and historian of American (specifically Midwestern) folklore. An Ohio folksinger, she collected and performed traditional songs now preserved in the Anne Grimes Collection in the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. She also collected vintage dulcimers and other instruments now housed in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., in 1997. Grimes was a classically trained vocalist and accomplished pianist among other musical pursuits.

Early life Anne Grimes was born May 17, 1912, in Columbus, Ohio. Her father, Clarence D. Laylin was an active Columbus corporate lawyer and law professor at Ohio State University. His father, Lewis Cass Laylin, was assistant secretary of the interior under presidents William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson, as well as Ohio Secretary of State and Speaker of the Legislature. Her mother, served as a trustee of Ohio Wesleyan University. Grimes received and Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of music degree from Ohio Wesleyan. At Ohio State University, she began graduate work in music history and theory with a specialization in piano and voice although she did not complete her studies.

Grimes was married to Dr. James W. Grimes, a professor of art at Ohio State University, Columbus; he took over as chairman of the Denison University Art Department in 1962. He designed the costumes Grimes wore for presentations based on the outfits of Ohio pioneer women as well as assist with recording. Between 1942 and 1946 Grimes worked as a critic for the Columbus Citizen covering music and dance performances; during this time she also hosted a weekly radio program on WOSU radio. The Smithsonian re-released the album in 1991. Her daughters—Sara Grimes, Jennifer Grimes Kay, Mary Grimes, and Mindy Grimes compiled and edited her book, Stories from the Anne Grimes Collection of American Folk Music, that was published in 2010 by the Ohio University Press. The book included a CD with 33 recordings from the Anne Grimes Collection in the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress.

Memberships and legacy Memberships President and editor of the Ohio Folklore Society re-issued, 1991 by the Smithsonian Book: Stories from the Anne Grimes Collection of American Folk Music. Published by Ohio University Press, 2010. The Anne Grimes Collection of Ohio Folk Music is preserved in the Library of Congress and includes recordings, photographs, articles, manuscripts, and publications. Some of her recording collection is also housed with the Ohio Historical Society.