The Motto Sheet Music Collection

I had the opportunity to visit the Motto Sheet Music Collection at the Fayetteville (NY) Free Library. The collection was donated by the late Lucy Motto in memory of her husband, and my great uncle, Vincent, who, by the way, was one of the nicest men you could ever meet. 

The collection includes over 35,000 sheets of popular American songs from the last 150 years. It also includes 900 music and reference books, CDs and DVDs as well as fascinating letters and memorabilia. Uncle Vinny compiled, and meticulously catalogued the collection over a 30-year period following his singing career with Utica and Syracuse bands. 

The sheet music presents a chronological picture of America from the Civil War through the 1980's. The collection includes songs by Stephen Foster, political campaign songs, the treasures of Tin Pan Alley, Broadway and Hollywood shows, Big Band arrangements, songs of the common man, and musical protest songs of the 1960's and 1970's. Anyone who is interested in this collection can email mottomusic@fflib.org 

L to R: Roberta Hampson (curator), Mom and me

Vincent Motto