Joe Hickerson didn't just document American folk music. He shaped it

By Sarah Handel,

Kathryn Fink

Published August 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM EDT

Library of Congress archivist Joe Hickerson has died at 89. For decades, he worked to preserve America's collection of folk music and served as director of the library's American Folklife Center.

Sarah Handel

Kathryn Fink

Kathryn Fink is a producer with NPR's All Things Considered.

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