An American Ballroom Companion from the Library of Congress
This site offers a listing of  dance manuals from the 19th century; some of which are available in their entirety online. In addition, the Library of Congress offers videos of some dances and links to specific dance instructions here.

Hamilton Country Dancers
While 19th century ball dancing is not technically contra dancing, many of the figures are similar. This site offers a basic introduction to contra dancing.

Victorian Dance
This site provides pretty detailed information about several dances including set dances, the waltz, Virginia Reel, and the Grand March.

The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers
This site includes instructions for several different dances one might have done in a Civil War ballroom. It also includes a link to the Spare Parts website that includes some music samples.

Capering and Kickery
A blog for social dance historians, reconstructors, performers, social dancers, writers of historical fiction, and anyone else who wants solid, research-based information about historical social dance in Europe and America from the 15th through the early 20th centuries.

The German
A fun video of a Civil War Ball showing a dance parlor game.

The Leicestershire Victorian Dance Group
This group is based in England. They offer downloadable booklets with dance steps as well as videos showing several dances.

Victorian Dance Ensemble
The Ensemble is a group of living historians who share a love for the grace and beauty of mid-nineteenth century dancing. We are devoted to fostering an appreciation for the dance and social customs of the Civil War era by presenting demonstrations, classes, balls and other related programs. The site offers dance instruction and articles on Civil War era balls.

The 1860s Civilian Society of Georgia
A family-oriented group of gentlemen, ladies and children dedicated to vintage dance and to creating refined citizen impressions in the world of Civil War re-enacting and living history. Our goal is to resurrect mid-1800s dances no longer commonly done in the Southeast. The site also offers videos of different dances.

Social Dance Irregulars
This group includes other eras. Site includes video links.

Triangle Vintage Dance
Link to dance videos.