Appalachian Dulcimer: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This Appalachian dulcimer was made by an unknown maker in Clendenin, West Virginia between 1848 and 1855. It has two bouts, four strings (two melody strings and two drone strings), 17 metal frets, 4 sets of three-circle sound holes, 4 wooden friction pegs, and a rounded head with center hole. This dulcimer was previously owned and used by Charles Hammack, a preacher in Clendenin.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date made: 1848 - 1855
• user: Hammack, Charles
• Object Name: dulcimer
• Physical Description: wood (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 13 1/2 in x 2 3/4 in x 1 1/2 in; 34.29 cm x 6.985 cm x 3.81 cm
• place made: United States: West Virginia, Clendenin
• ID Number: MI.65.0175
• catalog number: 65.0175
• accession number: 256310
• Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Gloria M. Hammack
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.