Appalachian Dulcimer: Museum Object and Cultural History
Appalachian Dulcimer: Object Name: dulcimer. Physical Description: wood (overall material). Measurements: overall: 2 9/16 in x 7 7/8 in x 33 7/16 in; 6.50875 cm x 20.0025 cm x 84.93125 cm.
The object in the museum catalogue
This Appalachian dulcimer was made by an unknown maker possibly in Gallia County/Huntington Township, undetermined date. It is a double-bout dulcimer, with a painted fretboard with 17 metal frets, 4 three-hole sound holes, carved out pegbox for 4 friction pegs (2 extant), and a violin-like carved head.
Anne Grimes (1912-2004) was an American journalist, musician, and historian of American (particularly Midwestern) folklore. Grimes studied voice and piano at Ohio Wesleyan and initiated graduate studies at Ohio State University. Following her education, Grimes was a music teacher, music and dance critic, and radio host. After WWII, Grimes began collecting and documenting folk songs throughout Ohio, as well as collecting Appalachian dulcimers and zithers. She would continue this work, performing, recording, and lecturing on instruments from her collection throughout the rest of her career.
Materials, dates and provenance
- Object Name: dulcimer
- Physical Description: wood (overall material)
- Measurements: overall: 2 9/16 in x 7 7/8 in x 33 7/16 in; 6.50875 cm x 20.0025 cm x 84.93125 cm
- place made: United States
- ID Number: 1996.0276.24
- accession number: 1996.0276
- catalog number: 1996.0276.24
- collector/donor number: E47
- Data Source: National Museum of American History
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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.
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