AUGUSTA GALLERY
 of WEST VIRGINIA FOLKLIFE 

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

 

 

 

 

Teardrop shaped dulcimer, early 20th century, by Amity White of Braxton County.
19th century fretless banjo, Greenbrier County.      (M289D)

 
A dulcimer made by Basil Blake, of Braxton County, circa 1930.
Guitar-like dulcimer from Raleigh County, Jim Costa collection.
The hourglass shape is the most common design of traditional dulcimers in West Virginia.       (M1093j)
A highly decorated dulcimer head stock of an old instrument found in Greenbriar County.
Another Greenbrier County instrument with carved headstock made by the maker of the instrument above.
This dulcimer belonged to Samuel Johnston of Greenbrier County.  He played fiddle tunes with a feather and hymns with a bow by sitting in front of a window and propping the headstock on the window sill.
An unusually designed Kanawha County instrument circa 1930, Jim Costa collection.
A Clay County dulcimer, made by Lester McKinny of Enoch, West Virginia, early 20th century.
Until recently, almost all dulcimers were homemade.  They exhibit the "made do" philosophy as seen in local woods, fence wire frets, and other recycled objects           (m1093em-33)
This unusually large "boat shaped" instrument, found in Hardy County, could be an important link in the evolution of the Appalachian dulcimer.   (m1093mm-33
This instrument from Big Tyler Mountain, made about 1900, is a fine sounding, easily played dulcimer.     (m6d591h m-6)
Detail of Big Tyler Mountain instrument shown above.          (m6d59lmm-6)
Reva Fincham, a traditional dulcimer player from Braxton County, descends from the large Blake family.  This family has made and played dulcimers since the early 20th century.
The tradition at one room schoolhouses was to bring musical instruments in on the last day of school.  Shown here  with instruments are several members of the Blake family of Braxton County.  (circa 1927)
This unusual strum hollow (like stairsteps) was the signature design feature of old dulcimer maker Henry Bryant of Nicholas County. 
A crude instrument, circa 1935, by Wayne Conrad of Braxton County.
Mel Given, of Braxton County, with a carved animistic headstock on a homemade fiddle.    (fa10000d)
A fine violin by second generation fiddle maker Dayton Howes of Upshur County.    (m1288g)