This Appalachian dulcimer was made by an unknown maker in the United States, undetermined date. It is a double-bout dulcimer painted black, with a wooden nut and bridge, 17 frets, 4 heart-shaped sound holes, carved out pegbox with three wooden friction pegs, and a fluted head. This style of dulcimer is evocative of the Huntington, West Virginia tradition of dulcimer making.

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.