Music & Musical Instruments
The Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of 18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that belonged to Prince, to name only a few. Music collections also include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and recordings of performances at the museum. The vast Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated Sheet Music is a remarkable window into the American past in words, music, and visual imagery. The Duke Ellington and Ruth Ellington Boatwright collections contain handwritten music compositions, sound recordings, business records, and other materials documenting the career of this renowned musician. In various ways, our collections find expression in performances of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and in other public programs.
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Family Album 1910-1948
- Description (Brief)
- green bound album with gold writing on front cover and spine that reads "Family Album 1910-1948"; black paper pages; photograph album containing photos of kids, kids with toys, kids on bicycles, families on vacation, kids in a classroom, automobiles; Belonged to Patricia Anne Cohen, formerly actor Patricia English
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1910-1948
- ID Number
- 2017.0225.0001
- accession number
- 2017.0225
- catalog number
- 2017.0225.0001
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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“I Want to Be in Dixie”
- Description (Brief)
- This sheet music is for the song “I Want to Be in Dixie” that was written and composed by Irving Berlin and Ted Snyder. The song was published in 1912 by the Waterson, Berlin, & Snyder Company. The cover has an illustration of a man looking across a river at a low sun silhouetting a steam boat going down the river. The illustration is signed by Gene Buck in the lower left hand corner. The cover also features an inset photograph of Lillian Jeanette in the lower right, who would have performed the song in her routine.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1912
- composer
- Berlin, Irving
- Snyder, Ted
- publisher
- Ted Snyder Co.
- ID Number
- 1983.0424.075
- accession number
- 1983.0424
- catalog number
- 1983.0424.075
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Violano Virtuoso Roll #2846
- Description (Brief)
This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1928-1929. It is Roll #2846, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player. The tune list for this roll is as follows:
Roll #2846 - Record Breaking Dance Tunes
14077: Rose of Yesterday (fox trot), Irving Berlin, copyright 1928, Irving Berlin
14078: You Took Advantage of Me from "Present Arms" (fox trot), Fields, Hart & Rodgers, copyright 1928, Harms, Inc.
14079: Out of the Tempest (waltz), Edward Grossman & Ted Ward, copyright 1928, Harms, Inc.
14080: Sonny Boy (fox trot), Al Jolson, De Sylva, Brown & Henderson, copyright 1928, De Sylva, Brown & Henderson)
14081: What D'ya Say from "George White's Scandals" (fox trot), De Sylva, Brown & Henderson, copyright 1928, De Sylva, Brown & Henderson- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1928-1929
- maker
- Mills Novelty Company
- ID Number
- MI.73.20
- accession number
- 289515
- catalog number
- 73.20
- maker number
- 2846
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Fry Me Cookie, With a Can of Lard; Chicken Gunboog(ie)
- Description
Will Bradley and his Orchestra deaturing Ray McKinley. side 1: Fry Me a Cookie, With a Can of Lard; side 2: Chicken Gumboog(ie) (Columbia 36959), from the album, Will Bradley and his Orchestra featuring Ray McKinley, (Columbia C-123).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1941 and released on Columbia 36719. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1941 and released on Columbia 35939.The album art and design was created by George Howard Maas (1910-1998), an American commercial artist, graphic artist and designer, and art director. Originally from Kansas City, Maas studied at the University of Kansas at Lawrence. In 1939, he was employed as a painter in the WPA (Works Project Administration). By the early 1940s, Maas had moved to New York City where he continued his career with much success creating cover art for albums, book design and illustrations, and poster art.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- recording date
- 1941
- release date
- 1947
- recording artist
- McKinley, Ray
- Will Bradley and his Orchestra
- manufacturer
- Columbia
- ID Number
- 1981.0566.189
- maker number
- C-123
- 36959
- accession number
- 1981.0566
- catalog number
- 1981.0566.189
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Kaval Flute
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- ID Number
- MI.095672
- accession number
- 27843
- catalog number
- 95672
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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“Red River Valley”
- Description (Brief)
- This sheet music is for the song “Red River Valley” that was written and composed by Richard Hakins. The sheet music was published by Joe Davis Inc. of New York City in 1930. The plain white cover calls the tune a “novelty song.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1930
- publisher
- Joe Davis, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1983.0424.046
- accession number
- 1983.0424
- catalog number
- 1983.0424.046
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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The Army's Made a Man Out of Me; I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep
- Description
side1: Staff Sgt. Ezra Stone, Cpl. Phillip Truex, and Pvt. Julie Oshens. The Army's Made a Man Out of Me; side 2: Pvt. Stuart Churchill and Soldier Octet. I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep (Decca 18475), from the album, Irving Berlin's All Soldier Show: This Is the Army (Decca A-340).
78 rpmThis album is from the Broadway musical This Is the Army, with book by James McColl, and music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The musical was produced by the U. S. Army in 1942, and featured a cast of U. S. soldiers, for the benefit of the Army Relief Fund. The revue ran at the Broadway Theatre from July 4, 1942, to September 26, 1942, for 113 performances.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- recording date
- 1942
- composer
- Berlin, Irving
- manufacturer
- Decca
- ID Number
- 1988.0384.03
- accession number
- 1988.0384
- maker number
- 18475
- catalog number
- 1988.0384.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Piano Stool
- Description (Brief)
- This piano stool was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, mid-late 19th century. It has a carved wood base, with 4 extended legs, and a green with red and beige striped fabric covered cloverleaf-shaped seat. Accessioned with Debain piano (Cat. (MI.236912).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- MI.236912.01
- catalog number
- 236912.01
- accession number
- 44953
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Key to the City of New Orleans, presented to Ella Fitzgerald
- Description
Key to the City of New Orleans, Louisiana. During her national tours, communities awarded jazz vocalist, Ella Fitzgerald, a key to their city. It is a metal key with a city seal in the center. The key is cast:
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
- Location
- Currently not on view
- presenter
- City of New Orleans
- recipient
- Fitzgerald, Ella
- ID Number
- 1996.0342.049.16
- accession number
- 1996.0342
- catalog number
- 1996.0342.049.16
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Leblanc Basset Horn
- Description
This basset horn was made by G, Leblanc Corporation in Kenosha, Wisconson in 1962. It is a Boehm System basset horn in F, model 451 serial #6502, made of grenadilla with nickel silver keys and bell. This basset horn is stamped:
G
LEBLANC
PARIS
FRANCEThis basset horn was designed in Paris but manufactured at the Wisconsin plant.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1962
- maker
- G. Leblanc Corporation
- ID Number
- MI.63.274
- accession number
- 243869
- catalog number
- 63.274
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Kirkman Single Manual Harpsichord
- Description (Brief)
- This harpsichord was made by Jacob and Abraham Kirkman in London, England in 1776. It is a single manual harpsichord with a compass of FF - f3 (no FF#), and a disposition of 2 x 8’, 1 x 4’. This instrument has a spruce soundboard, and ivory naturals and ebony accidentals. There are three hand stops: one on bass side (octave 4’) and two on treble side of nameboard (first unison 8’, second unison 8’). The nameboard is inscribed: “Jacobus et Abraham Kirckman Londini Fecerunt 1776.” The soundboard contains a 3” diameter rose of gilt metal with musical instruments and the initials “IK.”
- The inseparable case is made of mahogany veneered wood with crotch mahogany panels with holly stringing and plain mahogany cross banding. The keyboard well has burl walnut veneer with holly stringing and light walnut cross banding.
- This harpsichord was previously in the Morris Steinert Collection of Keyed and Stringed Instruments in New Haven, Connecticut. A Steinert catalog from the 1890’s describes this harpsichord as “formerly owned by Napoleon Bonaparte; was given, after his banishment to St. Helena, to a French sergeant, who bought it with him to this country, where he settled at Scituate, Mass. In 1833 he sold the instrument to Simon Bates, of Scituate Harbor Light, and by inheritance it passed into the hands of his son, James G. Bates, who is still alive, and from him into the possession of his daughter, Mrs. M. Wharff, now living at Gloucester, Mass., of whom M. Steinert purchased it.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1776
- maker
- Kirkman, Jacob
- Kirkman, Abraham
- ID Number
- MI.303528
- accession number
- 62559
- catalog number
- 303528
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
"Whistling Rufus"
- Description
This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1899-1900. It is Stella Disc #521 - "Whistling Rufus," by Kerry Mills. This disc is playable in Mermod Freres music box models, #63, #84, #126, #168, and #268, which can accommodate 17-1/4” diameter discs.
According to the accession correspondence, the music box and accompanying discs were purchased by the donor in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 25. 1901
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1899-1900
- maker
- Mermod Freres
- ID Number
- MI.381443.23
- catalog number
- 381443.23
- accession number
- 159680
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Overture; I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
- Description
side1: All Soldier Orchestra and Chorus. Overture; side 2: Cpl. Earl Oxford and Soldier Chorus. I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen (Decca 18474), from the album, Irving Berlin's All Soldier Show: This Is the Army (Decca A-340).
78 rpm.This album is for the Broadway musical This Is the Army, with book by James McColl, and music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The musical was produced by the U. S. Army in 1942, and featured a cast of U. S. soldiers, for the benefit of the Army Relief Fund. The revue ran at the Broadway Theatre from July 4, 1942, to September 26, 1942, for 113 performances.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- recording date
- 1942
- composer
- Berlin, Irving
- manufacturer
- Decca
- ID Number
- 1988.0384.02
- accession number
- 1988.0384
- maker number
- 18474
- catalog number
- 1988.0384.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Baton
- Description
This baton was made by an unknown maker, provenance and date unknown. It is a white plastic stick with a cork handle. There is illegible green printing (handwriting?) on the cork.
This baton was previously owned and used by William Russo (1928-2003), American composer, arranger, musician, teacher, and founder of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. Russo composed more than 200 pieces for jazz orchestra. Throughout his career, Russo work included collaborations with Duke Ellington, Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Stan Kenton, Cannonball Adderley, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Cleo Laine, and Billie Holiday.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- user
- Russo, William
- ID Number
- 2003.0162.03
- accession number
- 2003.0162
- catalog number
- 2003.0162.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
"El Capitan"
- Description
This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1897-1899. It is Regina Disc #4043 - "El Capitan (March)," by John Philip Sousa. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 27” diameter disc.
This disc features the following patents:
U. S. Patent #417649, dated December 17, 1889 by Oskar Paul Lochmann for a music plate for mechanical instruments.
U. S. Patent #500374, dated June 27, 1893 by Gustav A. Brachhausen and Paul Riessner for a note-plate for music boxes.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- manufacturing date
- 1897-1899
- composer
- Sousa, John Philip
- manufacturer
- Regina Music Box Company
- ID Number
- MI.72.26.08
- accession number
- 299195
- catalog number
- 72.26.54
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Christopher Gerock 1-Keyed Flute
- Description
This flute was made by Christopher Gerock in London, England around 1805 to 1815. It is a 1-keyed flute made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and a brass key. This flute is stamped:
C. GEROCK
] 76
BISHOPS GATE St.
LONDON- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1805-1815
- maker
- Gerock, Christopher
- ID Number
- MI.377362
- accession number
- 137059
- catalog number
- 377362
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Haverly's European Mastodon Minstrels
- Description
- Colored print of a large band performing on the steps of the Capitol (south wing), during the inauguration of the president. A row of Honor Guards stands at attention on the steps, to either side of the band. A large crowd looks on. Haverly's United Mastodon Minstrels was a blackface performers created in 1877, when J. H. Haverly merged four of his companies. The group included a brass band and a drum corp. The shows included lavish scenery and often a circus act.
- Entertainment entrepreneur J. H. (Jack) Haverly (1837-1901) was born Christopher Haverly near Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. He launched his show business career in 1864 in Toledo, Ohio, where he purchased a variety theater. Inspired by entrepreneurs like P. T. Barnum, Haverly went on to manage other theaters, and he created minstrel and comic performance groups on the East Coast and in the Middle West. In the late 1870s he consolidated his troupes into a single company called the United Mastodon Minstrels which included forty performers, along with a brass band and drum corps. The group continued to grow and at one point had more than a hundred members. Around the same time, Haverly took control of a black performing group called Charles Callender's Original Georgia Minstrels, which he renamed Haverly’s Colored Minstrels. He promoted their performances as authentic depictions of black life, even creating a mock plantation with costumed actors portraying slaves and overseers. Haverly’s troupes toured the United States, usually appearing at his own theaters in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco. They also traveled to England and Scotland. Featuring lavish stage sets, extravagant special effects, and performers in blackface makeup and exotic costumes, his innovations inspired the creation of smaller minstrel shows during the late nineteenth century.
- This chromolithograph was produced by the Strobridge Lithographing Company. The Strobridge firm was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio ca 1847 by lithographer Elijah J. Middleton (cited in some sources as Elijah C. Middleton). Middleton was known as one of the pioneers of chromolithography in the United States. By 1854 another lithographer, W. R. Wallace, along with the bookseller Hines Strobridge (1823-1909) had joined the firm as partners. After the Civil War, Strobridge acquired sole ownership of the company and renamed it after himself. Strobridge and Company became especially well known for circus, theater, and movie posters. After leaving the company, Elijah Middleton established a reputation as a portrait publisher, producing prints of George and Martha Washington, Daniel Webster, and other American historical figures.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1880
- maker
- Strobridge Lithographing Company
- ID Number
- DL.60.2482
- catalog number
- 60.2482
- accession number
- 228146
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
"I'll Still Belong To You"
- Description
- This sheet music is for the song “I’ll Still Belong To You,” with music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Edward Eliscu. It was published by Radio Music Co., Inc. in New York, New York in 1930. The song was featured in the 1930 Samuel Goldwyn Productions/United Artists Pre-Code musical comedy film Whoopee!, directed by Thornton Freeland and starred Eddie Cantor, Ethel Shutta, Pail Gregory, and Eleanor Hunt. The cover features an image of American performer, comedian, dancer, singer, actor, and songwriter Eddie Cantor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- publishing date
- 1930
- depicted (sitter)
- Cantor, Eddie
- publisher
- Radio Music Company Inc.
- ID Number
- 1985.0874.09
- accession number
- 1985.0874
- catalog number
- 1985.0874.09
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Dress worn by Celia Cruz
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2016.0032.016
- accession number
- 2016.0032
- catalog number
- 2016.0032.016
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Conn B-Flat Cornet
- Description
This cornet was made by C.G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana in 1901. It is a B-flat cornet, New York Wonder model serial #67317, made of silver plated brass, and has 3 piston valves. This cornet is accessioned with an original case and mouthpiece. It is engraved:
NEW YORK WONDER
MADE
BY
C.G. CONN
ELKHART IND.
AND
NEW YORKThe second valve on the cornet is stamped “PAT. JUNE [/] 15, 1886” which refers to United States Patent #343888 granted to Charles G. Conn for “Improvements in Cornets, and other Piston-Valve Musical Instruments.”
This cornet was previously owned by the donors’ father, Francis Morton Messick (1908-1969).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1901
- maker
- C. G. Conn
- ID Number
- 1990.0290.02
- accession number
- 1990.0290
- catalog number
- 1990.0290.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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