National Museum of American History

"Hello, Dolly" Dress Worn by Carol Channing

One of the most distinctive comediennes of her generation, Carol Channing (b.

This cuatro was made by Rafael Aviles Vazquez in Puerto Rico in 1999-2000. A type of plucked 10-string instrument (5 courses, double-strung), it is now ubiquitous in most groups playing any kind of Puerto Rican music. It is used in the manner of a first guitar: to play melodies and to “floretear” or accompany singing. The instrument is used today in salsa orchestras and plena music groups and is, of course, the king of Puerto Rican country music.Currently not on view

Vázquez Puerto Rican Cuatro

This cuatro was made by Rafael Aviles Vazquez in Puerto Rico in 1999-2000. A type of plucked 10-string instrument (5 courses, double-strung), it is now ubiquitous in most groups playing any kind of Puerto Rican music.

Marímbula

The marímbula, (also marímbola), is an African-derived folk instrument found across the Caribbean. Large enough for its player to sit on, this instrument consists of a large, resonating box with metal strips that are plucked to provide a simple bass accompaniment. Its affordability, ease of construction, and portability (it can be strapped to its player like a marching drum), made it adaptable to many styles of folk music, from the roving aguinaldo of the Christmas season to a street-corner plena.La marímbula, o marímbola, es un instrumento derivado del folklore africano que puede hallarse en todo el Caribe. Es lo suficientemente grande como para que el intérprete pueda sentarse sobre él. Consiste en una caja de resonancia con flejes de metal que se puntean produciendo un simple acompañamiento de sonidos graves. Dado que se trata de un instrumento accesible, fácil de construir y de transportar (el intérprete puede colgárselo con una faja al igual que un tambor de marcha), se lo adaptó a diferentes estilos de música folclórica, desde el aguinaldo de la época navideña hasta la plena.

Marímbula

The marímbula

Higham B-Flat Cornet

This cornet was made by Joseph Higham in Manchester, England around 1858 to 1860. It is a B-flat cornet, serial #4735, made of silver plated brass and has 3 rotary valves. This cornet is engraved:

PATENT
BY HER
MAJESTY'S
ROYAL LETTERS
J. HIGHAM
MAKER
INVENTOR & PATENTEE
VICTORIA BRIDGE [/] MANCHESTER
4735

Joseph Higham (1818-1883) was awarded British Patent #123, January 15, 1857, for “Improvements in valve musical instruments.”

Currently not on view

Higham B-Flat Cornet

LL Cool J Sampler Tape

Various artists. LL Cool J Sampler Tape (Def Jam DEF-191-4/3)Cassette format. This is a Collector's Edition Def Jam sampler tape featuring LL Cool J [James Todd Smith] on the cover.Currently not on view

"LL Cool J Sampler Tape" Cassette

Born James Todd Smith III on this day in 1968, LL Cool J is a rapper, actor, and producer, and one of the early mainstream hip hop stars. His hits in the 80s and 90s helped establish Def Jam as a major record label. Many of these were released in this 1997 compilation.

American Four-String Fretless Banjo

This banjo was made by an unknown maker in Marengo County, Alabama around 1850-1884. It is a Four-String Fretless Banjo. It was collected in in 1884 in Marengo County, Alabama by Dr. Edward Palmer for the Smithsonian's "frontier collection.” Although roughly made, with whittled tuning pegs and a tacked-on untanned animal skin head, the grooves worn into the fretless neck show that it was well used. The banjo is a typical example of many homemade instruments that used locally available materials to make instruments which could produce powerful results in the hands of a skilled musician.Currently not on view

Four-String Fretless Banjo

This banjo was made by an unknown maker in Marengo County, Alabama around 1850-1884. It was collected in in 1884 in Marengo County, Alabama by Dr.

Fiddle from Taos, New Mexico

This folk fiddle was made in the Taos region of New Mexico around the 1920s. According to its previous owner, this fiddle was used in the village of Truchas by the Penitentes brotherhood to accompany sung prayers (alabados).

Slingerland Songster Electric Guitar

This electric guitar was made by the Slingerland Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois, around 1936–39. It pre-dates the experimental "log" guitar of Les Paul from 1940 and is one of the earliest commercially marketed solid body, Spanish neck electric guitars. Slingerland ceased making electric instruments in 1940, changing exclusively to production of percussion instruments. This electric guitar is a Songster Spanish style and serial #114. In a late 1930s Slingerland catalog, this electric guitar, case and amplifier sold for $150.00Currently not on view

Slingerland Songster Electric Guitar

This electric guitar was made by the Slingerland Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois, around 1936–39.

Rada Drum, "Boula", for Vodou ceremonies

Drum for Vodou ceremonies. Of the three-part Rada battery (catalog numbers E433013- 433015) this is the smallest drum, the "boula". Body is carved from one piece of hollowed out wood, wider at the top and very narrow at the bottom. Painted white with red and green bands near the bottom. Skin stretched over the top, with 5 holes for the pegs. 5 wooden pegs painted yellow or red at the wider end. Not fully “headed”, i.e. missing the typical braided sisal rope used to affix and tighten the drum head. This rope is typically wound around the head of the drum and interlaced with the wooden pegs that also secures the drumhead (see “Life in a Haitian Valley”, 1934 Melville and Frances Herskovits. This film contains sequences of the “heading” of rada drums. Human Studies Film Archives, HSFA 77.1.2)21 Nov 20166

Rada Drum, "Boula", for Vodou ceremonies

The Boula (in the center of the image) is the smallest of the three drums that form the Rada battery used in Vodou ceremonies. Vodou is a syncretic religion from Haiti that fuses beliefs and rites from Yoruba, Fon and Bantu religious traditions with some elements of Roman Catholicism and indigenous Caribbean religions.

John Philip Sousa's Baton

America's "March King," John Philip Sousa, used this silver-tipped baton to conduct his world-famous band. A masterful composer of music to get people moving, Sousa also popularized classical music, first as leader of the U.S. Marine Band and then touring with his own Sousa Band. His stirring military marches, including "The Stars and Stripes Forever," expressed the nationalistic spirit of their times, but they have also gained an enduring appeal as part of the country's patriotic repertoire.

John Philip Sousa's Baton

America's "March King," John Philip Sousa, used this silver-tipped baton to conduct his world-famous band. His stirring military marches, including "The Stars and Stripes Forever," expressed the nationalistic spirit of their times, but they have also gained an enduring appeal as part of the country's patriotic repertoire.

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