<p>This snare drum was made by Blair and Baldwin in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1892-1893. It has a wood shell and skin heads. The hoops are made of wood and have 12 sets of metal hooks for rope which is laced through leather and metal tensioning ears. The drum has a gut snare and a leather carrying strap. There is a printed label inside the shell that inscribed:</p>
<p>BLAIR AND BOSTON<br>Brighton district<br>BOSTON, MASS.</p>
<p>This drum was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.</p>
Location:
Currently not on view
Credit Line:
Gift of Pamela A. Carlin and Evelyn A. Mark in memory of William T. Armstrong
