Gerry Milnes Collection

Lap dulcimer from Jim Costa’s collection

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Lap dulcimer from Jim Costa’s extensive collection of folklife artifacts, resting on a porch beside a wooden chair. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, Feb 1989, Kanawha County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1543.

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Lap dulcimer from Jim Costa’s collection Read More »

Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer

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Close-up of tail piece on dark brown six-string lap dulcimer played by Walter Miller. The one of a kind instrument features small triangular sound holes, a larger central sound hole carved in the shape of the silhouette of the Camay soap box girl, and two overlapping raised hearts below the tailpiece. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, March 1992, Nicholas County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1527.

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

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Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer

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Close-up of dark brown six-string lap dulcimer played by Walter Miller. The instrument features small triangular sound holes and a larger central sound hole carved in the shape of a cameo-style head profile. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, March 1992, Nicholas County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1529.

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer Read More »

Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer

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Close-up of dark brown six-string lap dulcimer played by Walter Miller. The instrument features small triangular sound holes and a larger central sound hole carved in the shape of a cameo-style head profile. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, March 1992, Nicholas County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1528.

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer Read More »

Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer

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Close-up of dark brown six-string lap dulcimer played by Walter Miller. The instrument features small triangular sound holes and a larger central sound hole carved in the shape of a cameo-style head profile. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, March 1992, Nicholas County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1527.

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer Read More »

Walter and Paul Miller holding lap dulcimers

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Walter and Paul Miller holding lap dulcimers with heart-shaped sound holes. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, March 1992, Nicholas County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1531.

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Walter and Paul Miller holding lap dulcimers Read More »

Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer

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Close-up of dark brown six-string lap dulcimer played by Walter Miller. The instrument features small triangular sound holes and a larger central sound hole carved in the shape of a cameo-style head profile. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, March 1992, Nicholas County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1527.

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Close-up on Walter Miller’s lap dulcimer Read More »

Early lap dulcimer by Basil Blake

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Early 3-string hourglass-shaped, oak wood lap dulcimer made by Basil Blake. The dulcimer features four star-shaped sound holes, wire frets, and carved strum hollow. Basil Blake was described by Gerry Milnes as a pre-revival dulcimer maker from Bragg Run in Braxton County. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, March 1990, Braxton County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1545. (archive reference for coordinating photo showing full instrument: GM S1355.)

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Early lap dulcimer by Basil Blake Read More »

Dulcimer from Patty Looman’s collection

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Hourglass-shaped dulcimer from Patty Looman’s extensive instrument collection. The instrument features four sets of three small round sound holes and raised frets along the wooden fret board. Description on photo says “mulehead.” Photograph by Gerry Milnes, July 1990, Marion County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1395.

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

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Dulcimer made by Arden Cogar

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Back side of dulcimer from Patty Looman’s collection. Tag inside the dulcimer says “made by Arden Cogar from Webster Springs WV, in 1933”. The instrument has a carved top and back. Corresponding photograph displays a side view of the head and peg board. Dulcimer is constructed from tiger maple wood. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, Aug 1990, Marion County, WV.

archive reference: GM S1393 (corresponding photo reference: GM S1242.)

Project description: The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes tapes and photographs with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Dulcimer made by Arden Cogar Read More »

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