Finding Aid for Bruce Williams Papers and Hammer Dulcimer, 1981-1996 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Sandy Kroeker

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Collection Overview

Title: Bruce Williams Papers and Hammer Dulcimer, 1981-1996

ID: 26/20/252

Primary Creator: Bruce Williams (1943-2021)

Extent: 1.25 cubic feet

Arrangement: Arranged by material, instrument (with accessories) and papers, and then in chronological order.

Date Acquired: 09/15/2023

Subjects: Music -- Illinois, Musical Instrument Makers - United States

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of hammer dulcimer in cloth bag, wooden dulcimer stand, two tuning hammers, four wooden hammers, wooden hammer pattern, paper rosette pattern, photographs, correspondence, and orders of custom built dulcimers; two CDs, one 45rpm audio disc, photographs, newsclippings, sheet music, and preformance and song lists documenting Bruce Williams founding and performances of the Peppermill String Band.

Biographical Note

Bruce John Williams was born July 8, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and died October 25, 2021 in Urbana, IL. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1971, recieved his master's in electrical engineering in 1973, and worked at the U of I until 2003. In the 1970s and 1980s, Williams built custom hammer dulcimers. In the 1980s, he was a founding members of the Peppermill String Band, in which he played the hammer dulcimer alongside George Lowrey on guitar, Kathleen Everingham on the fiddle, David Nelson on bass, and Roger Diggle on guitar.

Subject/Index Terms

Music -- Illinois
Musical Instrument Makers - United States

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: Linda Williams

Acquisition Method: Gift

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Hammer Dulcimer and Peppermill String Band Papers],
[All]

Series 1: Hammer Dulcimer and Peppermill String Band Papers

Box 1

Item 1: Wooden Hammer, undated

Walnut and Cherry

Accession number: 2023.26.20.252.1a

Item 2: Wooden Hammer, undated

Walnut and Cherry

Accession number: 2023.26.20.252.1b

Item 3: Wooden Hammer Pattern

Spruce

Accession number: 2023.26.20.252.2

Item 4: Wooden Hammer

Walnut and Maple

Accession number: 2023.26.20.252.3a

Item 5: Wooden Hammer

Walnut and Maple

Accession number: 2023.26.20.252.3b

Folder 1: Hammer Dulcimer Orders and Correspondence, 1978-1985

Folder 2: Pamela Sutherland Sheet Music, 1981

Folder 3: Peppermill String Band Photographs, 1981-1983

Folder 4: Peppermill String Band News Clippings, 1982-1985

Folder 5: Peppermill String Band CDs, 1990

Folder 6: Hammer Dulcimer Photographs, undated

Folder 7: Hammer Dulcimer Rosette Pattern, undated

Folder 8: Peppermill String Band Disc, undated

Folder 9: Peppermill String Band Performances and Songs, 1989-1995

Item 6: Tuning Hammer, undated

Unidentified tuning hammer with a maple handle, in leather case. Located in hammer dulcimer case.

2023.26.20.252.4

Item 7: Tuning Hammer, undated

Apsco tuning hammer with a maple handle, in leather case. Located in hammer dulcimer case.

2023.26.20.252.5

Item 8: Hammer Dulcimer, 1996

Handmade hammer dulcimer. Sapele top, walnut and maple sides, maple bridges (with plastic tops), and steel tuning and hitch pins. The dulcimer has two rosettes made of ebony with mother of pearl inlay.

2023.26.20.252.6a

Item 9: Dulcimer Case, 1996

Fabric case.

2023.26.20.252.6b

Item 10: Dulcimer Stand, 1996

Handmade folding stand for the hammer dulcimer. Cherry legs with spruce dowels, twine connections, and felt pads at top to support the instrument.

2023.26.20.252.6c

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Hammer Dulcimer and Peppermill String Band Papers],
[All]