Led by Ron Pen of the  John Jacob Niles Center for American Music.

The dulcimer’s roots are firmly planted in the soil of eastern Kentucky with the earliest instruments crafted in 1838 by Ely Boggs and “Uncle” Ed Thomas in 1870. Dulcimers created by McKinley Craft, Will Singleton, and Jethro Amburgey spread throughout the country from Hindman. Performers including Jean Ritchie and John Jacob Niles popularized the instrument during the folk revival.

This history talk will come alive through an illustrated presentation, enhanced with a live performance.

A longtime musicology professor and director of the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music, Pen has dedicated much of his life to studying and preserving music history.

Co-sponsored by The Friends of the Library with support of Kentucky Humanities

Kentucky Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C.

For more information contact Adult Programming Coordinator [email protected]  270-442-2510 x117.

All programs are free & open to the public