‘Making Music in Early America’: A Colonial Williamsburg Exhibition

An eclectic array of instruments offers a glimpse into the musical life in a rising Republic.

A detail from the portrait of Ann Taylor Roberts, 1820, by William Dunlap. Oil on canvas. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

In the 18th century, Williamsburg emerged as one of the colonies’ vibrant trading hubs. The blossoming capital of Virginia wasted no time becoming a flourishing cultural center as well. A popular exhibition at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, “Making Music in Early America,” features some of the country’s adored and unique instruments from her formative era.

Even in the country’s earliest days, the musical landscape and the music-makers who shaped it created an environment full of captivating melody and striking craftsmanship. As far back as the 1700s, America was as artistically alive as it is today.

The Wind Plays the Harp

From the outset of American history, music was a core part of daily activities, whether one was tending to land, attending church, or celebrating a special occasion. “It was part of everyday life,” the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg’s website states.