Musical exhibit from Smithsonian visits Kellogg

KELLOGG – The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit opens today at the Staff House Mining Museum in Kellogg and runs through Aug. 3.

The “New Harmonies” exhibit celebrates American Roots music – music that has grown out of older folk traditions.

“To preserve the mining, smelting and cultural history of the Silver Valley, you wouldn’t think this applies to our mission,” said Becky Powers, the museum exhibit coordinator. “But it really does.”

Early settlers and miners brought to the Silver Valley their religion, families and their own cultural identity, including music, both sacred and secular.

“Music is what tied it all together,” Powers said. “And that’s why we applied for this exhibit and were thrilled when we got it.”

“New Harmonies” is an interactive exhibit that chronicles the development of American music from its beginnings with Native American drums and flute, African drumming rhythyms and the hymns of the Puritans. All of American Root music is based on these rhythms and melodies creating the new music we hear today, Powers said.

The “800-square-foot display features several kiosks. “Each kiosk has something interactive,” Powers said. Some stations include music you can play, like strumming a banjo, or a radio you can turn on and listen to the Grand Ole Opry. Another kiosk is a listening station with headphones where you can select from a half dozen sheet music songs and listen to 30-second segments.

One condition for the exhibit to come to the town is for the town to create an exhibit of their local community to go along with the Smithsonian display. To make the connection from the traveling display to the culture and music of the Silver Valley, a leader’s Warren Industry Union band uniform was donated to the exhibit. Also, they have sheet music and a copy of the original union membership book that will be on display.

In the process of collecting data for the new display, museum researchers found enough information to have a display on the mining wars next year.

The exhibit is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program. The program’s mission is to provide assistance to rural museums so they may have lasting professional improvement and spark local interest in American history.

The exhibit kicks off with a dedication ceremony today and performances by local artists. Other activities include:

“Next Saturday, a slide show by Rob McIntyre, on Miner Melodies.

“July 12 a musical performance by Bill Rossiter.

“July 16, folk dance and folk music with Mary Jule Roletto and Jackie Fields.

“Aug. 3, an evening of song with Rosalie Sorrels.

For more information contact the Silver Valley Chamber at 784-0821.