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All the United States Oklahoma Oklahoma City American Banjo Museum

American Banjo Museum

Very likely the only museum in the world that celebrates the glory of the humble banjo.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Added By
madfishthepirate
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The American Banjo Museum   katsrcool on Flickr
The American Banjo Museum   katsrcool on Flickr
  Allison / Atlas Obscura User
  Allison / Atlas Obscura User
  Allison / Atlas Obscura User
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
Banjo Resurgence Board  
Exhibit on the Banjo’s Origins  
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Banjos on display at the American Banjo Museum in the Bricktown district of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (United States).   Michael Barera / Atlas Obscura User
American Banjo Museum 🪕   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
The American Banjo Museum in the Bricktown district of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (United States).   Michael Barera / Atlas Obscura User
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Containing more instruments on public display than any other collection in the world, the American Banjo Museum is a thoroughly modern facility devoted to a historically analog instrument.

Appropriated as one of America's native instruments from African slave culture in the mid-1600s when the instrument was invented using gourds and animal skins, the banjo has been considered an integral part of American music for hundreds of years. This rich history is on display at the museum which features over 300 banjos ranging from handmade folk instruments, to tightly calibrated concert banjos.

In addition to the wall-to-wall banjo collection the museum is interspersed with historic sheet music, related ephemera, and out-of-print records from forgotten banjo greats. The museum prides itself on its collection of ornate Jazz-era banjos, but its true pride should come from devoting its existence to a musical tradition that might otherwise have been forgotten. In the small café at the front, you can even try out some banjo playing yourself.

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Music Museums And Collections Museums

Community Contributors

Added By

madfishthepirate

Edited By

Rachel, Molly McBride Jacobson, Allison, EricGrundhauser...

  • Rachel
  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • Allison
  • EricGrundhauser
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Michael Barera
  • SemiruralYeti
  • Jason Michael Walker
  • saenglish

Published

January 14, 2014

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  • http://www.visitokc.com/listings/American-Banjo-Museum/792/6/
American Banjo Museum
9 East Sheridan Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104
United States
35.466806, -97.511498
Visit Website
Get Directions

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