Pete, Paris, and Neal Hammons

Title: Pete, Paris, and Neal Hammons
Creator/Maker: For Photographs, Archival Documents, & Artifacts: Bob "Captain" Colebank, photographer
Source: American Folklife Center, Library of Congress; https://www.loc.gov/folklife/LP/AFSL65andL66_Hammons.pdf
Location: American Folklife Center, Library of Congress; https://www.loc.gov/folklife/
Date: 1906
Caption: Taken in 1906 along the Williams River in Webster County, this photograph features members of the Hammons family—brothers Pete, Paris, and Neal—posing with a fiddle, gun, and phonograph. Known for their distinctive old-time musical sound, their knowledge of mountain lore, and their traditional way of life, the Hammons family embodies the culture and sound of the West Virginia frontier.

According to folklorist and musician Gerry Milnes, “The three brothers seem to be making a calculated statement by holding items of importance and usefulness.” Milnes notes that the inclusion of the phonograph “belies any argument that this family was musically isolated from the rest of the world,” contradicting the stereotype of mountaineers as culturally secluded from the rest of the world.
Rights: The American Folklife Center is not aware of any copyright or restrictions on use of this photograph.
Resource Format (e.g. Audio, Image, Text, etc.): Image