American Banjo Museum reflects on women’s influence of the instrument

It’s a woman’s world. Do you like the sound of that? The American Banjo Museum helped secure a spot in history for the ladies who led the way in music, with their Women of the Banjo exhibition held June 2020 through May 2022.

The exhibit compared the past and present contributions of the banjo to contemporary music and culture. Musicians like Alison Brown, Rhiannon Giddens, Dolly Parton, and even Taylor Swift were listed as having drawn inspiration from the American instrument. The exhibit incorporated musicians’ stage attire and historical insights to help emphasize the instrument’s importance to American culture.

The American Banjo Museum was originally known as The National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame Museum and was located in Oklahoma’s original state capital, Guthrie. Founded by Brady Hunt and Jack Canine, the museum is meant to serve as a preservation site for promoting the history of the banjo.

The banjo has been credited as an important piece of American history, beginning in the days of slavery, then helping to build the blueprint of Bluegrass music. The instrument remains a key element of international folk music today.

Be sure to visit the American Banjo Museum’s website for more information on upcoming exhibitions.