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Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
"The Sweeneys are indeed a wonder!!"
Joel Sweeney, resident of Appomattox who popularized the 5-string banjo.

NPS Collection

Joel Sweeney, resident of Appomattox  popularized the 5-string banjo.

The banjo has become the quintessential American musical instrument.  It combines the traditions of the simple stringed gourd from African slaves with the ballads and tunes of the Scotch-Irish and English who settled Virginia.  Appomattox County was the birthplace of Joel Sweeney, the man who popularized the 5-string banjo. 

Group 1: Photographs of Joel Sweeney, Richard Sweeney, Sam Sweeney, and the Sweeney Banjo

Group 2: Banjos that are attributed to Joel Sweeney in the Appomattox Court House collection

Group 3:  4 string slave banjar (reproduction) 

Group 4: Traveling trunk believed to have belonged to Joel Sweeney

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Field's uniform coat (left) James Field (right) ca. 1880, when he was President of the Virginia Baptist Convention *image courtesy VBHS

Did You Know?
Major James Field, of A.P. Hill's staff, surrendered at Appomattox. Field served in the Mexican War, helped to write the 1st Constitution for the State of California and ran for Vice President of the United States in 1892. (Field's Confederate frock coat is at Appomattox Court House NHP)
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Last Updated: June 19, 2011 at 11:35 MST