The Sweeneys and the Banjo

Local resident, Joel Sweeney, created the five string banjo from an African instrument called the banjar. He also helped to popularize the banjo by touring around the United States and Europe, even playing for the Queen of England. Although Joel died in 1860, his younger brother Sam, who also played the banjo, was recruited to be General J.E.B. Stuart’s personal musician during the Civil War. Connect the dots to identify this instrument.

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