Last updated: July 31, 2019
Place
Hiram and Art Stamper House
Photograph by Clerance Stamper, courtesy of the Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office
Quick Facts
Location:
Hindman, Knott County, Kentucky
Significance:
Performing Arts, Entertainment/Recreation
Designation:
Listed in the National Register – Reference number 13001053
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
The Hiram and Art Stamper House in Knott County, Kentucky is significant as the home of two master fiddlers: Hiram Stamper (1893 - 1992) and Arthur “Art” Stamper (1933-2005). Their house was constructed in 1931 and remained important in the development of the Stamper fiddle music tradition. Hiram Stamper was a well-known fiddler within the genre of traditional Old-Time music and his son, Art Stamper, learned Old-Time fiddling from his father. Hiram Stamper is recognized for his important part in maintaining the purity of Kentucky fiddle music and the old traditions. This music is considered a critical heritage to the southeast Kentucky region. Art Stamper is also known for his contributions to other music forms, including Bluegrass Music and Mountain Music, as evidenced by the increasing popularity of his recordings throughout his career. Although he found success in multiple styles, Art Stamper continued to revere the Old-Time tunes on which he had been raised.
Both Stampers' mastery of the fiddle has its roots in their home place, the isolated hollow in Knott County, Kentucky. Due to this isolation, in the early 20th century, when outsiders "discovered" Eastern Kentucky and the rest of Appalachia, they came to regard it as a place where an 18th- and 19th-century way of life persisted. Certainly this view was applied to the understanding of music produced in this mountainous area; rather than focusing on how musicians innovated in creating music over time, folklorists who document mountain musicians observe how those players have maintained centuries old traditions. A large share of both Stampers' significance as fiddle players relates to archaic methods, fiddle tunings, and style of play; however, place becomes an important element of this analysis. Both Hiram and Art had exposure to the world beyond Knott County, as both served in the military overseas. After 1934, Hiram remained in his Knott County home and his music is noted for its purer connection to Knott County's musical past. Art Stamper, on the other hand, did not return to his home after military service and migrated to a number of Kentucky towns, including Louisville. Consequently, his musical expressions have a greater range. Both Stamper fiddlers help us reflect on the way that folk music serves as more than a mere pastime. Because traditional music results from, transmits, reinforces, and is symbolic of the culture that produces it, this music can help us understand the cultural significance that it carries.
Both Stampers' mastery of the fiddle has its roots in their home place, the isolated hollow in Knott County, Kentucky. Due to this isolation, in the early 20th century, when outsiders "discovered" Eastern Kentucky and the rest of Appalachia, they came to regard it as a place where an 18th- and 19th-century way of life persisted. Certainly this view was applied to the understanding of music produced in this mountainous area; rather than focusing on how musicians innovated in creating music over time, folklorists who document mountain musicians observe how those players have maintained centuries old traditions. A large share of both Stampers' significance as fiddle players relates to archaic methods, fiddle tunings, and style of play; however, place becomes an important element of this analysis. Both Hiram and Art had exposure to the world beyond Knott County, as both served in the military overseas. After 1934, Hiram remained in his Knott County home and his music is noted for its purer connection to Knott County's musical past. Art Stamper, on the other hand, did not return to his home after military service and migrated to a number of Kentucky towns, including Louisville. Consequently, his musical expressions have a greater range. Both Stamper fiddlers help us reflect on the way that folk music serves as more than a mere pastime. Because traditional music results from, transmits, reinforces, and is symbolic of the culture that produces it, this music can help us understand the cultural significance that it carries.