Drums in the Revolution and Early Republic: Sounds and Symbols of Patriotism

During the American Revolution and Early Republic, drums were crucial for military communication, discipline, and morale, serving as the "soundtrack" of the war by conveying orders over the chaos of battle. Rope-tension drums, typically played by young boys, emerged as lasting symbols of patriotism, often decorated with eagles and national colors.

Stephen O’Neill serves as the Executive Director of the Hanover Historical Society and is also the Director of the Dyer Memorial Library in Abington. In 2017, he curated the “Historic American Drums” exhibit at the Hanover Historical Society, featuring drums from the early 18th century to the present. Additionally, he authored The Life of Peregrine White: “The First Englishman Born in New England,” published in 2020. O'Neill is a lifelong resident of the South Shore, a member of the Old Colony Club in Plymouth, a life member of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, and a Proprietor of the Boston Athenaeum.

This event is sponsored in part by MA250.