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Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Guide to the Peter Marks Minstrelsy Collection
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.1328
- Creators:
-
Jessee, MarkMarks, Peter, 1843-1883
- Dates:
-
1800-1915; undated
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
3 Cubic feet
- Repository:
The collection documents Marks's years as a harpist on the Midwestern minstrel circuit. It primarily consists of sheet music and song books, theater programs, posters announcing minstrel shows, newspaper articles, and personal papers.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The collection contains the personal and professional papers of musician Peter Marks dating primarily from the mid to late nineteenth century. These materials provide valuable insight into life before and after the Civil War mainly through correspondence and other primary sources documenting domestic activities. The materials also document how a musician was able to make a living teaching music and performing in classical music concerts, as well as, with minstrel troupes.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1: Personal Papers, 1800s-1909; undated
Series 2: Professional Materials, 1849-1915; undated
Subseries 2.1, Playbills, Programs, Posters and Advertisements, 1863-1879; undated
Subseries 2.2, Sheet Music, 1843-1901; undated
Subseries 2.3, Publications, 1849-1915; undated
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Peter Matthew Marks was born February 21, 1843 to parents William Augustus Marks and Anne Mooney (Marks) in Ireland. He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio learning to play piano, harp, and guitar. Marks performed with various minstrel troupes in and around Cincinnati, Ohio. During the war, he served as a member of the Ohio militia for one month before leaving to continue his music career. Peter Marks met and married Mary "Emma" McKitrick. He ultimately left the minstrel circuit and went on to become a professor at the Cincinnati College of Music. He died in 1883.
Administration
Author
Vanessa Broussard-Simmons
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the Archives Center in 2014, by Mark Jessee in honor of the Archie and Camille Jessee Family.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Vanessa Broussard- Simmons, archivist, 2015.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Peter Marks Minstrelsy Collection, 1800-1915, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Related Materials
Related Materials
Hooker-Howe Costume Company Records, circa 1922-1938
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Music teachers | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Harpists | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Minstrel music | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Songbooks -- 19th century | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Sheet music -- 19th century | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Theater programs -- 19th century | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Theater | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Minstrel shows | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Posters -- 19th century | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Articles -- 19th century | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu
