1890s George Burt Stone Drum for H. C. Barnes

Decades before the family name became synonymous with drum manufacturing in Boston, George Burt Stone began building drums for his students in a small workshop near his home in Roxbury, Massachusetts. According to George B. Stone & Son Catalogue "G" (ca. 1912) Stone quickly outgrew the space and in 1890 moved to 47 Hanover Street in Boston. Upon his son George Lawrence Stone's entry into the family business around 1908 the firm became known as George B. Stone & Son which would soon become New England's most prominent drum maker.

From friend of the blog Rick Erwin: photos of a drum held by the Lisbon Area Historical Society, in Lisbon, New Hampshire. The interior label reads:

THE
BARNES REGIMENTAL DRUM
made by
GEO. B. STONE, Drum Major 1st Regiment M. V. M.
H. C. BARNES,
BOSTON

Christine Merrick Ayars' Contributions to the Art of Music in America by the Music Industries of Boston, 1640-1936 states that Howard C. Barnes worked for Boston's G. W. Stratton & Company where he would manage the business during Mr. Stratton's prolonged absences. Ayars continues: "About 1890 Mr. Barnes apparently took over the business under his own name, as a dealer, continuing at 21 Hanover St. He moved about 1893 to 98 Hanover St., where he remained until the firm of Elias Howe Co. bought him out about 1898 and he went with the latter company as an official." Directory listings corroborate Ayars' reporting with Barnes appearing at 98 Hanover under "Musical Instruments" in 1895.

But the drum seen above is more significant because of where it falls in George B. Stone's manufacturing arc. Instruments labeled "George B. Stone & Son" date no earlier than 1908. This example, however, dates to the 1890s - a full decade before George Lawrence Stone became a junior partner in his father's business. At the time this drum was built, George Burt Stone was perhaps best known for his role with the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia and is identified on the makers label as Drum Major for the 1st Regiment. This "Barnes Regimental Drum" provides not only an early example of Stone's work, but also his willingness to work with local retailers and distributors.

One interesting footnote about Howard C. Barnes: his family home, an 1870s Italianate located at 183 Pine Street in Quincy, Massachusetts, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Do you have a drum made by George Burt Stone? I would love to hear from you! Email Lee anytime at lee@vinson.net. And for more on the early 20th century snare drum makers of Boston, Massachusetts please visit BostonDrumBuilders.com or follow @old_boston_drums on Instagram.