January 28, 2025
Carol Ward Bamford, a music specialist and curator of musical instruments at the Library of Congress, shared the history and purpose of the library’s musical instrument collection, including notable visitors and the Stradivarius instruments in the collection. She also discussed the condition of the crystal flutes in her care, the development of a new cabinet for holding flutes and other glass objects, and the history of a crystal flute believed to have been given to James Madison by Lafayette. Additionally, Ward shared the story of the flute collection, the life and legacy of Dayton C. Miller, and the restoration of a vintage synthesizer, as well as the Civil War instruments in their collection.