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.
