Object Record
Images
Additional Images [2]
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1973.177 |
Object Name |
Drum, Bass |
Year Range from |
1928 |
Year Range to |
1932 |
Features |
Round brass drum, black and gold rims. White leather covers are discolored and torn. 11 braces for tuning on wooden frame, held by winged fasteners. 3 round manufactured holes on frame. Metal loop attached to frame. Yellowed paper tag with accession details attached to one tuning brace. |
Object Story |
The Charles Walters Dance Orchestra was founded in 1916 by a husband and wife duo Charles Augustus Walters and Stella Grace Walters. Charles was born January 13, 1879 In Lennox and Addington County. Stella Grace Wagar was born August 19, 1884. She was a descendant of United Empire Loyalists on her Father's side. The couple were married in Lennox and Addington County January 16, 1906. They proceeded to have three children one of whom, Allan J. Walters (b. 1907), played saxophone in the Dance Orchestra. Charles Walters was the manager at the Napanee Public Utilities Commission until 1961. Charles passed away June 11, 1963 while Stella lived until July 6, 1978. The Charles Walters Dance Orchestra started out as just a four piece orchestra with Stella playing piano and Charles taking the drums. The other two original members are unknown. The band played for 16 years until 1932. They played a medley of songs stretching different genres from the popular music of the time, to swing, and even gospel. The dance orchestra played at many different venues, from the mess hall of the Royal Flying Corps, Camp Mohawk, to dance pavilions all over the county, and beyond. They were an especially popular group to play at dances between Belleville and Kingston. The band grew from being a simple four piece orchestra all the way up to twelve pieces when they played at larger venues such as the Napanee Armory. At its largest the band included several saxophones, a violin, banjos and trumpets as well as others like piano and percussion. Circa 1925, the names of several band members outside of the Walters family are known such as; Ted Daverne, Floyd Martin, Robert Harold D. McGreer, William L. Normile, and Reginald Smith. This drum was made by the company R.S. Williams and Sons Ltd. This company under the name R.S. Williams and Son was started circa 1855 by Richard Sugden Williams. The company was originally based out of Toronto Ontario. A variety of instruments were made however, the focus was on pianos and similar instruments. A particular accomplishment for the company was producing two pianos for Windsor Castle by request of Queen Victoria. Richard's son Robert joined the family business and became president after his father's death in 1906. A second son, Richard Sugden Williams Jr., became part of the business as well and was an expert in Violins. Under his guidance several notable string instrument makers worked for the company including Auguste Delivet. The company continued to keep up with the times, selling Edison phonographs and then radios. In 1928 the company in Toronto was sold to B.A. and F.A. Trestrail. The two men worked under the name R.S. Williams and Sons Limited. As the tag inside the drum specifies the company as 'Limited' it is known that this artifact was made after 1928. The Company finally closed in the early 1950's. |
People |
Walters, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1879-1963 Walters, Charles Walters, C.A. Walters, Stella Grace (1884-1978) Walters, Allan Daverne, Ted Martin, Floyd McGreer, Robert Harold D. (1885-1965) Normile, William L. (1906- ) Smith, Reginald (1899- ) Williams, Richard Sugden Williams, Robert Willliams, Richard Sugden Jr. Delivet, Auguste |
Subjects |
Bands Music Music ensembles Musical instruments Orchestras Music industry Music stores |
Search Terms |
Charles Walters Dance Orchestra |