The exhibit tells the story of American music
March 2024 – The Drew University Special Collections and University Archives has loaned an historic hymnal to the “Music America: Iconic Objects from America’s Music History” exhibit.
Curated by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University, the exhibit features objects and personal items that tell the history of American Music.
“The curator reached out to us in November asking if we could loan a hymnal for the exhibition,” said Candace Reilly, manager of Special Collections.
“They asked for an early American hymnal, and I thought our 1771 hymnal printed in Boston was a perfect fit.”
Reilly was right. The exhibit includes the very hymnal, The American Harmony: Royal Melody Complete.
The exhibit opened in February at the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum and will be open through mid-August. Following its residency at the LBJ Presidential Library, the exhibit will tour the country for several years.
In addition to Drew’s item, the exhibit also includes memorabilia from artists like Leonard Bernstein, Chuck D, Woody Guthrie, Madonna, Elvis Presley, and Taylor Swift.
