Milwaukee County Historical Society

Collections - Musical Instruments

Zither

Zither
MCHS Number: M1966.101.001

Dark brown wood and shaped portion lined by white wood (or ivory) as are the two holes which the twelve strings pass between. There are twelve keys of wooden (or ebony) material. There are three knobs on the bottom of the zither upon which it rests on a flat surface when played.

This zither has a manufacter's label on the inside of the rear wood panel, which reads: "Kelnhoffer's Patent Zitherin, Milwaukee, U.S.A.". The only Kelnhoffer's that is listed in the directories comes from Louis Kelnhoffer. The name of the business, its location, and the years it operated will be researched in the future.

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