Guitars were popular 150 years ago

Posted 5 August 2013 at 12:00 am

By Bill Lattin, Orleans County Historian

This picture was found in a family photo album in 1863. The two teen-agers here are not identified. However, it is safe to say the photo is of the Civil War era considering their appearance.

These two guitarists were photographed in the studio of George P. Hopkins, an Albion photographer who was working locally in the 1860s. The photographer’s name is printed on the back of the picture along with advertising, noting a large assortment of albums and frames are available.

It is interesting to note that playing guitars has never really gone out of style for over 150 years.