1890
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1924
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1937
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1950
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History of the Adelphi Band Uniforms
NOTE: page is a work in progress.
Introduction:
There is now so much information available about the band's uniforms over the years, plus pictures, that creating a dedicated web page just for this topic was thought to be the best way to go. The pictures themselves justify needing to be large enough to see the amazing detail without squinting, and they franky deserve this much respect.
As continued research reveals additional information and pictures, everything will be added here.
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However, a note of explanation needs to be inserted here.
For many of these pics, there were absolutely no dates listed on the actual pictures as to when and where they were taken. And even if there were, we have often found in numerous other instances that these personal notes were clearly incorrect.
So, in the absence of even that minimal amount of documentation, we have often had to rely on a number of different sources in order to try to assign at least some identification and chronology to the pictures. We have done the best that we can on this matter based on the information available to us to date.
If, ultimately, someone can conclusively prove that any of these pics have been misidentified in any way, then we will gladly adjust the web page information accordingly.
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Now, just relax and take a step back in time.......
As continued research reveals additional information and pictures, everything will be added here.
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However, a note of explanation needs to be inserted here.
For many of these pics, there were absolutely no dates listed on the actual pictures as to when and where they were taken. And even if there were, we have often found in numerous other instances that these personal notes were clearly incorrect.
So, in the absence of even that minimal amount of documentation, we have often had to rely on a number of different sources in order to try to assign at least some identification and chronology to the pictures. We have done the best that we can on this matter based on the information available to us to date.
If, ultimately, someone can conclusively prove that any of these pics have been misidentified in any way, then we will gladly adjust the web page information accordingly.
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Now, just relax and take a step back in time.......
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1890:
Even though several local histories state that Adelphi had a band as early as 1873, the band has generally officially, and more commonly, held to a start date of 1880.
The picture below has been cited in numerous magazine and newspaper articles as being dated from 1890, ten years after the start of the band. The exact location of the picture is unknown.
There are so many details that can be examined from this picture, and so much to learn from them.
There are now well over 3,000 pictures of the band elsewhere on this website. There are actually now many more than 3,000, but I quit keeping track once I reached that figure. And the thing I point out when the discussion of band uniforms comes up, is that of all the pictures we have of the band taken over 143 years, there isn't a single band picture where everyone is wearing the same outfit.
This picture is no different. There are clearly several different uniform styles seen here.
From my experiences, and to the band's credit, they always welcomed musicians to sit in with them in performances.
Some of these musicians may even have "sit in" with the band periodically over a several year period and never had anything close to a complete uniform, But they were always welcome.
In our time and in our travels, we have found that the people who like the same music that the Adelphi Band musicians like, are a dedicated lot.
One of the many interesting details that is often overlooked by someone looking at this picture for even the first few times, is the band wagon in the background (left).
The stories are consistent that this band wagon did not last long. It was subsequently dismantled and the pieces used on a local farm.
The picture below has been cited in numerous magazine and newspaper articles as being dated from 1890, ten years after the start of the band. The exact location of the picture is unknown.
There are so many details that can be examined from this picture, and so much to learn from them.
There are now well over 3,000 pictures of the band elsewhere on this website. There are actually now many more than 3,000, but I quit keeping track once I reached that figure. And the thing I point out when the discussion of band uniforms comes up, is that of all the pictures we have of the band taken over 143 years, there isn't a single band picture where everyone is wearing the same outfit.
This picture is no different. There are clearly several different uniform styles seen here.
From my experiences, and to the band's credit, they always welcomed musicians to sit in with them in performances.
Some of these musicians may even have "sit in" with the band periodically over a several year period and never had anything close to a complete uniform, But they were always welcome.
In our time and in our travels, we have found that the people who like the same music that the Adelphi Band musicians like, are a dedicated lot.
One of the many interesting details that is often overlooked by someone looking at this picture for even the first few times, is the band wagon in the background (left).
The stories are consistent that this band wagon did not last long. It was subsequently dismantled and the pieces used on a local farm.
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6-15-1896, Chillicothe Gazette:
The members of the Adelphi Brass Band are now supplied with new uniforms. They will be seen for the first time at the Red Men’s Picnic at Brundige’s Grove near Kingston on the 25th. They are gray in color and trimmed with a dark, mohair braid.
The members of the Adelphi Brass Band are now supplied with new uniforms. They will be seen for the first time at the Red Men’s Picnic at Brundige’s Grove near Kingston on the 25th. They are gray in color and trimmed with a dark, mohair braid.
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1903:
Credited to this date.
There was a time in the band's history where there were so many musicians with the name of "Bowsher", still a fairly common name in the Adelphi area, that the band was named accordingly.
After all, we have found that Bass Drums do not lie!
Credited to this date.
There was a time in the band's history where there were so many musicians with the name of "Bowsher", still a fairly common name in the Adelphi area, that the band was named accordingly.
After all, we have found that Bass Drums do not lie!
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1924:
In 1924, the band was encouraged to "reorganize" under the Adelphi K of P Lodge.
K of P stands for "Knights of Pythias".
https://www.pythias.org/
There are very few details currently available as to what this "reorganization" really meant, and the few that are available are mostly contradictory.
Regardless, the picture below is credited as being from 1924.
This reorganization under the K of P lodge apparently did not last long as newspaper articles as early as 1925, the very next year, referred still to the "Adelphi Band".
The Adelphi Knights of Pythias Lodge is no longer around.
1925 Newspaper ad about the "Adelphi Band"
K of P stands for "Knights of Pythias".
https://www.pythias.org/
There are very few details currently available as to what this "reorganization" really meant, and the few that are available are mostly contradictory.
Regardless, the picture below is credited as being from 1924.
This reorganization under the K of P lodge apparently did not last long as newspaper articles as early as 1925, the very next year, referred still to the "Adelphi Band".
The Adelphi Knights of Pythias Lodge is no longer around.
1925 Newspaper ad about the "Adelphi Band"
As a continuation of this specific entry, sadly, one of the band's most senior musicians passed away in late 2023. At the time of his passing, he had @ 75 years playing in the band!
What a remarkable record.
As the family was clearing out his estate, they ran across many band related items that they have been most gracious to let me examine and scan as necessary in order to continue to grow this band web site as an historical library on one of the oldest community bands in the nation.
Incredibly, one of the items they found was a coat from the 1924 Adelphi Knights of Pythias Band!
This first picture (below) is a hand written note by the wife one of the 3 musicians we know who joined the band in 1924. The note was found hanging with the coat.
SInce this coat was offered to me for examination in early 2024, that meant that I was looking at a band uniform item from 100 years ago! What an amazing find, and certainly MANY thanks to the family for allowing me to borrow it for a time.
What a remarkable record.
As the family was clearing out his estate, they ran across many band related items that they have been most gracious to let me examine and scan as necessary in order to continue to grow this band web site as an historical library on one of the oldest community bands in the nation.
Incredibly, one of the items they found was a coat from the 1924 Adelphi Knights of Pythias Band!
This first picture (below) is a hand written note by the wife one of the 3 musicians we know who joined the band in 1924. The note was found hanging with the coat.
SInce this coat was offered to me for examination in early 2024, that meant that I was looking at a band uniform item from 100 years ago! What an amazing find, and certainly MANY thanks to the family for allowing me to borrow it for a time.
BELOW: Insignia from the coat collar. That's a wooden snare drum in the background. That is maybe another story for later.
BELOW: Front of the band jacket.
BELOW: Back of the coat and sleeves.
BELOW: Entire back of the coat.
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9-29-1924, Chillicothe Gazette:
The Adelphi Band now has 33 members and is making good progress. Arrangements are now being made to secure uniforms for it.
The Adelphi Band now has 33 members and is making good progress. Arrangements are now being made to secure uniforms for it.
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1937:
This is credited as being taken in 1937 in observance of the Hallsville Centennial. Hallsville is another small town just a few miles west of Adelphi.
These pictures were taken just on the east side of town on State Route 180,walking west into town. The farm seen in the background is still there but the barn is not.
These pictures were taken just on the east side of town on State Route 180,walking west into town. The farm seen in the background is still there but the barn is not.
(Below: Notes from the back of the bottom of the two pictures)
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1940:
Or at least credited to be from around that time. Location unknown at this point.
Or at least credited to be from around that time. Location unknown at this point.
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1946:
Credited to be at the Hallsville Memorial Day Observance, marching to the local cemetery.
The normal practice for many decades is that there would be a program in one of the Hallsville churches in the morning. Then, at the conclusion of the program, everyone was invited to join the band and march to the Hallsville cemetery where the program would conclude with the band playing song songs in the center of the cemetery.
This picture looks to have been be taken on the west side of town, on State Route 180, and approaching the Hallsville cemetery.
Credited to be at the Hallsville Memorial Day Observance, marching to the local cemetery.
The normal practice for many decades is that there would be a program in one of the Hallsville churches in the morning. Then, at the conclusion of the program, everyone was invited to join the band and march to the Hallsville cemetery where the program would conclude with the band playing song songs in the center of the cemetery.
This picture looks to have been be taken on the west side of town, on State Route 180, and approaching the Hallsville cemetery.
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Picture provided by John Cryder.
Said to be from 10-22-1946.
Said to be from 10-22-1946.
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1950:
This picture was originally thought to be from 1930.
However, our most senior musician has stated that this was actually from around 1950, and that he is one of the musicians in the picture
The uniforms are blue with white belts. We appreciate his correction of the earlier information.
This picture was originally thought to be from 1930.
However, our most senior musician has stated that this was actually from around 1950, and that he is one of the musicians in the picture
The uniforms are blue with white belts. We appreciate his correction of the earlier information.
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1950:
Credited to be from 1950 based on the hand written date on the back of the picture.
This picture was taken at the Hallsville church on the west side of town, and close to the curve in the road on State Route 180. There is another church farther east in town and the Memorial Day observance would usually rotate between te two churches.
It is a good guess that this was taken for the Hallsville Memorial Day observance where there would be a program at the church before the parade to the local cemetery farther west of town. The band generally played outside for 30 minutes or so prior to the start of the program in the church.
The church is still there, although it has changed denominations a couple times or so since this date.
Credited to be from 1950 based on the hand written date on the back of the picture.
This picture was taken at the Hallsville church on the west side of town, and close to the curve in the road on State Route 180. There is another church farther east in town and the Memorial Day observance would usually rotate between te two churches.
It is a good guess that this was taken for the Hallsville Memorial Day observance where there would be a program at the church before the parade to the local cemetery farther west of town. The band generally played outside for 30 minutes or so prior to the start of the program in the church.
The church is still there, although it has changed denominations a couple times or so since this date.
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1952:
This picture was taken inside the Gymnasium of the Adelphi School. Everyone was dressed in uniform specifically to take the picture. When I started with the band in 1967, this is where we practiced.
In the late 1960's, the Adelphi school merged with Kingston and Centralia to form the Zane Trace Local School District. That school district still exists.
The building was later taken over by the city of Adelphi and became their fire department, a voting precinct for a time, and a community center.
In the late 1960's, the Adelphi school merged with Kingston and Centralia to form the Zane Trace Local School District. That school district still exists.
The building was later taken over by the city of Adelphi and became their fire department, a voting precinct for a time, and a community center.
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1954:
This picture is credited to be from 1954 from the occasion of the Adelphi Centennial.
However, 1954 was the year of Adelphi's Sesquitennial,not their Centennial.
However, 1954 was the year of Adelphi's Sesquitennial,not their Centennial.
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1960:
This picture is credited to be from May 1960 and was apparently taken at the Hallsville Cemetery for their Memorial Day observance. The practice of Hallsville for Memorial Day for many decades was that there would be a program held in the morning at one of the two churches in Hallsville. The program would alternate between the two churches from year to year.
Then, after the program there would be a parade on State Route 180 from that church to the Hallsville cemetery where the band would then play while standing around the soldier's monument at the center of the cemetery. Everybody was invited to march along with the band from the church to the cemetery.
Often, the band would play a march for the participants in the parade while on the on the road, but switch to a more solemn version of "Onward Christian Soldiers" once it entered the cemetery.
The program would often conclude with one of the Trumpet players playing "Taps", often with another Trumpet player standing some distance away and providing an echo to the song. Then the band would play the "Star Spangled Banner" and everyone would be dismissed.
Then, after the program there would be a parade on State Route 180 from that church to the Hallsville cemetery where the band would then play while standing around the soldier's monument at the center of the cemetery. Everybody was invited to march along with the band from the church to the cemetery.
Often, the band would play a march for the participants in the parade while on the on the road, but switch to a more solemn version of "Onward Christian Soldiers" once it entered the cemetery.
The program would often conclude with one of the Trumpet players playing "Taps", often with another Trumpet player standing some distance away and providing an echo to the song. Then the band would play the "Star Spangled Banner" and everyone would be dismissed.
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1965:
This picture is credited to have been taken in October 1965.
For a time, the Pumpkin Show offered the opportunity to have your band line up on these same steps and have an "official" picture taken. This general area is where the parades both started and ended.
Note that this style of uniform is decidedly different than the one shown in the 1952 picture.
The uniform style shown here was the one kept until @ 2022 when the reluctant decision was made that they were just way too expensive to try to continue with, and the band went with the more traditional white shirt and black pants.
This picture was actually taken while the band was standing on the steps of the church located at the corner of Pickaway Street and Main Street in Circleville.
The church is still there.
For a time, the Pumpkin Show offered the opportunity to have your band line up on these same steps and have an "official" picture taken. This general area is where the parades both started and ended.
Note that this style of uniform is decidedly different than the one shown in the 1952 picture.
The uniform style shown here was the one kept until @ 2022 when the reluctant decision was made that they were just way too expensive to try to continue with, and the band went with the more traditional white shirt and black pants.
This picture was actually taken while the band was standing on the steps of the church located at the corner of Pickaway Street and Main Street in Circleville.
The church is still there.
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Chillicothe Gazette, 5-6-1973
The volunteer tunesters are in great demand and their fees are added to the band “kitty”. Each member owns his own uniform, for which the treasury furnishes part of the purchase price. Other than some percussion pieces, the players also provide their own instruments.
The volunteer tunesters are in great demand and their fees are added to the band “kitty”. Each member owns his own uniform, for which the treasury furnishes part of the purchase price. Other than some percussion pieces, the players also provide their own instruments.
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Chillicothe Gazette, 10-17-1973:
During the current band's early days, the all wool uniforms cost about $20.00, but the ensembles are now about 80, one member ruefully noted.
During the current band's early days, the all wool uniforms cost about $20.00, but the ensembles are now about 80, one member ruefully noted.
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Chillicothe Gazette, 2-27-1980
One former Director was so proud of the unit he was buried in his uniform.
One former Director was so proud of the unit he was buried in his uniform.
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Chillicothe Gazette, 2-28-1980:
We've always been on our own, buying our music, uniforms, and providing our own transportation, mostly in private cars.”
We've always been on our own, buying our music, uniforms, and providing our own transportation, mostly in private cars.”
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Chillicothe Gazette, 2-28-1980:
In natty dark uniforms, the band has traditionally performed for the Piketon Dogwood Festival, Adelphi Balogna Festival, Ross County and Fairfield County Fairs, Hallsville-Tarlton Fish Fry, McArthur 4th of July celebrations, Circleville Pumpkin Show, Kingston Geranium Festival, Clarksburg Field Day, Ashville, Adena and Laurelville Parades, and has given old-time summer concerts in Yoctangee Park.
In natty dark uniforms, the band has traditionally performed for the Piketon Dogwood Festival, Adelphi Balogna Festival, Ross County and Fairfield County Fairs, Hallsville-Tarlton Fish Fry, McArthur 4th of July celebrations, Circleville Pumpkin Show, Kingston Geranium Festival, Clarksburg Field Day, Ashville, Adena and Laurelville Parades, and has given old-time summer concerts in Yoctangee Park.
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1980:
This was the official picture taken of the band playing on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington DC in June 1980 in observance of the band's 100th anniversary.
This was the official picture taken of the band playing on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington DC in June 1980 in observance of the band's 100th anniversary.
1980:
A color picture of the band from in front of the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington DC
A color picture of the band from in front of the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington DC
1980:
A color picture from the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington DC
A color picture from the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington DC
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Spring 1986, Pickaway Quarterly:
Mr. Hinton tells of the story about the time they played for a social at Rockbridge. A part of the activities of the social was a foot race, and knowing that one of the band members, Delano Hayes was extremely fleet of foot, talked him into entering the race. Since he did not have any running gear with him, he borrowed a pair of running shoes, took off his band jacket, rolled up his band uniform trousers, and proceeded to win the race over all the contestants.
Mr. Hinton tells of the story about the time they played for a social at Rockbridge. A part of the activities of the social was a foot race, and knowing that one of the band members, Delano Hayes was extremely fleet of foot, talked him into entering the race. Since he did not have any running gear with him, he borrowed a pair of running shoes, took off his band jacket, rolled up his band uniform trousers, and proceeded to win the race over all the contestants.
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2015:
This picture was taken on Memorial Day 2015 in Hallsville,Ohio in front of the old Schoolhouse on State Route 180 on the east side of town. A more relaxed uniform look for the summer heat.
From here, the Memorial Day observance was preparing to parade to the Hallsville Cemetery for the conclusion of the ceremony which started at a church farther east of town.
This picture was taken on Memorial Day 2015 in Hallsville,Ohio in front of the old Schoolhouse on State Route 180 on the east side of town. A more relaxed uniform look for the summer heat.
From here, the Memorial Day observance was preparing to parade to the Hallsville Cemetery for the conclusion of the ceremony which started at a church farther east of town.
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END