Music Book

1855

Collection of the Springfield Art Association

This book belonged to the Edwards’ eldest daughter, Helen Maria, when she was a teenager. It is a bound compilation of several individual pieces of sheet music that reflect popular musical taste in antebellumSpringfield. The collection includes waltzes, polkas, and sentimental ballads. Helen would have not only performed piano solos, but also accompanied others or herself while singing, and provided music for dancing.