With the recent successful Back Home Festival coming to a close, one of the groups that performed, took time to admire some local history. Sarah Lee Guthrie and her daughter Robin and niece Serena, joined with the Wetzel Museum Director Dan Henthron in a moment holding two historical pieces of musical artifacts on stage.

The items came into the possession of the museum through a donation from a past member of the community, musical artist and Hall of Fame Inductee, Gary Eller. His career took him away from the community many years ago, but he still maintains contact and returns once a year to visit old friends and perform some of his famous home style music for friends and neighbors.

Gary’s love of music has always been part of his life, and upon retiring some years ago, he has embarked on his second career, playing music he has written. He takes his musical inspiration and words from his life’s travels, people he meets and life in Wetzel County. Gary will be returning this fall and plans to perform in the area.

On one of his recent return trips, he donated a violin and banjo to the museums. They were the property of Robert Lee Guthrie. He was born in 1865 and died in 1951. He lived on Tarpon Ridge. His family history is not known to cross with Woody Guthrie’s, but the fact they were owned by a member of the wider Guthrie family, sparked the curiosity and enthusiasm of Sarah Lee and her family.

The violin has all the ear markings of being hand created. The case looks to be carved from a single piece of wood, with tool marks still evident inside. The history may never be truly known, but it is for sure it brought much satisfaction to those who heard the sweet notes produced by both instruments.

Dan revealed that a descendent of Robert Lee Guthrie is working to put together the family. It may be revealed that somewhere in the past, the two-families may have crossed paths.

If you would like to see the historical instrument, along with the many artifacts inside the museum, stop by and visit. Curator Dan Henthron and his intern assistant, have recently instituted a dozen image projectors that tell the story of the different districts in the county.