About P.S. Gilmore and Gilmore's Band, 1840 - 1979, bulk: 1858 - 1892
Scope and Contents
Collection documenting the life and music career of the nineteenth-century Irish-American band leader, conductor, and cornetist P.S. Gilmore. It also highlights the activities of the Patrick S. Gilmore Society, founded by Michael Cummings in Boston in 1968 or 1969. Materials assembled by Michael Cummings include correspondence, concert programs, Gilmore's cornet, photographs, lithographs, audio and visual recordings, and newspaper and magazine articles. Much of the material pertains to two large-scale musical events arranged by Gilmore—the National Peace Jubilee of 1869 and the World's Peace Jubilee of 1872—both held in Boston, Massachusetts. Materials on Gilmore and the Peace Jubilees are a mixture of original nineteenth-century items and reproductions created during Cummings's research.
Dates
- Creation: 1840 - 1979
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1858 - 1892
Creator
- From the Collection: Patrick S. Gilmore Society (Organization)
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Historical Note: "Gilmore's Band"
Gilmore led many bands over the years. They include:
1852-1858 - Gilmore led a succession bands in and around Boston: the Suffolk Brass Band; the Charlestown, Massachusetts Town Band; and the Salem Brigade Band.
1859-1862 - Gilmore led the Boston Brigade Band, which became known as "Gilmore’s Band". The entire band enlisted with the Union Army via the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers in 1861.
1863 - Gilmore was charged with reorganizing the Massachusetts military bands by the state governor.
1864 - Gilmore was sent to New Orleans to oversee music for the inauguration of Louisiana's new governor, Michael Hahn. This experience assisted his planning of the later Boston Jubilees.
1865-1872 - Gilmore returned to Boston, formed Gilmore and Wright, a musical instrument manufacturer, and organized the National and World Peace Jubilees.
1872-1892 - Gilmore moved to New York City and led the New York Twenty-second Regiment Band (also called "Gilmore’s Band").
Sources:
"Patrick Gilmore." Encyclopedia Britannica, accessed on April 13, 2026, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Patrick-Gilmore.
"Patrick Gilmore collection." University of Maryland Archives, accessed on April 13, 2026, https://archives.lib.umd.edu/repositories/4/resources/191.
Full Extent
9.75 Linear Feet (8 containers)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861
burns@bc.libanswers.com