School Band

The caption reads: THE FAMOUS INDIAN BAND OF 1901.

This image appears in John N. Choate's Souvenir of the Carlisle Indian School (Carlisle, PA: J. N. Choate, 1902).

The male students of the band, posed with their instruments, seated and standing at the bandstand. The band director, James Riley Wheelock, is standing in the center at the front. 

In 1901 the Bureau of Indian Affairs contracted with the photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston to document the school at Carlisle for an exhibit…

A composite collection of individual portraits of the school band's members, each posed with their instrument. The only person identified is the Band Master, James Riley Wheelock. 

Note: It is not clear that this is the School Band. It may be the United States Indian Band, an independent band formed by J.R. Wheelock after he left…

The school band and students assembled in formation on the grounds of the central campus with the Dining Hall, Band Stand, and Girls' Quarters in the background. 

The school band and students assembled in formation on the grounds of the central campus with the Dining Hall, Band Stand, and Girls' Quarters in the background. 

There is no caption on the front of the postcard. On the back is an announcement of "Complimentary Concert by the Carlisle Indian Band," directed by Claude M. Stauffer and given to "Visiting Knights Templars" on May 29, 1907.

The program was as follows: "1. March, "Sir Knights" - Panella, 2. Overture - "Bronze Horse" - Auber, 3. Waltz…

The caption on this postcard reads: Indian School Band and Girls Quarters, Carlisle, PA.

The postcard was addressed to Mr. Chester Wleuau[?], Steelton, Pa.

The message reads: "Am staying near here for a few days. How's Steelton? Dutch"

The caption on the front of the postcard reads: Carlisle, Pa. Band and Battlion. Indian School.

The card has been addressed to Mr. Fred Bachman, Hazelton, Pa. The message reads: "I am glad to hear from you. There is a vacant chair in S. S. I hope it will soon be occupied by you. H. W. K."

The caption on the front reads: INDIA SCHOOL BAND AND GIRLS QUARTERS, CARLISLE, PA. There is also a hand-written "Sadie" right below the caption.

Although the postcard was never sent someone wrote a note on the back: "Well here is where I was to day am having a fine time Elsie got a fine piano hope you are all well Good…

The caption on the front of this postcard reads: BAND AND BATTLION, INDIAN SCHOOL, CARLISLE, PA.

The only words on the back are standardized directions for where to write a message and where to write the address.

An invitation for a series of exercises, performed by Carlisle Indian School students, which include industrial demonstrations, recitations, songs, drawings, and a debate.  The event was billed as a way to show "the capacity of the Indian to receive education," and was open to the general public.

Charles H. Thompson forwards an inspection report of the Carlisle Indian School on March 2, 1892. Thompson's report examines a wide range of topics related to the school including the buildings, health of students, food, student's social lives, industrial training, outings, and academic training.

Thompson also includes a number of…

This poster advertises the performance of Mary Kolbe, "the little nine year old elocutionist," who was assisted by the Carlisle Indian School Band.  The event was held at Bosler Hall at Dickinson College on February 8, 1896. 

The commencement program for the Eighteenth Anniversary and Ninth Graduating Exercises of the Indian Industrial School at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  The program includes a schedule of events as well as a photograph of the graduating class of 1897.

Augustine Mendoza informs the Office of Indian Affairs of actions taken by James Riley Wheelock regarding the Wheelock's United States Indian Band. William A. Mercer further comments on Wheelock's actions and advises the Office make Wheelock's actions known to agencies and schools to prevent it happening again.

The program for the Musicale, held by the Carlisle Indian Band and Girls' Mandolin Club.  A total of ten selections, plus the Star Spangled Banner, were performed under the direction of Claude M. Stauffer.  Photographs of both musical groups are featured on the program.

This program was distributed for the 1908 Commencement Exercises, which took place on Thursday, April 2nd. Inside features a portrait of Moses Friedman, the Superintendent, Francis E. Leupp, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Charles H. Dickson, the Supervisor-in Charge, as well as a portrait of the Class of 1908. Included is a full schedule…

These materials include correspondence regarding the Christmas festivities of 1908. The festivities included a lantern slide and moving picture film presentation of Hiawatha, various receptions, tree decorating, and entertainment.

Also included is a financial authority request for extra food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas…

This material includes correspondence between Superintendent Moses Friedman and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs concerning a request for the school band to attend the upcoming inaugural parade.

This material includes correspondence between Superintendent Moses Friedman and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs on the approval of the Indian School band to participate in the upcoming inaugural parade.

Program for the commencement concert on April 1, 1913 by the Carlisle Indian School band.

This material includes a letter as well as a flyer concerning the performance of the Carlisle Indian School band at the Belgian Relief Fund Benefit.

Naomi Greensky's program for the commencement concert on May 18, 1915 by the Carlisle Indian School band.

These materials include correspondence regarding the participation of the Carlisle Indian School band in the Preparedness Parade in Washington, D.C. The parade was designed to be a show of patriotism, and the Interior Department wanted to have a strong presence. Also included in the correspondence is a reply to a now-lost letter from Charles T…