Harry Piers: Museum Maker

Notes from Piers Accession Book: Photograph of John Stanley Jones, Mus. Bac., violin maker and repairer, and organist, at work on a violin at his house at Kline Heights, near Armdale, Halifax County, Nova Scotia; 25 August 1932. Two of the negatives show... The stringed violin he has in his hand in three of the negatives is one which belongs to his daughter, and which []

Mr. Jones has been known for many years as a maker and repairer of violins, and it is probable that he was the first violin maker in Halifax or even in Nova Scotia; and he is a well known and somewhat eccentric character, and possesses much knowledge of the history of fiddles. He was born at Everton, Liverpool, England, on 9 March 1860, and is now over 72 years of age. He visited Halifax in 1875, for a very short time and then went right back to England. In 1879 (age 19 years) he finally came to Halifax and settled there, being manager or agent of the Gates Organ and Piano Company (Gates Brothers), the two members of [this] firm residing in Truro, Nova Scotia. Later he established a musical shop of his own.

View complete entry from the Harry Piers Accession Book

Date Accessioned: 31 August 1932

Photographer: Gauvin and Gentzel

Reference: Harry Piers number 7479  Nova Scotia Archives Photograph Collection Handicrafts: Violins (2) /  negative: N-173