This photo of the San Antonio Zither Club (1892) comes to us courtesy of the DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University. It is likely that the concert zither and its predecessors, such as the scheitholt, have been in the US since Germans landed on these shores. It wasn't until the 1870s, however, that zither clubs started to form, the first being the Detroit Zither Club (1877). Over the next several decades, zither clubs could be found in a significant number of major American cities.



DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, Ag2008.0005. ©

Organized by Prof. A. S. Hobile, July 1, 1892

Front Row L to R: Ms. E. Claus, Ms. A. Wehrlen, Ms. H. Heidrich, P. Kissling,
Prof. A. S. Hobile, Ms. A. Wach, Ms. S. Seffel, Ms. L. Seffel
Back Row L to R: Ms. O. Frebel, A. Lange, A. H. Piper, Ms. L. Wehrlen, B. Seffel,
Ms. M. Deuerling, J. Lahrmann, Ms. A. Ziemonteck, H. Franke



We extend our thanks to the DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University for sharing this image of the San Antonio Zither Club. Do you have a zither club photograph that you would like to share? If so, email dave@zither.us, or use the provided contact form.