The songs presented on this CD come from a series of programs given by the Harvey Tavern Singers in the ballroom of the Matthew Harvey Homestead. The Homestead, built in 1787, is notable not only for its classical colonial architecture, but also as the childhood home of New Hampshire Governor Matthew Harvey II (1782-1866) and his brother, Congressman Jonathan Harvey (1780-1859). Prior to about 1850, the Harvey farmhouse was a center of social activity, serving as a tavern for travelers between Concord and Hanover, and as host to the annual military drills known as musters. The Harveys were a musical family, and their upstairs ballroom was the site of dances and musicales.

In 1996, a Director of the Farm Museum, Carlton Bradford, discovered a volume of popular British songs, published in 1825 and entitled The London Minstrel. The well-worn book was discovered inside the built-in benches of the Harvey ballroom during renovations. As a tenor and historian, Carlton realized that the book represented a program in the making. Calling themselves the Harvey Tavern Singers, Carlton and four friends began a musical group and presented their first musicale in 1997. First the focus was on 18th century pieces from The London Minstrel, but it soon was expanded to include mid-19th century American material - Civil War songs and songs of Stephen Foster. The group has tried to recreate the popular music of earlier eras, and music actually performed in all likelihood in the Harvey ballroom.

Members of the Harvey Tavern Singers are: Cindy Johnson (soprano), Carlton Bradford (tenor), Martha Woodward (flute), Fred Ogmundson (bass,  piano) and George Howe (tenor).