Non-Profit Org. newground U.S. Postage Paid Mountain Heritage Center Cullowhee, NC newground Western Carolina University Permit No. 1 newground Cullowhee, NC 28723 828-227-7129 The Newsletter of the Mountain Heritage Center newground is published by the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina Vol. XI, No. 1 Spring 2006 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC University, Cullowhee, NC. Members of the Friends of the Center support group “A small gem of a museum” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution receive newground as part of their membership. Regular membership is $25 yearly. newground is printed in Cullowhee, NC. Entire contents copyrighted © 2006 by Western Carolina University. Address changes should be sent to the Programs That Come Mountain Heritage Center. The Appalachian Garden To You! Please note the post office will not forward this publication. ...A New Traveling Trunk Traveling Trunks The Mountain Heritage Center The Appalachian Garden traveling Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Institution. Portable trunks filled with books, touchable recently ‘planted’ a new traveling trunk, designed for 3rd grade 2,250 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $335, or samples, and curriculum-based activities. $0.14 per copy trunk program, designed for 3rd grade curriculum, is the latest addition to Available for 2-4 week loan periods. classes, that incorporates the natural the Center’s traveling trunk series. The Appalachian Garden— and cultural aspects of gardening. The Natural and cultural aspects of gardening Appalachian Garden traveling trunk 3rd Grade features curriculum-based activities,

A Day in the Life— hands-on exercises, experiments, Pioneer life in southern Appalachia definitions, diagrams, worksheets, and 4th Grade The Mountain Heritage Center website has a new look. crafts. Funding for the project came from the Smithsonian Community Check it out at http://www.wcu.edu/mhc/ Reading a Quilt— The diversity and history of quilts Grant program, funded by MetLife 4th Grade Foundation and administered by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling EXHIBITS—2006 NEW Traveling Programs Exhibition Service (SITES). Gallery A Gallery B Gallery C A main component of the traveling The one-hour programs include hands-on Migration of the Scotch-Irish People Grandma’s Attic After the War: Conflict and components, craft activities, and are trunk is the “science” of gardening. Traces this group of Appalachian settlers Discover what’s been stored for years! Domestic Change in the adaptable for grades 2-8. Science activities included range in from Ulster to Pennsylvania, the Shenandoah (A Mountain Heritage Center Exhibit) North Carolina Mountains scope from understanding decomposi- Photo by Leslie Costa Valley, and into Western North Carolina. January 22 - June 30 Through 2007 tion in the soil to the pollination of The traveling trunk is equipped with a collection of A permanent exhibit How wars and their aftermath have shaped Appalachian Pastimes How our ancestors passed children’s books and teacher resource materials and also (A Mountain Heritage Center Exhibit) flowers. Special equipment for class- includes a DVD entitled Plants and the Cherokee. Transformations: Cherokee Baskets in the lives of people and communities in the time on the back porch the Twentieth Century Western North Carolina. or out in the yard. room use includes a microscope to How the processes, materials and styles have (A Mountain Heritage Center Exhibit look at soil, flower, and insect parts; a On-Line Exhibits with support from the evolved during this time period. butterfly pavilion for pollinator obser- Other trunks, designed for 4th grade View these exhibits at North Carolina Humanities Council) Covering Up (Organized by the Asheville Art Museum and vation; and insect nets. curriculum, include Reading a Quilt http://www.wcu.edu/mhc/exhibits An introduction to the rich guest curator Sarah H. Hill) textile history of the southern Cultural activities are designed and A Day in the Life. For information July 17 – December 20 Appalachian region. around Cherokee-utilized plants and about reserving one of the Mountain •Watts in the Mountains: Rural Electrification New Light on Old in Western North Carolina traditional pioneer folklore activi- Heritage Center trunks, call Peter •Southern Appalachian Quilts Times ties based on planting by astrologi- Koch at 828.227.7129. •After the War An exploration of candles, lamps, cal signs. Participants also examine •Horace Kephart and lanterns. Experience tallow, “mystery artifacts” used on the farm beeswax, oil, and electric forms of lighting. by early settlers.

A Visit From NEW

/ The Mountain Heritage Center is open to the public free of charge. Visiting hours are A Civil War Soldier Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Center is also open on Sundays, 2 to 5 a close look at life in the 1860s. p.m., June through October. The Center does observe a university holiday schedule. ees

Ho urs Call 828-227-7129 or visit www.wcu.edu/mhc for more information. F JOIN YOUR FRIENDS who are helping accomplish Western North Carolina Craft Revival Friends this important work. The Mountain Heritage Center is one Friends of the Mountain Heritage of four partners working on an exciting Center I am enclosing a regular membership (tax-deductible) new grant project. Presentations The Western North Carolina Craft and Awards Encourage your friends and contribution of $25. Revival project will create a web-based family to help support one of history of a movement that took place the special programming I am enclosing $ tax-deductible gift in opportunities below. When 5 people donate in Western North Carolina from 1895 to Peter Koch and Suzanne McDowell, support of the ______1945. Known as the Craft Revival, its aim Mountain Heritage Center, along with $25 each 1-Support Family Programming was to revitalize skills and traditions and George Frizzell, Special Collections, it covers the cost designated Center program. provide much-needed income to moun- “Spring Into Summer” and of a monthly Hunter Library, presented a program “Arti-Facts!” are family-oriented tain artisans. To tell the story of the Craft I would like to know about volunteer opportunities. “The Enigma Revealed” at the annual programs that offer fun, educational, “Arti-Facts!” program Revival, the project will bring together North Carolina Museums Council hands-on learning. Your tax-deduct- for children. I have a new address a wealth of documents, letters, photo- conference on March 2 in Winston-Salem. ible contribution designated “ family graphs, oral histories, and objects that are The program described the development programming” can help us acquire the scattered throughout the region mostly in talented people and materials and implementation of the Horace Kephart Name______the smaller archival repositories of craft necessary to continue these events. website that debuted in 2005. For more schools, museums, and local historical so- Address______cieties. The final web site will be utilized information on the website that features artifacts and documents describing Names of all by anyone interested in learning about the City______history and process of handcraft, tourism Kephart’s significance to western North program sponsors and economic development, the aesthet- Carolina go to http://www.wcu.edu/library/ will be published, 2-Support an Exhibit ics of form, and western North Carolina digitalcoll/kephart/index.htm as desired, for the Our exhibits are always changing so Please make check payable to: history. Also at the NCMC conference, the duration of the people will have something new to see University Foundation, designating the Mountain Leading the project is visiting associ- museum and the Design Branch of the programs. and learn each time they visit. Your Heritage Center. Return to Mountain Heritage Center, ate professor Anna Fariello. Participating Office of Public Relations at WCU were tax-deductible contribution desig- partners include the John C. Campbell 150 HFR Bldg, WCU, Cullowhee, NC 28723. Contributions awarded the 2006 Publications Award nated “exhibits” can help fund exhibit fees and transport, educational Folk School, Penland School of Crafts, materials, consultants, researchers, duplication of photographic mate- are tax deductible as prescribed by law. for and Hunter Library’s Special Collections Best Educational Guide/Limited rials, and acquisition of artifacts. section. Color for the Mountain Heritage Center’s The Western North Carolina Craft Educational Program Guide. The guide our contributions in Revival grant is funded in part by a grant describes the variety and breadth of pro- support of Mountain Heritage of $85,000, renewable for three years grams available to regional adult and youth 3-Support a Public Program Interested businesses, YCenter programs are fully tax-deduct- for a potential total of $250,000, from groups. You may request a copy by calling The Center remains committed to offering our programming free of charge. However, the please contact the Terri ible. Not to be overlooked, however, the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, through the North Carolina State 828.227.7129. speakers, musicians, and craftspeople that bring McDermot for details is YOUR participation at our events. Library. Western Carolina University received the only Heritage Partners Grant awarded by special skills and talents to programming are on opportunities for Come visit often and bring your the State Library in 2005. paid. Your tax-deductible contribution corporate sponsorship friends. The Center is committed to designated “public programs” can help fund at (828) 227-3052. continuing its educational mission to these programs as well as special festivals, such promote public awareness of the rich as Mountain Heritage Day, that showcase a traditions of the mountains through Winter Gatherings Continue exhibitions, publications, educational programs and demonstrations. Western Carolina University decided to add a little warmth to the cold winter nights back in January by sponsoring a series of Mystery Artifact informal old-time and bluegrass music jam sessions. The events are open to pickers and singers of all ages and experience levels, Can you help us identify Last issue’s mystery artifact is still but also to those who just want to watch and listen. this artifact and what unidentified. Possibly a jeweler’s tool Jams occur on the first and third Thursday of each month, might have gone in it? or a vise January through April, in the Mountain Heritage Center The leather case is 38” stand? Made Auditorium. Music sessions at the beginning of the month open long (closed), 7” wide on of metal parts, each with a regional band. In addition to the Deitz Family band one end and 3” wide at the other. The case has a measures 5” (pictured right), other performers included The Fiddling Dills L x 5” H x Sisters with the Cullowhee Valley Boys, and the Bailey Mountain flap with a snap closure, a carrying handle, and 1.78” W. Trio. The Blue Ridge Rounders will be featured on April 6. From the removable cloth lining.

Photo by Leslie Costa George Satter Deitz Family of Tathams Creek perform at the Mountain Heritage Center. Send information about Collection from mystery objects on a postcard or email “[email protected]” Buncombe County, NC. For the latest information about Mountain Heritage Center exhibits Airing of the Quilts Calendar of Events and programs, call (828) 227-7129 or visit www.wcu.edu/mhc When quiltmakers Mary Marcella Howard McClure and Martha Ann McClure Killian completed their “Kentucky April— 7 Arti-Facts! 2:30-3:30 p.m. Jack Tales 10–14 Eco-Adventures – A Summer Rose” pattern quilt sometime between 1850 and 1875, they SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT: with Howard Allman. Reservations Camp focusing on the natural environ- must have been proud of their fine handiwork. But they prob- “Working the Land.” The role of required. ment. For rising 2nd and 3rd graders. ably did not expect that their quilt would one day be part of a farming in the past, present, and 21 Spring Into Summer. Nature’s Bounty: 8:30a.m. – noon. Plants in Medicine and Craft. 2:30- Crafts At the Center. 2-4:00 p.m. museum display. future of western North Carolina. 16 3:30 p.m. Reservations required. during the winter months, the “Kentucky Rose” was Arti-Facts! Clocks and Sundials. one of over forty quilts on display throughout the galleries 2 August— 2:30-3:30 p.m. Reservations required. June— SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT: and lobby of the Mountain Heritage Center. The “Airing of 4 Mountain People Folklife Series. SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT: “Stream of Life.” The natural and the Quilts” exhibit was comprised of donated quilts to the Presentation and film by Marc Pruett “Mountain Trout.” The 10,000-year- cultural history of Hazel Creek, an Mountain Heritage Center that span a twenty-five year period “Albert Burnette.” 5:30 p.m. MHC old story of people, trout, and flowing Appalachian watershed, from prehistory of collecting. Auditorium. water in the southern mountains. to the Tennessee Valley Authority. 5 Appalachian Cultural Lunchtime

Photo by Kathleen Collins Series. Mark Powell. Noon-1:00 p.m. 4 Arti-Facts! Rugmaking. 2:30-3:30 p.m. 6 Arti-Facts! 2:30-3:30 p.m. Reservations Suzanne McDowell, Peter Koch, and Leslie Costa prepare quilts for their winter airing. MHC Auditorium. Reservations required. required. 6 Winter Gatherings at the Mountain 11 Concert. After the War: Music of the 13 Crafts At the Center. 2-4:00 p.m. Heritage Center. Old Time Music and a number of public presentations and activities took 1940s. Bob Shaw and Janet Metzger. 20 Spring Into Summer. Stream explora- Bluegrass Concert featuring Blue 3:00-4:00 p.m. MHC Auditorium. tion. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Reservations place at the museum during the exhibit including: Ridge Rounders 7-8:00 p.m. 19–23 Mountain Mysteries – A Summer required. followed by Jam 8-9:00 p.m. Camp focusing on crafts, games, 27 Crafts At the Center. 2-4:00 p.m. •Quilt Discovery Day hosted by nationally-known quilt 14 CLOSED – Observance of Easter. and work skills of our Southern authority Merikay Waldvogel who viewed clues in family quilts. 20 Old Time Music/Bluegrass Jam. 7- Appalachian ancestors. For rising 4th Sneak peak at September— 9:00p.m. MHC Auditorium.. and 5th graders. 8:30a.m. – noon. SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT: •Presentation and Book Signing by folklorist Laurel 22 Earth Day Concert with Whitewater 25 Crafts At the Center. 2-4:00 p.m. “Bells in the Valley.” A centennial Horton, author of Mary Black’s Family Quilts: Memory and Bluegrass. UC Lawn. 26–29 Mini Camp for Middle Schoolers history of Western Carolina Meaning in Everyday Life. Listen to Laurel’s presentation at http:// 23 Spring Into Summer. Turtle Talks –A Summer Camp focusing on University. digitalheritage.org with Charles Green. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Cherokee culture. For rising 6th Reservations required. and 7th graders. 8:30 a.m. – noon. 3-4 CLOSED – Observance of Labor Day. Mountain People Folklife Series. •Quilting Demonstration by the Carolina Quilters. 27 30 Mountain Heritage Day. All-day festival Presentation by Lora Taylor and Mark July— on the grounds of Western Carolina Cantrell. 6:00p.m. MHC Auditorium. SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT: University.

•How to Preserve and Store Your Family Quilts a how-to of Photo by Leslie Costa “Migration of the Scotch-Irish storage methods by the Mountain Heritage Center staff. May— People.” Traces this group of Appa- Merikay Waldvogel examines one of the quilts brought in on Quilt Discovery Day. SLIDESHOW SPOTLIGHT: lachian settlers from Ulster to Penn- “After The War.” How Appalachian sylvania, the Shenandoah Valley, and communities and people are changed into western North Carolina. •Hard Times In The Mill: Working Lives Past and Present by war. a presentation by Roxanne Newton on the state’s rich 4 CLOSED – Independence Day OPEN - Special Hours 10-noon. textile heritage as told through the stories, songs, and 6 9 Crafts At the Center. 2-4:00 p.m.

people who worked in the mills. Listen to Roxanne’s presentation at http://digitalheritage.org A brief description of program offerings... Appalachian Cultural Lunchtime Series •The Great American Quilt Revival a new DVD programs are offered three times a co-produced by Bonesteel Films and quilt teacher Arti-Facts! is a cultural arts program Crafts At the Center is a series of semester at the noon hour. Bring your andauthor Georgia Bonesteel. The film previews and for kids that link old-time traditions demonstrations and hands-on activities own lunch and enjoy a pleasant hour of the past to the present. by regional artists. learning more about Appalachian people documents the people and events that propelled and places. Co-sponsored by Ron Rash, quilting from a folk craft to a mainstream art form. Spring Into Summer is a natural his- Appalachian Folklife Series programs Parris Distinguished Professor of tory program series for children and are offered during fall and spring Appalachian Cultural Studies. adults offered April - August. semesters. Public presentations emphasize Appalachian themes of Winter Gatherings offer musicians and For information about our Summer people and places. Co-sponsored listeners an opportunity to get together Camps,please visit the Center’s web by Dr. Ted Coyle, Department of to share tunes and toe tapping steps. site at www.wcu.edu/mhc. Anthropology and Sociology, and Dr. Jams are held January through April

Photo by Leslie Costa Tom Hatley, Sequoyah Distinguished on the first and third Thursdays in the Professor in Cherokee Studies. Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium. Carolina Quilters work on finishing the quilting on the Mountain Heritage Day commemorative quilt.