Archives of Appalachia

As ETSU’s Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we’re launching a weekly series of social media posts to highlight some of the Center’s contributions over the years.

Since its founding, the Center has remained committed to supporting research, education, preservation, interpretation, and community engagement. A significant expression of that commitment has been through the thousands of dollars the Center has awarded to support a range of projects.

One of the Center's first initiatives was to establish a grant program in 1984 that provided support to more than a dozen projects in each of its first two years, including:
- Providing programs on Appalachian culture to under-resourced public schools in east TN
- Providing culturally-specific training to rural healthcare providers to improve treatment programs
- Commissioning and purchasing regionally-specific art and material culture artifacts
- Creating documentaries on Appalachian history and culture
- Conducting surveys of regional historic sites
- Compiling accurate socio-economic data on counties in southern Appalachia

This initial program remained active for more than fifteen years, supporting over 100 scholarly and creative projects that contributed accurate data and nuanced and reliable representations of the region. It was augmented by additional grant programs such as a student scholarship, funded by the Reece Museum, that has supported Art, Design, and Museum Studies students since the 1980s.

Project support through the Center continues today. The Margaret Huffman Grant, active since 2019, has funded projects in public health, nursing, religious studies, environmental studies, veterans support, visual arts, music history, regional cartography, and more. The Institute for Appalachian Music and Culture has assisted in a range of musical research projects, including the String Band Summit, a gathering of string band scholars and performers first held in 2022.

Through these and other efforts, the Center remains steadfast in its commitment to support the highest quality of scholarly and artistic production in the region.

Searching for fall fashion inspiration? Look no further than our digital collection of ETSU yearbooks! https://dc.etsu.edu/yearbooks/

As ETSU’s Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we’re launching a weekly series of social media posts to highlight some of the Center’s contributions over the years.

In 2006, the Center's faculty and staff saw the culmination of more than ten years of work with the publication of the Encyclopedia of Appalachia (edited by Jean Haskell and Rudy Abramson). Supported by more than $400,000 in grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and others, the Encyclopedia was a comprehensive reference tool, including over 2,000 entries spread across thirty topical sections. The Encyclopedia was used by a range of audiences, including scholars, educators, policy makers, and students, and was well-received due to its accuracy, comprehensiveness, and broad scope.

In 2023, faculty and staff began the process of revising the Encyclopedia and transforming it into an open-access, online resource. Generous funding from the NEH and the ARC has enabled substantial progress on the project and allowed it to stay on track for completion in the late 2020s.

Happy Grandparents' Day from the Archives of Appalachia! We encourage everyone to reach out across generations young and old to share memories and stories about what makes life in Appalachia so special.

This photograph by Earl Carter is part of our Appalachian Farm Photographs digital collection. The original project was funded by a Tennessee Committee for the Humanities grant, and displayed in conjunction with “The American Farm: A Photographic History” exhibit in 1979. Explore the collection here https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/collections/show/146

As ETSU’s Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we’re launching a weekly series of social media posts to highlight some of the Center’s contributions over the years.

The Center has been fortunate to thrive under the leadership of five directors over the past 40 years: Dr. Richard Blaustein (1984-1993), Professor of Sociology and Anthropology; Dr. Jean Haskell (1993-2002), Professor of Sociology and Anthropology; Dr. Ted Olson (2002-2003), Professor of Appalachian Studies; Dr. Roberta Herrin (2004-2016), Professor of English and Appalachian Studies; and Dr. Ron Roach (2016-present), Professor of Appalachian Studies.

The Archives of Appalachia was deeply saddened by the recent passing of the great Betty Jean Hall (July 12, 1946-August 16, 2024), founder of the Coal Employment Project (https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/456) and fierce advocate for women miners' rights. We offer our condolences to Ms. Hall's family and friends.

In addition to information on Ms. Hall available through the Coal Employment Project Records linked above, obituaries for Ms. Hall are available through:
- The Daily Yonder (August 19): https://dailyyonder.com/obituary-betty-jean-hall-a-terror-to-the-nations-coal-companies/2024/08/19/
- The Washington Post (August 28): https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/08/28/betty-jean-hall-women-coal-mining/
- The New York Times (August 29):
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/29/us/betty-jean-hall-dead.html

As ETSU’s Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we’re launching a weekly series of social media posts to highlight some of the Center’s contributions over the years.

In 1982, musician and author Jack Tottle began teaching a series of bluegrass music courses in the ETSU Department of Music, the first such program of its kind in higher education. This innovative program closely collaborated with the Center, and Richard Blaustein - the first director of the Center from 1984-1993 - frequently taught and performed in the program.

The Center formally began administering the program in 1999 and added a minor in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies in the 2000s. In 2010 the minor expanded into a full undergraduate major in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies (now Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies) making ETSU the first university to offer such a degree.

112 years ago today: the cornerstone for the Washington County Courthouse was laid down! What do you know about the construction of buildings like the courthouse? Let us know!

Image taken from the James Agee Film Project Photographs, 1875-1856, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/3

Welcome back to school for students in the Washington County School System!

To celebrate, how about a look at some of the historic local schools in our collections?

Images taken from the Burr Harrison Photographs, c. 1881-1958, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/48

and from the Mildred S. Kozsuch Papers, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/425

Happy First Day of Classes! Wishing a smooth, easy semester for all of our students, faculty, and staff. In case you don't already know, we have monthly book recommendations and regularly updated exhibits available for view in our reading room. Find us in Sherrod 422!

Image courtesy of ETSU Photos on Flickr.

Did you know that Sidney Gilbreath, first president of East Tennessee State Normal School, was a wordsmith with a wonderful sense of humor? President Gilbreath wrote numerous eclectic articles for the Johnson City Press-Chronicle covering topics from “southern” biscuits to World War II. Check out these exciting and informative writings that allows provide a glimpse of life in Johnson City in the early 20th century here: https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/exhibits/show/writings-gilbreath.

Hey, new Bucs!!👋 We're so glad you're here! ETSU is going to give you tons of opportunities to craft an impactful college experience, and we hope that you take some of those opportunities.

Undergraduate research is just one way that you can discover your interests and make an impact on this community, and the Archives of Appalachia have helped plenty of students and hosted dozens of classes interested in learning about doing primary source research with our collections.

We have a broader range of materials than you might think, so stop by if you have any questions or ideas! We're always happy to help guide students looking to learn more about the area or who are doing their own research🫶
Image courtesy of ETSU Photos on Flickr.

As ETSU’s Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we’re launching a weekly series of social media posts to highlight some of the Center’s contributions over the years.

Each summer since 1987, the Regional Resources Institute has administered the month-long residential Governor’s School for Tennessee History & Environmental Studies. This program has introduced over 1,300 students to Tennessee’s cultural and natural history through a place-based and hands-on approach. Students experience Tennessee history through class lectures, research and writing seminars, hands-on activities, and field trips. Together, these introduce students to historic preservation, cultural interpretation, and histories of human interaction with the region’s natural environment.

More information on the Governor's School is available here:
https://www.etsu.edu/cas/cass/governors/

The Archives is celebrating the art of quilting with a physical exhibit featuring a Double Wedding Ring, Nine Patch, Basket, and Star quilts, various patterns, a vintage Singer Featherweight 221 sewing machine, and some of the Archives’ many audio and video recordings related to quilting This stunning and historical exhibit will be on display outside of the Archives’ reading room through the end of December, so come by and take a look

As ETSU’s Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we’re launching a weekly series of social media posts to highlight some of the Center’s contributions over the years.

In 1984, one of the Center’s first projects was launching Now and Then magazine, which featured articles, essays, poems, photographs, and other features by leading scholars and writers throughout the region. The magazine's editors included Fred Waage (1984-1986), Pat Arnow (1986-1994), Jane H. Woodside (1995-2004), Norma R. Wilson (2005), Fred Sauceman (2006-2015), and Randy Sanders (2016).

In 2021, the magazine relaunched as the online publication Appalachian Places (https://www.appalachianplaces.org/), edited by Rebecca Fletcher, Ron Roach, and Mark Rutledge, increasing the publication’s reach and enabling the incorporation of multimedia content.

"Gandy Dancers" working on railroad four miles from Jonesboro, Tenn., c. 1920"

Formally known as section hands, gandy dancers laid and maintained early railroads, before the work was taken over by machines. Gandy dancer crews often consisted of recent immigrants and ethnic minorities who worked for low wages and in difficult working conditions.

Most theories about the origin of the name refer to the dance-like movements of workers as they used a special 5 ft long "lining" bar (which came to be known as a gandy) to keep the tracks in alignment. Some theories suggest an Irish or Gaelic origin for the term, as most early northern rail workers were Irish.

Country singer Jimmie Rodgers was strongly influenced by the work songs of gandy dancers. His father, a section foreman, often brought his son to work as a water boy. There, Rodgers heard the songs that would later fuel his career and future status as the "Father of Country Music."

Image taken from the James Agee Film Project Photographs, 1875-1956, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/3

Continuing the celebration of new digital exhibits, the feature today is “To Bee or Not to Bee: Quilting Societies in Appalachia.” This exhibit features the Jonesborough Old Town Quilters Guild, as well as various recordings from the Archives of Appalachia depicting quilting bees in days gone by connecting the past to the tradition today. https://scalar.usc.edu/works/quilt/index

Do you enjoy taking pictures of your spouse and your pets?

Hugh L. White, whose collection this photo is from, definitely did! Here, he took a picture of his wife, Eliza (left) and an older woman who seems to be Eliza's mother. Among this collection's six hundred photo prints and negatives are photos depicting life in southern Appalachia, logging techniques, railway systems, and scenes of family life. He also photographed the town of Butler before it was flooded by the TVA in 1948.

Image taken from the Hugh L. White collection, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/105

The Archives is proud to announce several exciting new digital exhibits. Featured today is “Granny’s Box: The Story of Mollie Franklin Hensley.” This box, inherited by a granddaughter, is filled with exciting quilting, embroidery, and Prick and Pounce patterns, as well as quilt block and tatting samples, in vivid and beautiful colors from the 1930s. This is a tangible connection binding generations with a shared devotion to the timeless craft of quilting. Read Molly’s story here: https://scalar.usc.edu/works/grannys-box/index.

It's mating season for black bears -- keep an eye out and stay safe if you venture to Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Image taken from the Joseph Sargent Hall Collection, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/436

Henry Massengill brought his family west from North Carolina to the burgeoning Watauga Settlement in 1769. He was appointed to the Watauga Association in 1775, serving as one of the earliest forms of government in the state of Tennessee. His wife, Mary Cobb, was the sister of William Cobb. Cobb's primary residence at present-day Rocky Mount Historical site served as the capitol of the Southwest Territory in 1790.

Three of Henry and Mary's six children served in the Revolutionary Army. The oldest son, Michael, helped to found Grainger Co. and served as one of the early justices of the county court. Their second son, Hal, married William Cobb's daughter Penelope during the siege of Womack's fort. His grandson, Dr. Robert Massengill Porter, founded the medical department at the University of Nashville. Their youngest daughter, Mary, married silversmith William Atkinson. Atkinson and his brother were commissioned by Gov. Roane to make the first great seal of the State of Tennessee.

This statue was erected by Dr. Samuel Evans Massengil of Bristol, TN. He commissioned the monument to commemorate his great-great-grandfather and all other westward pioneers.

From 1937 to 1990, this monument once stood at the intersection of Roan Street and the Bristol Highway. According to the Washington County Archives, this monument now stands near the ballparks at Winged Deer Park.

Image taken from the Ridley Wills East Tennessee Postcard Collection, available here: https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/items/show/2309

Has anyone explored Wilbur Lake in Carter County?

Image taken from the Delbert W. Loudermilk Railroad Collection, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/457

Congratulations to our former Graduate Assistant, Emily Dingler on the new job!

Please welcome Emily Dingler as the new Audiovisual Materials Archivist here at the Outer Banks History Center. Emily received her Master’s of Arts Degree in Appalachian Studies from East Tennessee State University in 2022 and her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Media and Communication from East Tennessee State University in 2020. Emily is moving to the Outer Banks from Johnson City, Tennessee, but is a native of Onslow County, North Carolina. While living in Johnson City, Emily worked as a student worker and graduate assistant at the Archives of Appalachia from 2018-2022. She also spent time as an AmeriCorps Representative at the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site in 2023. When Emily is not working, she enjoys reading, hiking, and playing traditional Appalachian old-time fiddle.

We've got another gorgeous sunset for you!

We're not the only ones who thought it was remarkable, either. Delbert W. Loudermilk's lifelong interest in railroads began during his childhood in a West Virginia company town. Military service took him out of the town, but couldn't take out his love for railroads. He captured railroad scenes wherever he was stationed--from California to the Carolinas and eventually to Bristol, Tennessee.

You might notice the apparent absence of any railroads in this photo. Loudermilk might have frequented the East Tennessee Christian Home and felt moved by this vibrant, orangey sunset. Whatever the reason, it was significant enough to him to be documented and preserved.

Image taken from the Delbert W. Loudermilk Railroad Collection, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/457

Do you prefer watching sunrise or sunset? With all these photographs in our collections showing just how beautiful they both can be, we can't really decide! Let us know in the comments which one you prefer 👀

This postcard is part of a massive collection amassed by Ridley Wills. Over the course of almost 70 years, Wills amassed around 30,000 postcards from various locations in Tennessee. He donated around 1,300 of them to us! Now, we have a sizable collection showcasing landmarks from all over East Tennessee.

Image taken from the Ridley Wills East Tennessee Postcard Collection, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/779

The Archives will be closed to the public Thursday July 4 and Friday July 5.

We wish you all a happy holiday weekend.

This sunset looks just gorgeous, doesn't it? If we weren't already familiar with the area, this post card would absolutely get us to visit Jonesborough 😍

Image taken from the Mildren S. Kozsuch Papers, available here: https://archives.etsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/425

The Archives of Appalachia is proud to present a new digital exhibit: W.E.T.S. 89.5-Studio One—Local Music Throughout the Years. Drawn from the hundreds of Studio One recordings that have now been digitized by the Archives of Appalachia, this exhibit highlights some of the local and regional musicians who performed on the Saturday morning, live radio show. For nearly thirty years, the live broadcast was a highly anticipated part of Tri-Cities listeners' Saturday mornings. Now you can revisit highlights from some of your favorite local bands at the link below:

https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/exhibits/show/studio-one

At long last: summer!

The Archives of Appalachia will be "by appointment only" on June 20th and 21st. Please feel free to schedule an appointment on those days. Happy Solstice!