This Week at The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

Apr 27, 2017 at 11:00 AM - SCHOLARS and SCONES:  The Steel Rails That Opened the High Country. Join Johnny Graybeal as he tells the story of the ET and WNC and the little engine known as "Tweetsie"; The railroad that transformed the High Country of Western North Carolina.

One hundred years ago the Lost Provinces of northwestern North Carolina were somewhat isolated from the rest of the country. It took steel rails coming from East Tennessee to open up the area to the outside world. The narrow gauge East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad and its sister company, the Linville River Railway, eventually connected Johnson City, TN, with the North Carolina towns of Elk Park, Newland, Linville, Foscoe, Shulls Mills, and Boone. Best known by its nickname "Tweetsie", this little train wound its way along rivers and ridges, and into the hearts of the people it served.

Economics and floodwater closed the railroad, but it came back as a theme park tourist attraction. Come hear the story of how a little train changed the destiny of the High Country forever The talk will be accompanied by locally-baked goods and coffee from Boone-based Hatchet Coffee Company.

The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is located at 159 Chestnut Street in Blowing Rock NC.

Blowing Rock Art and History Museum Presents Creepy Crafts and Fall Fables: Hainted Yarns from Near and Far

October 25 at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, 159 Chestnut Street,| Blowing Rock NC - Fall Fables: Hainted Yarns from Near and Far bring you Spooky Stories from the mountains, told by Sherry Lovett.  The thing that draws Sherry to storytelling is the magical ability of stories to shine the light on our interrelatedness – the connection of people with people and people with nature – and by this awareness to create more harmony in the world. Sherry Lovett tells a variety of stories including folktales, Native American tales, scary stories, and fairy tales, using precise language, eloquent movement, and dramatic voices to bring the stories to life.

Creepy Crafts - Create some holiday crafts from 2 PM - 3 PM after listening to some spooky stories and before heading out to the Town's Halloween festivities.

The Carolina Mountains: Photography of Margaret Morley Exhibit at The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum in Blowing Rock

February 21 at The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM)  Come see the newly painted gallery and "The Carolina Mountains: Photography of Margaret Morley"  exhibit of more than 50 photographs from the North Carolina Museum of History's collection.

These hauntingly beautiful images depict everyday life and the natural beauty of western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit, made possible in part by a grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, will be displayed at BRAHM through April 25, 2013.

Heritage Weekend at the Folk Art Center

A whimmy diddle is an
Appalachian mountain toy
made of two wood sticks

September 15 - 16  at the Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville NC - Heritage Weekend is a two-day celebration of traditional crafts and music.

The 32nd free festival is sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features traditional music, dancing and heritage craft demonstrations. A highlight of the weekend is the 32nd Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday, 2:00-3:00 PM. Joe “Colonel Buncombe” Bly will emcee the competition.

Apple Chill Cloggers

During Heritage Weekend, visitors learn from area experts about beekeeping, rifle making, coopering, heritage toy making, natural dyeing, spinning, quilting, whittling, print making and furniture making. Other highlights include sheep shearing demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday. The entertainment schedule is jam-packed with regional musicians on both days.

Quilting and heritage Crafts at the Franklin Folk Festival

July 21  9th Annual Franklin Folk Festival   More than 100 living exhibits and demonstrations allow visitors to experience what mountain life was like way back when. These folks learned at their parents’ knee woodcarving, moon shining, basket making, weaving and spinning, and all the many other things they’ll be demonstrating.
Exhibits include everything from quilting and moonshinin' to Civil War reenactors. Activities get underway at 9:00 AM and conclude with Pickin' on the Square in the evening.

This year a special event, the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Franklin Fire Department, will held in collaboration with the festival and will feature booths, speakers, games, and vintage trucks, equipment and memorabilia. There will be antique Fire Engines on Display along the west end of Main Street plus an old fashioned bucket brigade challenge and other games & contests for all ages. The Fire Department Celebration area will kick off at 11:00 AM. in front of Macon Bank with greetings from the NC State Fire Marshal, Wayne Goodwin.

Get a link for more details about the Franklin Folk Festival and Franklin cabin rentals, restaurants and attractions on the Franklin NC Visitor Guide.

Scholarships for Appalachian Studies offered by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Inc. a Jackson County Heritage nonprofit organization is offering three opportunities for a scholarship in the amount of $500 for “Appalachian Studies,” to be presented to three deserving seniors within four western NC counties: Jackson, Swain, Haywood and Macon.

The Appalachian Studies program provides an opportunity to study the Appalachian region through the social and biological sciences, humanities, culture and applied arts. Students become well equipped in better understanding and promoting regional development. Scholarships support the study of art, writing, music, craftsmanship, literature, history, vocational, education, social work, human services all with intentions of producing an understanding that is supportive of regional pride and identity of the Appalachian people.

Applicants must submit an application and all supporting documents to the Guidance Counselor of the applicant’s school by April 20, 2012 in order to be considered for 2012. Home schooler applicants should complete the application and send it to CSA, 29 Regal Avenue, Sylva, NC 28779 by April 20, 2012. The application packet may be downloaded by going to website: www.spiritofappalachia.org. For more information, call 828-631-4587.