Appalachian History

“A discourse on The Use of Tobacco was delivered by evangelist M.S. Lemons and discussed by others. After due consideration this assembly agrees to stand, with one accord, in opposition to the use of tobacco in any form. It is offensive to those who do not use it; weakens and impairs the nervous system; is [...]

Please welcome guest author Dr. Jerry Bruce Thomas, Professor Emeritus from Shepherd University. In 2010, Dr. Thomas spoke in Marlinton, Lewisburg and Union, WV about a book called ‘West Virginia: A Guide to the Mountain State,’ published by the West Virginia Writers’ Project in 1941. During this lecture series, Dr. Thomas led community discussions about the [...]

There was a class that were ignorant and no-account. They never had much of a chance; you’ve got to say that for them. Once in awhile, one of them would sort of pull himself up by his bootstraps and make something of himself. He’d work hard enough and not give everything to his no-account relatives. [...]

“I like to garden and travel . . . I’m an outdoors person,” says Lura Stanley. “And so I don’t quilt in the summertime. Winter, when you have to stay in, when the roads are bad and the weather’s bad. That’s when I do my quilting . . . I sometimes quilt all day long [...]

Emmitsburg [MD] was a kid’s haven in the winter. With hills and ponds a many, it boasted some of the best sledding and ice skating around. While almost forgotten today, in younger days places like Bunker Hill, Havilah, and Popular Hill were names that every child knew. At any given time, thirty to forty sleds [...]