Appalachian History

I was borned right here in these mountains, and since I was a boy I’ve knowed ever trail within twenty-five mile. My pappy were a gunsmith afore me and he teached me the trade. Pappy were the best gunsmith in four counties, and I wouldn’t swap one of them ole muzzle-loaders fer all the britch-Ioading [...]

Tennesseans called it the “la-la.” Elsewhere known as the john, the shanty, the shack, the throne, the shed, the relief office—it was the humble outhouse. The little buildings “out back” were as important as any building built before indoor plumbing. This was the building you located as soon as possible when you came to visit, [...]

Caption to the photo reads: “Pike County, Kentucky. Mother of two children (husband is tubercular and bed ridden) supports her family and buys necessary medical supplies with her WPA wages.” Goodman-Paxton Photographic Collection, 1934-1942University of KentuckyDigital ID: kukav:64m1:833 Pike+County Kentucky WPA +appalachia appalachian+history history+of+appalachia Tweet Send to Kindle

“Aunt Betty Arnett lived 87 years of her life unable to read or write; she lives far back at the headwaters of Licking River in Magoffin County, KY. She is now doing well in the first grade in literacy classes offered in the mountains.” Photo caption by George Goodman 1939 photo describes ‘The Education Project,’ [...]