Appalachian History

The [North Carolina Forest Service] offered me a job then, late that summer or early that fall. I went to work, I had a fancy title: in charge of visual education.

breakin up christmas house party color pencil

December 26, 2018 Appalachian music / Bluegrass / Christmas traditions / Virginia

Breakin’ up Christmas, for weeks!

The “Breakin’ Up Christmas” tradition is credited with originating in Northwest North Carolina and Southwest Virginia during the 1920s.

Cherry Tree Carol broadside with color illustration, 1909

December 24, 2018 Appalachian music / Christmas traditions / Hymns

The Cherry Tree Carol (abridged)

We might be better served to think of this 15th century English hymn as the “Cherry Tree Carols,” since it exists in many versions.

December 21, 2018 Appalachian music / Christmas traditions / Hymns / Kentucky

Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head

John Jacob Niles (1892-1980) began collecting Appalachian folk songs and composing music as a KY teenager.

December 20, 2018 Christmas traditions / Memoirs / West Virginia

We didn’t trim a tree at home; we didn’t have any trimming

The kids oohed at the sparkling rope & the red balls. Then they all approached the bare, green, beautiful tree. For a moment it was quiet.