Jean Thomas Archives - Appalachian History

In August 1931, Jean Thomas & KY’s governor discussed the creation of an American Folk Song Society & an annual festival open to the public.

The shiny needle darted in and out of scallop and loop

Aunt Emmie, in clean starched apron and calico frock, sat for hours rocking contentedly while her fingers moved swiftly.

This ballad was composed by Peyton Buckner Byrne of Greenup, KY. The fire occurred in the 1880s in the song’s namesake mill town.

Jean Thomas ‘discovered’ him, became his agent, and rebranded him Jilson Setters, the Singin’ Fiddler of Lost Hope Hollow.

Robin Waggoner wrote most of the play about the life of the Ashland woman who started the American Folk Festival in 1930.