Post 5 - Foxfire Museum

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Foxfire Magazine, a collaborative effort of high school English students who wished to memorialize life in Southern Appalachia. "In 1972, an anthology of the student-written articles was gathered and published as The Foxfire Book" (pamphlet The Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center). After thirty years, 11 more books and a total of 8.5 million copies were sold, royalties from the book series were used to purchase land and fund the acquisition and construction of the 20+ log structures of the Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center. The Museum serves not only as an educational resource and tourist attraction, but as a tribute to the people and traditions of Southern Appalachia, and showcases the value some 140 students have held for their community, neighbors and families over the past half century.

A volunteer demonstrates how lye and pork lard were used to wash clothes.

But first, the pig scalder was used to dehair the swine.

There were so many unique crafts and wares. Rob was fascinated by the bark bags, made by a man who had learned from his grandfather, who had, in turn, learned from his father. The hand-made corn husk brooms were my envy for the day. These were intricately woven with elaborate handles and were made to last many, many years.

The kids were enamored by the button
and string thing-a-ma-jiggy.

Mason, of course, had to buy one for
his collection.

And as if he weren't tall enough, Rob had to try out the stilts.

Mom tried her hand at making the wooden
puppet dance on a board. Too much weight
on the board and he just wouldn't dance.

Wagon used on the Cherokee T rail of Tears

An old schoolhouse

A beautiful day spent honoring the life and legacies of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.