In this interview, retired teacher, Juanita Metcalf, talks about growing up in a family where quilting was a tradition. She tried many different crafts herself, but fell in love with quilting after attending a quilting show. Juanita is self-taught…
Clifford Cotton talks about his grandfather, Edward. W. Pearson, who founded the Burton Street community and started the Buncombe County District Agricultural Fair to celebrate the African American agricultural community of Asheville. E. W. Pearson…
Bill Crawford is a lifelong resident of Jackson County and a historian at the Jackson County Genealogical Society. Born in 1935, Crawford reflects on the Flood of 1940 and the devastation caused by it and its related waterspouts. He discusses the…
Jason Gregory, a lifelong resident of Jackson County, talks about its earliest industries including why so many northern industries came to and then failed in the area. He talks about the history of Blackwood Lumber Company and its positive effects…
Ann Melton is a native of Jackson County and has written fourteen books about western North Carolina, including her 2019 book entitled "The History of Blackwood Lumber Company: East LaPorte, North Carolina and the Flood of 1940." She discusses her…
Debbie Nix, who attended Western Carolina University from 1966 - 1970 and was involved in the Women's House Government, talks about campus living and social life during this time. She shares her perspective as a female student on a campus with gender…
Nick Taylor discusses social and political life on campus in the midst of the Vietnam War and how his experiences shaped his life after college. He attended Western Carolina University from 1963 - 1967 and was a member of the Men
Bob Thomas, who attended Western Carolina University from 1966 - 1970, discusses being a member of the Men's House Government and his time and involvement in student activities on campus with the Vietnam War in the background of his experience. He…
Mayor Pat Taylor discusses working in Highlands' hotels before and after the purchase of the Old Edwards Inn in the early 2000s. He discusses living and working in Highlands, as well as the current controversy the town is facing over short-term…
Maxine Ramey discusses growing up in Highlands in the 1960s and 1970s and how the town has changed over the years. She talks about how tourism and part-time residents have affected Highlands and issues the town currently faces. She shares her…