In this second interview, Sue, a Bryson City native, talks about the importance of literacy and hospitality in her family, as well as the “tall” Appalachian women who have influenced her life. She talks about how cooking and storytelling create…
Siblings Sue and Luke were born in Bryson City, NC, and grew up living in this small town in Swain County. They reminisce about their childhood, literacy, education, and how life has changed in the past few decades. They also discuss the role of…
Peggy Sue Nations is interviewed by a Smoky Mountain High School student as a part of Mountain People, Mountain Lives: A Student Led Oral History Project. Nations was born and raised in Sylva, NC. She talks about her career from teacher to…
In this interview, conducted as part of the "Threads of Life : the History of Hand Weaving in the Southern Highlands" project, Jackson County native Susan Leveille talks about how she became interested in weaving as a young girl. Susan shares some of…
Jackson County native, Susan Leveille, attributes her family's influence in her decision to become a weaver. Her aunt, Lucy Morgan, founder of the Penland School, was a frequent visitor in Susan's home in her youth. At age 9 or 10, Susan gained…
Susan Pepper, a musician, songwriter and music teacher, discusses her experiences playing Appalachian music in western North Carolina and beyond. She talks about her passions and the perspective she has gained of Appalachia through music. This…
Susie Bryson is interviewed by Lorraine Crittenden on April 28, 1986 as a part of the Western North Carolina Tomorrow Black Oral History Project. Bryson talks about schools before they were integrated, the black church being where Robinson Hall is…
Tanya Rowland Williamson discusses her family connection to Cataloochee Valley and her ancestor’s experience being displaced in the 1930s when the area became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She shares stories of her grandparents’…
Taylor, a dancer, discusses her different experiences growing up on a farm in Amish country and working as a stripper. She talks about feminism, sexuality, and her views on people in the industry as a whole. This interview was conducted to supplement…
Thomas Bryant is interviewed by a Smoky Mountain High School student as a part of Mountain People, Mountain Lives: A Student Led Oral History Project. Bryant talks about the challenges he faced growing up in Waynesville as an African American. He…