05 Aug John C. Campbell Folk School Unveils One-of-a-Kind Appalachian Map as Part of 100th Anniversary Celebrations
As part of the John C. Campbell Folk School’s 100th anniversary celebrations, a long-hidden treasure of Appalachian history has been unveiled for a limited audience. A rare, hand-drawn map of the Southern Appalachian region created in the early 1900s by John C Campbell Folk School founder Olive Dame Campbell and researcher Elva M. Dickey was revealed to board members, staff and select media after being cleaned, preserved and stabilized.
This one-of-a-kind artifact, originally developed as part of John C. Campbell’s work with the Russell Sage Foundation, played a pivotal role in shaping the modern understanding of the Southern Appalachian region. The map was later featured in Campbell’s landmark 1921 book The Southern Highlander and His Homeland, a seminal work in the study of Appalachian culture.
“This map is more than just a significant artifact: it’s a tangible piece of Appalachian heritage,” said Bethany Chaney, Executive Director of the John C. Campbell Folk School. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to honoring the past and educating future generations.”
Measuring an expansive 71″ x 92″, the map is hand-drawn on starch cloth and features delicate inks, watercolors and carefully applied symbols – stabilized due to recent conservation work. Due to its fragility, the map has rarely been displayed publicly and has been stored in the John C. Campbell Folk School’s Fain Archives for the better part of the past decade. There are currently no plans to have the map on permanent public display, making this unveiling a historic and unique moment for both the Folk School and the region. Replicas of the map are in production for interpretive displays.
Board & Staff members taking a look at the map
The map offers not only artistic beauty but historical insight, capturing the geography, culture and identity of the Southern Appalachian region at a defining moment in its history. Its conservation underscores the vital importance of safeguarding cultural treasures that allow future generations to connect with and learn from the rich legacy of this remarkable region.
The unveiling marks a significant moment in the lead-up to the Folk School’s official centennial celebration, which will take place during its annual Fall Festival: October 4-5, 2025. As the Folk School commemorates 100 years of history, education and community, the return of this map stands as a powerful symbol of its founding mission: to preserve, celebrate and share the cultural traditions of Appalachia.
For more information, please visit www.folkschool.org/100.
About the John C. Campbell Folk School
For 100 years, the John C. Campbell Folk School has transformed lives and brought people together in a nurturing environment in Brasstown, N.C. for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. Our values are joy, kindness, stewardship and non-competitiveness in our vision of community that awakens, enlivens and enlightens the world in accordance with the Danish folk school tradition and Appalachian craft.
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