Featured Stories
  • Not too many generations ago, before snow plows, central heat, and supermarkets, winters in Appalachia were a much different experience than they are today. Many basic necessities such as mobility, heat, and food were not taken for granted. 0April 19, 2011

    Woolly Worms

    Not too many generations ago, before snow plows, central heat, and supermarkets, winters in Appalachia were a much different experience than they are today. Many basic necessities such as mobility, heat, and food were not taken for granted.

  • Back in the 1930s and 1940s, when moonshining was a means of survival in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a young man emerged who would go on to become one of NASCAR’s founding fathers. Like many Scotch-Irish descendants living in rural Appalachia, he was described as brave, simple, and independent. He reinforced the romanticized, cultural stereotype of a “noble rogue.” His name was Junior Johnson.0March 14, 2011

    Junior Johnson

    Back in the 1930s and 1940s, when moonshining was a means of survival in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a young man emerged who would go on to become one of NASCAR’s founding fathers. Like many Scotch-Irish descendants living in rural Appalachia, he was described as brave, simple, and independent. He reinforced the romanticized, cultural stereotype of a “noble rogue.” His name was Junior Johnson.

  • Few things warm the senses, mental or physical, like a handmade quilt. For hundreds of years, quilts have been crafted, treasured, snuggled, and displayed with dedication and devotion. A special quilt often symbolizes some of our earliest memories; either from the warmth it generated, or perhaps for the family or regional heritage it represents. 0October 22, 2010

    Coverlets and Quilts

    Few things warm the senses, mental or physical, like a handmade quilt. For hundreds of years, quilts have been crafted, treasured, snuggled, and displayed with dedication and devotion. A special quilt often symbolizes some of our earliest memories; either from the warmth it generated, or perhaps for the family or regional heritage it represents.

Editors' Picks
  • Using DigitalHeritage.org in your classroom Our goal is for our site to be used in classrooms locally, as well as...0November 4, 2011

    For Teachers

    Using DigitalHeritage.org in your classroom Our goal is for our site to be used in classrooms locally, as well as…

  • This unit is designed for 4th graders studying North Carolina history. Students will explore aspects of mountain life around the turn of the century as well as aspects of mountain life today and assess changes to crafts and traditions over time. Students will be active participants in quilting, carving, cooking, blacksmithing, singing, dancing, soap-making, and other craft activities. Students will determine criteria for evaluating artifacts and apply that knowledge in categorizing various materials found in both the indoor and outdoor classroom. Students will interview someone who practices a mountain craft or tradition and will then complete a PowerPoint presentation using the information obtained in the interview. Students will also participate in a working field trip to the Mountain Farm Museum in which they dress in period costumes and reenact life on a turn of the century mountain farm. Upon their return to school, students will then take part in a debate about the proper use of the Farmstead and reflect on the changes to mountain traditions over time. This unit is an on-going study encompassing the entire year, so the lesson plan base can be added to as necessary when further connections are made to the curriculum.0August 26, 2011

    Mountain Crafts and Traditions and Their Changes Over Time

    This unit is designed for 4th graders studying North Carolina history. Students will explore aspects of mountain life around the turn of the century as well as aspects of mountain life today and assess changes to crafts and traditions over time. Students will be active participants in quilting, carving, cooking, blacksmithing, singing, dancing, soap-making, and other craft activities. Students will determine criteria for evaluating artifacts and apply that knowledge in categorizing various materials found in both the indoor and outdoor classroom. Students will interview someone who practices a mountain craft or tradition and will then complete a PowerPoint presentation using the information obtained in the interview. Students will also participate in a working field trip to the Mountain Farm Museum in which they dress in period costumes and reenact life on a turn of the century mountain farm. Upon their return to school, students will then take part in a debate about the proper use of the Farmstead and reflect on the changes to mountain traditions over time. This unit is an on-going study encompassing the entire year, so the lesson plan base can be added to as necessary when further connections are made to the curriculum.

  • This unit is designed to give 4th and 5th grade students an understanding of the rich, diverse history of the North Carolina mountains and the people who have called these mountains home. Students will gain an appreciation for the mountain ecosystem, the Cherokee culture, and the impact of the European settlers.0June 29, 2011

    Our North Carolina Mountains and the People Who Have Lived Here

    This unit is designed to give 4th and 5th grade students an understanding of the rich, diverse history of the North Carolina mountains and the people who have called these mountains home. Students will gain an appreciation for the mountain ecosystem, the Cherokee culture, and the impact of the European settlers.

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  • In today's world of television and video games, this site is an attempt at instilling in our students an awareness of the enjoyment which can be found among our abundance of beautiful , diverse trees here in the mountains. At the same time, they will be realizing the importance of trees to our existence,as well as the importance of our responsibility in seeing that trees continue to exist. Tree recognition also plays a part in this plan.0June 28, 2011

    Trees Commonly Found in Western North Carolina

    In today’s world of television and video games, this site is an attempt at instilling in our students an awareness of the enjoyment which can be found among our abundance of beautiful , diverse trees here in the mountains. At the same time, they will be realizing the importance of trees to our existence,as well as the importance of our responsibility in seeing that trees continue to exist. Tree recognition also plays a part in this plan.

  • This unit focuses on the presence of a large ancient Cherokee Indian village which was located in Cowee Valley, a community in Franklin, North Carolina. The lesson is integrated into Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education and Art. Narrative writing is also part of the plan as an important focus in Fourth Grade.0June 28, 2011

    Macon County Cherokee Heritage

    This unit focuses on the presence of a large ancient Cherokee Indian village which was located in Cowee Valley, a community in Franklin, North Carolina. The lesson is integrated into Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education and Art. Narrative writing is also part of the plan as an important focus in Fourth Grade.

  • This unit plan introduces the 4th grade students to the history of Hiwassee Dam School. The school was originally started for the children of the workers who came to the area to build the TVA Dam. The students will interview community members who attended the original school, collect pictures of the old school, new school and students of each school.0June 28, 2011

    History of Hiwassee Dam Union School

    This unit plan introduces the 4th grade students to the history of Hiwassee Dam School. The school was originally started for the children of the workers who came to the area to build the TVA Dam. The students will interview community members who attended the original school, collect pictures of the old school, new school and students of each school.

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