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Collection Number: 20372

Collection Title: Southern Highland Handicraft Guild Collection, 1993-1995

This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.


expand/collapse Expand/collapse Collection Overview

Size 788 items (0.5 linear feet)
Abstract The Southern Highland Handicraft Guild is a non-profit educational organization with a focus on teaching people in the southern Appalachian mountains traditional handicrafts and providing market outlets for them. The Guild represents over 700 craftspeople in 293 counties of nine southeastern states. From 1993 to 1995, Georgia Wier, a white folklorist for the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, with assistance from Ron Ruehl, Patience Bingham, and Betsy Baker, documented the handicraft work of individual, educational, and organizational members of the Guild in North Carolina. The documentation consisted of interviews with individual artists focusing on their craft and their association with the Guild and other folk art schools, organizations, or family businesses. The handicrafts of woodworking and weaving are particularly well represented, with a number of folk schools and artists documented. Also included are colonial knotting, pewter work, pottery, Hmong needlework, and dried flower arrangement.
Curatorial Unit Southern Folklife Collection
Language English.
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Information For Users

Restrictions to Access
Use of audio or moving image materials may require production of listening or viewing copies.
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild Collection #20372, Southern Folklife Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Provenance
Received from Georgia Wier, 21 June 1995 (Acc. 99454). Addition received September 2022 (20240108.1). Website harvested using Archive-It, beginning in October 2013 (Acc. 101962).
Sensitive Materials Statement
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Processing Information

Processed by: Elizabeth Matson, May 2003; Amanda Loeb, May 2014; Anne Wells, May 2017; Patrick Cullom, November 2019; Davia Webb, February 2024.

Encoded by: Elizabeth Matson, May 2003

Since 2017, we have added ethnic and racial identities for individuals and families represented in collections. To determine identity, we rely on self-identification; other information supplied to repository by collection creators or sources; public records, press accounts, and secondary sources; and contextual information in the collection materials. Omissions of ethnic and racial identities in finding aids created or updated after August 2017 are an indication of insufficient information to make an educated guess or an individual's preference for identity information to be excluded from description. When we have misidentified, please let us know at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu.

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collection were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subject Headings

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Historical Information

The Southern Highland Handicraft Guild traces its inception back to the late 1800s when Presbyterian missionary Frances Louisa Goodrich came to the mountains of North Carolina. Enchanted by the traditional woven coverlets the women were making, Goodrich started Allanstand Cottage Industries to assist mountain families economically while supporting the continuation of handicraft traditions. When Goodrich formed the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild with other leading members of the Southern Arts and Crafts Movement in 1930, she gave her business, now called the Allanstand Craft Shop, to the Guild to provide a retail outlet for the mountain crafts. Today the Allanstand Craft Shop is located in the Blue Ridge Parkway's Folk Art Center and is one of four shops operated by the Guild. The Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, a non-profit educational organization, focuses on training in and marketing of handicrafts by the people of southern Appalachia. It represents over 700 craftspeople in 293 counties of nine southeastern states.

In 1993, Georgia Wier, folklorist for the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, started documenting some of the North Carolina artists in the Guild. The documentation project was funded by a grant from the Folklife Section of the North Carolina Arts Council with additional assistance from the John C. Campbell Folk School and the Christopher Mann Memorial Fund. The project, consisting of audio, video, and photographic documentation, was conducted from 1993 to 1995 primarily by Georgia Wier, with assistance from videographer Ron Ruehl, photographer Patience Bingham, and Betsy Baker.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Scope and Content

From 1993 to 1995, Georgia Wier, folklorist for the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, documented the handicraft work of individual, educational, and organizational members of the Guild in North Carolina. The documentation consisted of interviews with individual artists focusing on their craft and their association with the Guild and any additional folk art school, organization, or family business. The artists were also audio and video recorded and photographed while working at their craft. The members of the Guild documented range from Nolan Beaver, a woodworker who joined the Brasstown Carvers in the 1930s, to Xee Yang, a Hmong needlework artist and recent member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild. Craft guilds and folk schools include the Brasstown Carvers at the John C. Campbell Folk School, the Weaving Room at Crossnore School, and the Nonah Craft Center. Family craft businesses include Woody's Chair Shop, ENDOFTHEROADCRAFTS, Pisgah Forest Pottery, and Riverwood Pewter Shop. The handicrafts of woodworking and weaving are particularly well represented, with a number of folk schools and artists documented. Also included are colonial knotting, pewter work, pottery, Hmong needlework, and dried flower arrangement.

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Contents list

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series Quick Links

1. Woodworking.
1.1. Brasstown Carvers.
1.1.1. Written Materials.
1.1.2. Slides.
1.1.3. Photographs.
1.1.4. Audio Recordings.
1.1.5. Video Recordings.
1.2. Frederick G. Smith.
1.2.1. Written Materials.
1.2.2. Slides.
1.2.3. Photographs.
1.2.4. Audio Recordings.
1.2.5. Video Recordings.
1.3. Woody's Chair Shop.
1.3.1. Written Materials.
1.3.2. Slides.
1.3.3. Photographs.
1.3.4. Audio Recordings.
1.3.5. Video Recordings.
1.4. Wade Martin.
1.4.1. Written Materials.
1.4.2. Slides.
1.5. ENDOFTHEROADCRAFTS.
1.5.1. Written Materials.
1.5.2. Slides.
1.6. Goingback (G. B.) and Mary Chiltoskey.
1.6.1. Written Materials.
1.6.2. Slides.
1.6.3. Photographs.
1.6.4. Audio Recordings.
2. Weaving.
2.1. The Weaving Room at Crossnore School.
2.1.1. Written Materials.
2.1.2. Slides.
2.1.3. Photographs.
2.1.4. Audio Recordings.
2.1.5. Video Recordings.
2.2. Nonah Craft Center.
2.2.1. Written Materials.
2.2.2. Slides.
2.2.3. Audio Recordings.
3. Other Handicrafts.
3.1. Pisgah Forest Pottery.
3.1.1. Written Materials.
3.1.2. Slides.
3.1.3. Photographs.
3.1.4. Audio Recordings.
3.1.5. Video Recordings.
3.2. Riverwood Pewter Shop.
3.2.1. Written Materials.
3.2.2. Slides.
3.2.3.Audio Recordings.
3.3. Colonial Knotting.
3.3.1. Written Materials.
3.3.2. Slides.
3.3.3. Photographs.
3.3.4. Audio Recordings.
3.4. Dried Flower Arrangement.
3.4.1. Written Materials.
3.4.2. Slides.
3.4.3. Photographs.
3.5. Hmong Textile Arts.
3.5.1. Written Materials.
3.5.2. Slides.
3.5.3. Photographs.
Addition of May 2014: Southern Highland Craft Guild Website.
Addition of September 2022: Southern Highland Handicraft Guild Organization Materials

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 1. Woodworking.

411 items.

Woodworking handicrafts documented consist primarily of carving, instrument making, and chair building. There is a particularly strong focus on the Brasstown Carvers, a carving association in Brasstown, N.C., with ties to the John C. Campbell Folk School. Many current and retired members of the Brasstown Carvers are documented. Artisans of the family-owned businesses Woody's Chair Shop and ENDOFTHEROADCRAFTS are interviewed and documented. Also included are individual artists: Frederick G. Smith, a Brasstown resident and woodworker, who is not a member of the Brasstown Carvers; Wade Martin, a woodworker in Swannanoa, N.C.' and Goingback Chiltoskey (G.B.) and Mary Chiltoskey, woodworkers in Cherokee, N.C.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.1. Brasstown Carvers.

105 items.

The Brasstown Carvers is one of the most successful programs of the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. Folklorist Georgia Wier documented this organization from 1993 to 1994. Brasstown Carver members and associates Nolan Beaver, Marylou Carpenter, Jack Carpenter, Martha Coffey, Helen Gibson, Abalee Ivester, Nell Lee, and Brandon Lee, Murrial Martin (Murray), James Morris, and Doris Reece are documented. Some of these individuals began carving with the Folk School in the 1930s. Murray Martin worked as a teacher and director of carving and weaving projects at the John C. Campbell Folk School starting in the 1930s. The Brasstown Carvers are video recorded at work at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.1.1. Written Materials.

11 items.

Written materials consist of field notes, one interview transcript, and correspondence by folklorist Georgia Wier. The field notes cover Georgia Wier's first informational visit with a number of Brasstown Carvers at the John C. Campbell Folk School and a photograph session with carver James Morris. The transcript is of an interview with carver Helen Gibson, for which there is no corresponding audio recording included in the collection. The correspondence primarily consists of thank you notes from Georgia Wier to her consultants.

Folder 1

James Morris photo session field notes, 10 December 1993

Folder 2

Helen Gibson interview transcript, 15 November 1994

Folder 3

Brasstown Carvers general field notes, 9-11 December 1993

Folder 4

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.1.2. Slides.

78 items.

Slides of Brasstown Carvers include Nolan Beaver, Martha Coffey, Helen Gibson, Abalee Ivester, Murrial Martin (Murray), James Morris, and Doris Reece. The artists are pictured in their homes and workspaces and while carving. Samples of their woodcarvings are also documented.

Image Folder PF-20372/9

Nolan Beaver, 29 January 1994

Color 35mm Slides

Image Folder PF-20372/10

Martha Coffey and Doris Reece, 28 January 1994

Color 35mm Slides

Image Folder PF-20372/11

Helen Gibson, 4 October 1993, 10 December 1993, 29 January 1994

Color 35mm Slides

Image Folder PF-20372/12

Abalee Ivester, 28 January 1994

Color 35mm Slides

Image Folder PF-20372/13

Murrial (Murray) Martin, 29 January 1994

Color 35mm Slides

Image Folder PF-20372/14

James Morris, 10 December 1993

Color 35mm Slides

Image Folder PF-20372/15

Brasstown Carvers (General), 10 December 1993

Color 35mm Slides

Image Folder PF-20372/16

Brasstown Carvers at Celebrate Folk Art Day, Asheville, N.C., 17 September 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.1.3. Photographs.

1 item.

Photograph of Rabbit and Squirrel bookends carved by James Morris of the Brasstown Carvers.

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Image Folder PF-20372/01

(P-4480) Rabbit and Squirrel bookends by James A. Morris, Brasstown Carvers, 10 December 1993

Photographic Prints

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.1.4. Audio Recordings.

7 items.

Audio recordings of interviews conducted by Georgia Wier with Nolan Beaver, Martha Coffey and Doris Reece, Nell Lee and Brandon Lee, Marylou Carpenter and Jack Carpenter, James Morris and Blanche Morris, Murrial Martin (Murray), and Abalee Ivester. All recordings have either fieldnotes, tape logs, or transcripts associated with them.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6458

Nolan Beaver, 29 January 1994: tape 1 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6459

Nolan Beaver, 29 January 1994, continued: tape 2 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6460

Martha Coffey and Doris Reece, 28 January 1994

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6461

Nell and Brandon Lee, Marylou and Jack Carpenter, 25 March 1994

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6462

James Morris and Blanche Morris, 29 January 1994

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6463

Murrial (Murray) Martin, 29 January 1994

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6464

Abalee Ivester interviewed, 28 January 1994

Audiocassette

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.1.5. Video Recordings.

8 items.

Ron Ruehl and Georgia Wier video recorded members of the Brasstown Carvers at work at the John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994. Both demonstrations and interviews were recorded. There is a complete video log associated with these video recordings. A small amount of additional footage of the grounds and shop at the John C. Campbell Folk School is also included at the beginning of VT-20372/9, the first video recording of Frederick G. Smith.

Videotape VT-20372/1

Brasstown Carvers at John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994: tape 1 of 8

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/2

Brasstown Carvers at John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994: tape 2 of 8

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/3

Brasstown Carvers at John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994: tape 3 of 8

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/4

Brasstown Carvers at John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994: tape 4 of 8

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/5

Brasstown Carvers at John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994: tape 5 of 8

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/6

Brasstown Carvers at John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994: tape 6 of 8

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/7

Brasstown Carvers at John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994: tape 7 of 8

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/8

Brasstown Carvers at John C. Campbell Folk School, 25 March 1994: tape 8 of 8

U-Matic

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.2. Frederick G. Smith.

34 items.

Georgia Wier interviewed woodworker Frederick G. Smith in Brasstown, N.C., on 26 March 1994. Though he is a carver, his style is different enough from the Brasstown Carvers that he never considered joining, though he became a member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild and has worked at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.2.1. Written Materials.

3 items.

The written materials consist of correspondence between folklorist Georgia Wier and Frederick G. Smith.

Folder 05

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.2.2. Slides.

26 items.

Slides of Frederick G. Smith in his home and at an art fair, along with a number of examples of his carved trays, dishes, and figurines.

Image Folder PF-20372/17

Frederick G. Smith, 26 March 1994, 17 September 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.2.3. Photographs.

1 item.

Portrait of Frederick G. Smith in his home.

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Image Folder PF-20372/02

(P-4481) Frederick G. Smith in his kitchen, 26 March 1994

Photographic Prints

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.2.4. Audio Recordings.

1 item.

Audio recording of an interview with Frederick G. Smith conducted by Georgia Wier. There is a tapelog associated with this recording.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6465

Frederick G. Smith, 26 March 1994

Audiocassette

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.2.5. Video Recordings.

3 items.

Georgia Wier and Ron Ruehl video recorded Frederick G. Smith working and talking about his craft in his home workshop. VT-20372/9 includes some footage of the grounds and shop at the John C. Campbell Folk School at the very beginning. There is a videolog associated with this recording.

Videotape VT-20372/9

Frederick G. Smith, 26 March 1994: tape 1 of 3

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/10

Frederick G. Smith, 26 March 1994: tape 2 of 3

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/11

Frederick G. Smith, 26 March 1994: tape 3 of 3

U-Matic

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.3. Woody's Chair Shop.

56 items.

Woody's Chair Shop in Spruce Pine, N.C., is a family-owned business. Arval Woody, fifth generation chairmaker and owner of Woody's Chair Shop, his wife Nora Woody, and woodworkers James Marcus, Ricky Hollifield, and Richard Hollifield were interviewed and documented at work by Georgia Wier in May and June 1994.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.3.1. Written Materials.

10 items.

The written materials include promotional materials about Woody's Chair Shop and thank-you letters from folklorist Georgia Wier.

Folder 06

Promotional Materials

Folder 07

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.3.2. Slides.

36 items.

Slides include shots of James Marcus, Ricky Hollifield, and Arval Woody making chairs in the workshop as well as chairs and other items for sale in the showroom of Woody's Chair Shop.

Image Folder PF-20372/18

Woody's Chair Shop, 5 May 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.3.3. Photographs.

2 items.

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Photographs of chairs made by Woody's Chair Shop, including one made by Arthur Woody, Arval Woody's grandfather.

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Image Folder PF-20372/03

Photographs, 1994

Photographic Prints

Subjects include:

  • (P-4482) Betsy Ross Rocker, 5 May 1994
  • (P-4483) Chair made by Arthur Woody, Arval Woody's grandfather, 5 May 1994
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.3.4. Audio Recordings.

2 items.

The audio recording includes Georgia Wier interviewing Arval Woody and Nora Woody as well as shop woodworkers James Marcus, Ricky Hollifield, and Richard Hollifield. There is a tape transcript associated with this recording.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6466

Arval and Nora Woody, 5 May 1994: tape 1 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6467

Arval and Nora Woody, 5 May 1994, continued: tape 2 of 2

Audiocassette

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.3.5. Video Recordings.

6 items.

Recorded by Georgia Wier and Ron Ruehl on 2 June 1994, the videos show all the processes and stages involved in making a chair at Woody's Chair Shop. There is a videolog associated with these recordings.

Videotape VT-20372/12

Woody's Chair Shop, 2 June 1994: tape 1 of 6

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/13

Woody's Chair Shop, 2 June 1994: tape 2 of 6

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/14

Woody's Chair Shop, 2 June 1994: tape 3 of 6

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/15

Woody's Chair Shop, 2 June 1994: tape 4 of 6

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/16

Woody's Chair Shop, 2 June 1994: tape 5 of 6

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/17

Woody's Chair Shop, 2 June 1994: tape 6 of 6

U-Matic

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.4. Wade Martin.

35 items.

Woodcarver Wade Martin comes from a family of woodworkers. His son, Bruce Martin, also carves. His father, Marcus Martin, was an instrument maker. One of his brothers, Fred Martin, built furniture and operated Martin's Craft Shop. Georgia Wier interviewed Wade Martin in the company of his wife Frances Martin and sister Zenobia Parks to talk about his family's woodworking history on 27 October 1994.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.4.1. Written Materials.

5 items.

The complete transcript of Georgia Wier's interview with Wade Martin, Zenobia Parks, and Frances Martin is included, although no corresponding audio recording was received with the collection. Correspondence includes Georgia Wier's thank-you letters as well as a Christmas story about a poor woodcarver by Wade Martin.

Folder 08

Transcription of interview with Wade Martin, Zenobia Parks, and Frances Martin, 27 October 1994

Folder 09

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.4.2. Slides.

30 items.

Slides include shots of Wade Martin, his wife Frances, and a variety of instruments and carvings made by members of the Martin family in their home.

Image Folder PF-20372/19

Wade Martin and family, 27 October 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.5. ENDOFTHEROADCRAFTS.

119 items.

Baxter Presnell, a woodcarver from Banner Elk, N.C., comes from a family of woodworkers. His father, Edd Presnell, was a dulcimer maker. Baxter taught his wife, Reva Presnell, to carve. They run a craft shop, ENDOFTHEROADCRAFTS, which employs various extended family members as carvers. Georgia Wier documented Baxter and Reva Presnell, as well as the extended family at work. Tangentially related documentation on Lorena Roberts and Vaughn Roberts is included, as originally received, with this material. Lorena Roberts is not a woodcarver or a member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, but a distant relative and neighbor of Baxter and Reva Presnell, who does a number of handicrafts including quilting and corn shuck dolls.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.5.1. Written Materials.

7 items.

Tapelog and transcript of interviews conducted by Georgia Wier with Baxter Presnell and Reva Presnell and members of their extended family who work at ENDOFTHEROADCRAFTS. There are no audio recordings corresponding to these interviews in the collection. The interview with Lorena Roberts and Vaughn Roberts is tangentially related. It is included, as originally received, because Lorena Roberts, though not a woodcarver or a member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, is a distant relative and neighbor of Baxter and Reva Presnell, who does a number of handicrafts including quilting and corn shuck dolls. Correspondence consists of thank-you letters from Georgia Wier to her consultants.

Folder 10

Tapelog of interview with Baxter and Reva Presnell, 29 September 1994

Folder 11

Transcript of interviews with Baxter Presnell, Reva Presnell, Marthana Ward, Jeff Ward, Beverly Ward, and Rosanna Napier at the ENDOFTHEROADCRAFTS workshop and with Lorena Roberts and Vaughn Roberts at their home, 3 December 1994

Folder 12

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.5.2. Slides.

112 items.

Slides show Baxter Presnell and Reva Presnell in their home, samples of furniture and carvings made by members of the family, Baxter Presnell, Reva Presnell, Marthana Ward, Jeff Ward, Beverly Ward, and Rosanna Napier working at the ENDOFTHEROADCRAFTS workshop and their booth at a Southern Highland Handicraft Guild art fair. Slides of Lorena Roberts and her corn shuck dolls are included here as well.

Image Folder PF-20372/20

Presnell extended family, 29 September 19, 23 October 1994, 3 December 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.6. Goingback (G. B.) and Mary Chiltoskey.

62 items.

Goingback Chiltoskey (G. B.) and Mary Chiltoskey are woodcarvers in Cherokee, N.C. Besides separate interviews with G. B. and Mary Chiltoskey, a tangentially related interview with Molly Blankenship is included, as received, with this material. Georgia Wier interviewed Molly Blankenship in the company of G. B. and Mary Chiltoskey to address concerns among Cherokee craftspeople that Cherokee craft designs and techniques not be copied. Wier wanted to make sure that the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild documentation project would pose no problem to Cherokee artists whom she hoped to include in her documentation.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.6.1. Written Materials.

5 items.

Correspondence includes letters between Georgia Wier and Goingback (G. B.) and Mary Chiltoskey. The interview with Molly Blankenship was not audio recorded. Georgia Wier's field notes for the interview include information about Lula Owl Gloyne, Molly Blankenship's mother, who was a weaver.

Folder 13

Correspondence

Folder 14

Field notes of interview with Molly Blankenship, 1 November 1994

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.6.2. Slides.

51 items.

Pictures of Goingback (G. B.) Chiltoskey and Mary Chiltoskey at home, work, and at a Southern Highland Handicraft Guild fair. Also samples of their carvings, including a violin made by G. B. Chiltoskey.

Image Folder PF-20372/21

Goingback (G. B.) and Mary Chiltoskey, 18 July 1993, 16 May 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.6.3. Photographs.

3 items.

Photographs of Mary and Goingback (G. B.) Chiltoskey, including one with G. B. Chiltoskey's great nephew, Henry Chiltoskie.

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Image Folder PF-20372/04

Photographs

Photographic Prints

Subjects include:

  • (P-4484) Mary Chiltoskey at Guild Heritage Booth, 18 July 1993
  • (P-4485) Goingback (G. B.) Chiltoskey and Henry Chiltoskie, 16 May 1994
  • (P-4486) Goingback (G. B.) Chiltoskey and Georgia Wier, 16 may 1994
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.6.4. Audio Recordings.

3 items.

Interviews with Goingback (G. B.) Chiltoskey and Mary Chiltoskey have accompanying tapelogs.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6468

Interview with Goingback (G. B.) Chiltoskey, 16 May 1994

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6469

Interview with Mary Chiltoskey, 20 June 1994: tape 1 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6470

Interview with Mary Chiltoskey, 20 June 1994, continued: tape 2 of 2

Audiocassette

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 2. Weaving.

106 items.

Documentation of weavers in the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild focuses on two educational centers: the Weaving Room of Crossnore School in Crossnore, N.C., and the Nonah Craft Center in Franklin, N.C. Interviews particularly highlight 1998 North Carolina Folk Heritage Award winner Ossie Clark Phillips and Eleanor Hjemmet (Ellie) at the Weaving Room of Crossnore School and Sally Kesler at the Nonah Arts Center.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.1. The Weaving Room at Crossnore School.

47 items.

The Weaving Room at Crossnore School was founded by Mary Martin Sloop in 1923 to provide training, work, and income for local mountain women. The Weaving Room is an organizational and Charter Member of the Southern Highland Handicrafts Guild. Ossie Clark Phillips, manager of the Weaving Room from the early 1960s to 1986, is featured in the video recordings. Ossie Clark Phillips started weaving at age nine and became a weaver at the Weaving Room at age 13. Eleanor (Ellie) Hjemmet, then manager of the Weaving Room, was also interviewed in audio and video recordings.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.1.1. Written Materials.

16 items.

Written materials include promotional materials and newspaper articles about Crossnore School and the Weaving Room and Georgia Wier's thank-you letters to her consultants.

Folder 15

Promotional Materials

Folder 16

Articles

Folder 17

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.1.2. Slides.

23 items.

Slides show the weavers at the Weaving Room at Crossnore School and some samples of their work.

Image Folder PF-20372/22

Weaving Room, 11 May 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.1.3. Photographs.

2 items.

Photographs show weavers Shirley Gragg and Virginia Coffey at the Weaving Room at Crossnore School and the Susie Crossnore dolls, which are made there.

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Image Folder PF-20372/05

Photographs

Photographic Prints

Subjects include:

  • (P-4487) Weavers Shirley Gragg and Virginia Coffey in lunch room at the Weaving Room, Crossnore School, 11 May 1994
  • (P-4488) Susie Crossnore dolls, Weaving Room, Crossnore School, 11 May 1994
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.1.4. Audio Recordings.

2 items.

Georgia Wier interviewed Eleanor (Ellie) Hjemmet, then manager of the Weaving Room at Crossnore School, and weavers Virginia Coffey, Shirley Gragg, Sheila Clark, and Cynthia Coffey while working on 11 May 1994. There is an accompanying tape log for this interview.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6471

Eleanor (Ellie) Hjemmet and weavers at the Weaving Room, Crossnore School, 11 May 1994: tape 1 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6472

Eleanor (Ellie) Hjemmet and weavers at the Weaving Room, Crossnore School, 11 May 1994, continued: tape 2 of 2

Audiocassette

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.1.5. Video Recordings.

4 items.

Ossie Clark Phillips, former manager of the Weaving Room who started weaving there when she was thirteen years old, and Eleanor (Ellie) Hjemmet, then manager, were video recorded by Betsy Baker and Ron Ruehl on 2 May 1995. There is no accompanying video log for these recordings.

Videotape VT-20372/18

Interview with Ossie Clark Phillips, 2 May 1995: tape 1 of 2

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/19

Interview with Ossie Clark Phillips, 2 May 1995: tape 2 of 2

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/20

Interview with Eleanor (Ellie) Hjemmet, 2 May 1995

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/21

The Weaving Room at Crossnore School, 2 May 1995

U-Matic

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.2. Nonah Craft Center.

59 items.

The Nonah Craft Center in Franklin, N.C., was founded in 1947 by Reverend Rufus Morgan, brother of Lucy Morgan, the founder of Penland School of Handicrafts. The Center became an education center member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild in 1959. Sally Kesler, a weaver and silk screen artist who trained at Penland School of Handicrafts, became the Director of the Nonah Craft Center in 1952. Georgia Wier interviewed Sally Kesler and her weaving students on 28 June 1994.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.2.1. Written Materials.

10 items.

Prior to conducting this documentation project for the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, Georgia Wier had interviewed Sally Kesler on 27 June 1993. Wier included a copy of the transcript for that interview with her Guild documentation because of its useful background information. There is no accompanying audio recording in this collection. Also included in the written materials are newspaper articles about Sally Kesler and her silk screening and weaving work and correspondence between Georgia Wier and her consultants.

Folder 18

Transcript of interview with Sally Kesler, 27 June 1993

Folder 19

Articles

Folder 20

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.2.2. Slides.

47 items.

Slides show the weavers of the Nonah Craft Center, working in the weaving shop, and Sally Kesler's silk screen prints.

Image Folder PF-20372/23

Nonah Craft Center, 28 June 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.2.3. Audio Recordings.

2 items.

Georgia Wier interviewed Sally Kesler, her weaving students, and Don and Frances McLean on 28 June 1994. Frances McLean is the daughter of Rufus Morgan, the founder of Nonah Craft Center. There is a tape log associated with this interview.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6473

Interview with Sally Kesler, 28 June 1994: tape 1 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6474

Interview with Sally Kesler, continued: tape 2 of 2

Audiocassette

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 3. Other Handicrafts.

271 items.

Other handicrafts documented by folklorist Georgia Wier for the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild include pottery, pewter work, colonial knotting, dried flower art, and Hmong needlework. Businesses included are Pisgah Forest Pottery and Riverwood Pewter Shop. Interviews with individual artists focused on Thomas Case, Ralph Morgan, Carmalee Craig, Hazel Whittington, and Xee Yang.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.1. Pisgah Forest Pottery.

67 items.

Pisgah Forest Pottery has been a member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild since 1932. It is renowned for its crystalline glazed pots and cameo ware both developed by Stephen Case. Thomas Case, step-grandson of Walter Stephens, the founder of Pisgah Forest Pottery, and his wife, Dorothy Case, were the focus of Georgia Wier's documentation.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.1.1. Written Materials.

4 items.

Promotional materials produced by the Pisgah Forest Pottery and Georgia Wier's field notes for a photo session at the pottery shop. The 21 June 1993 date on the field notes appears to be a typographical error as the slides that appear to correspond with the field notes are from 21 June 1994 and the rest of Wier's documentation is dated 1994.

Folder 21

Promotional materials

Folder 22

Photo session field notes, 21 June 1993(4)

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.1.2. Slides.

56 items.

Slides of Pisgah Forest Pottery show the workshop, showroom, and Thomas Case and Grady Ledbetter at work turning pots.

Image Folder PF-20372/24

Pisgah Forest Pottery, 17 June 1994, 21 June 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.1.3. Photographs.

2 items.

Photographs include Thomas Case being interviewed by Georgia Wier and a pot made by Herman Case (base) and Walter Stephens (top).

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Image Folder PF-20372/06

Photographs

Photographic Prints

Subjects include:

  • (P-4489) Thomas Case and Georgia Wier, 17 June 1994
  • (P-4490) Pot by Herman Case (base) and Walter Stephens (top), 17 June 1994
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.1.4. Audio Recordings.

2 items.

Georgia Wier interviewed Thomas Case and Dorothy Case while touring though the workshop at Pisgah Forest Pottery. There is a tape log associated with this interview.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6475

Interview with Thomas and Dorothy Case, 17 June 1994: tape 1 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6476

Interview with Thomas and Dorothy Case, 17 June 1994, continued: tape 2 of 2

Audiocassette

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.1.5. Video Recordings.

3 items.

Betsy Baker and Ron Ruehl video recorded pottery workshop demonstrations and conducted interviews at the Pisgah Forest Pottery on 11 May 1995. There is no video log associated with this material.

Videotape VT-20372/22

Pisgah Forest Pottery, 11 May 1995: tape 1 of 3

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/23

Pisgah Forest Pottery, 11 May 1995: tape 2 of 3

U-Matic

Videotape VT-20372/24

Pisgah Forest Pottery, 11 May 1995: tape 3 of 3

U-Matic

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.2. Riverwood Pewter Shop.

62 items.

Ralph Morgan was an early member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild. He began crafting hand-hammered pewter household items in 1930 when he was in his last year of high school. The craft business financed his way through the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and then the University of Chicago. When he returned to North Carolina as a doctor, he taught the craft to local folks. The present Riverwood Pewter Shop in Dillsboro, N.C., was started by Mrs. Morgan and is managed by the Morgans's eldest daughter, Ruth McConnell.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.2.1. Written Materials.

2 items.

Correspondence consists of Georgia Wier's thank-you letters to her consultants.

Folder 23

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.2.2. Slides.

57 items.

Slides show the Riverwood Pewter Shop, samples of pewter household items, Ralph Morgan, Ruth McConnell, and pewter workers Leo Franks, Ouida Gold, and Dee Shook making pewter pieces.

Image Folder PF-20372/25

Riverwood Pewter Shop, 27 May 1994, 30 June 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.2.3.Audio Recordings.

3 items.

Georgia Wier interviewed Ralph Morgan, his daughter and shop manager Ruth McConnell, and pewter workers Ouida Gold, Dee Shook, and Leo Franks. All tapes have tapelogs associated with them.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6477

Interview with Ralph Morgan, 27 May 1994: tape 1 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6478

Interview with Ralph Morgan, 27 May 1994, continued: tape 2 of 2

Audiocassette

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6479

Riverwood Pottery, sounds of working and interviews, 30 June 1994

Audiocassette

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.3. Colonial Knotting.

37 items.

Carmalee Craig in Blowing Rock, N.C., learned how to do colonial knotting, a form of needlework, from Bertha Cook, a Southern Highland Handicraft Guild member. Her aunt, Georgia Coffey, also taught her how to tie fringe. At the time Georgia Wier interviewed Carmalee Craig in 1993 and 1994, she was the only member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild doing colonial knotting.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.3.1. Written Materials.

1 item.

Written materials consist of Georgia Wier's field notes for an unrecorded interview with Carmalee Craig on 2 August 1993.

Folder 24

Field notes, 2 August 1993

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.3.2. Slides.

33 items.

Slides show Carmalee Craig doing colonial knotting, samples of her work, and her fringe loom made by her husband Lank Craig with work in progress.

Image Folder PF-20372/26

Carmalee Craig, 3 August 1993, 10 May 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.3.3. Photographs.

1 item.

Photograph of a bedspread in a sunflower pattern made by Georgia Coffey (knotting) and Carmalee Craig (fringe).

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Image Folder PF-20372/07

Photographs

Photographic Prints

Subjects include:

  • (P-4491) Bedspread by Georgia Coffey and Carmalee Craig, 10 May 1994
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.3.4. Audio Recordings.

2 items.

Carmalee Craig and her husband Lank were interviewed by Georgia Wier on 10 May 1994. There is a tapelog associated with this recording.

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6480

Interview with Carmalee Craig, 10 May 1994: tape 1 of 2

SFC Audio Cassette FS-20372/6481

Interview with Carmalee Craig, 10 May 1994, continued: tape 2 of 2

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.4. Dried Flower Arrangement.

19 items.

Hazel Whittington grows and gathers decorative plants, which she arranges into wreaths, swags, and centerpieces. She lives with her husband Clyde on their farm in the Mills River Valley of Henderson County, N.C.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.4.1. Written Materials.

3 items.

Written materials consist of Georgia Wier's field notes for an unrecorded interview and a photo session with Hazel Whittington and a thank-you note from Georgia Wier.

Folder 25

Field notes, 7 December 1994, 17 September 1994

Folder 26

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.4.2. Slides.

15 items.

Hazel Whittington and Clyde Whittington with samples of Hazel Whittington's dried flower arrangements at a Southern Highland Handicraft Guild fair.

Image Folder PF-20372/27

Hazel Whittington, 17 September 1994, 23 October 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.4.3. Photographs.

1 item.

Portrait of Hazel Whittington with one of her wreaths.

Until 2019, some of photographic materials in this collection were originally part of the "SFC General Photograph Collection." Materials in the SFC General Photographic Collections were individually numbered in a sequential manner that spanned collections. Materials that have a number with a "P-" indicate inclusion in this collection. These numbers have been retained so that previous uses of the images and additional description remain connected to the materials.

Image Folder PF-20372/08

Photographs

Photographic Prints

Subjects include:

  • (P-4492) Hazel Whittington, 23 October 1994
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.5. Hmong Textile Arts.

86 items.

Xee Yang does Hmong needlework, including pandau, cross-stitch, embroidery, and reverse applique in flower designs and story cloths. She came to the United States in 1979. When Georgia Wier interviewed her in 1994, she had been an active member of Southern Highland Handicraft Guild for eight years.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.5.1. Written Materials.

14 items.

The tapelog is for an interview with Xee Yang, with translation assistance from her son Frankie Lo, on 6 October 1994. Additional field notes cover a photo session on 22 October 1994 and the Hmong New Year Southeast celebration on 26 November 1994. There are no associated audio recordings for any of these dates in this collection. Promotional material includes fliers about the Hmong New Year Southeast celebration and textile resources for Hmong needleworkers. The correspondence between Georgia Wier and Xee Yang is also included.

Folder 27

Tapelog and field notes, 6 October 1994, 22 October 1994, and 26 November 1994

Folder 28

Promotional materials

Folder 29

Correspondence

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.5.2. Slides.

71 items.

Slides show Xee Yang at home and at the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild fair, samples of her work, and the traditional clothing, games, and food preparation at the Hmong New Year Southeast celebration.

Image Folder PF-20372/28

Xee Yang, 6 October 1994, 26 November 1994, 23 October 1994

Color 35mm Slides

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 3.5.3. Photographs.

1 item.

Xee Yang's son Frankie Lo in traditional Hmong clothing at the Hmong New Year Southeast celebration.

Image Folder PF-20372/29

(P-4493n) Frankie Lo in traditional Hmong clothing, 26 November 1994

Color Photographic Negative

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Addition of May 2014: Southern Highland Craft Guild Website.

1 item.

Official website of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and Folk Art Center in Asheville, N.C. The site contains information about the Folk Art Center, including information for visitors, current exhibitions, and special events; information about various guild shops and centers in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee, as well as information about the annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville, N.C.; general information about membership and the application process; resources on the history and permanent collections of the guild; and member pages organized by craft type.

Digital Item DI-20372/1

Website (southernhighlandguild.org)

Harvested using Archive-It, beginning in October 2013.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Addition of September 2022: Southern Highland Handicraft Guild Organization Materials

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Items Separated

Items separated include photographs (IB-20372/1; PF-20372/1-29; P-4480 - P-4493), audio recordings (FS-6458 - FS-6481), and video recordings (VT-20372/1 - VT-20372/24).

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