This article appeared in the Volume 4, Issue 1 Spring/Summer Winter 2023 issue of the Appalachian Curator. Click here to view a PDF of the full issue.
Welcome to the latest issue of the Appalachian Curator. We hope the summer’s going well for you, and that you’re finding time to catch up on projects and, hopefully, take some time off with family and friends.
This issue features several articles from the University of Kentucky. Kopana Terry writes about the history of Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at Kentucky, describing the extensive Appalachian oral histories there. Matt Strandmark describes Kentucky’s initiatives to expand their Appalachian collections and offers an invitation to join a group of Appalachian archivists and librarians “to foster more communication and collaboration” among those of us working with Appalachian resources. It’s an exciting initiative, and we encourage you to read the article and learn more about it.
Here in Western North Carolina, the region is adjusting to the closing of the Champion Fibre paper mill in Canton. The mill has been a major economic force here for over a century. We provide a history of the plant and describe several collections related to the Champion mill that are housed at Western Carolina and UNC Asheville.
This issue also includes an update from Berea College about their fellowship program, as well as our usual list of new acquisitions in Appalachian repositories.
Do you have an update about your repository? A new initiative to share with the Appalachian archival community? A collection you’d like to highlight? New resources to share? We would love to hear from you and help you share your stories with your colleagues. If you have a story suggestion or want to submit an article, please contact Liz Harper (harpere@email.wcu.edu) or Gene Hyde (ghyde@unca.edu).
Gene Hyde
Liz Harper
