This article appeared in the Volume 4, Issue 3 Winter 2024 issue of the Appalachian Curator. Click here to view a PDF of the full issue.
A few years ago Bill and Alice Hart donated their private library of Western North Carolina books and materials to Special Collections at UNC Asheville, as the Appalachian Curator reported several issues ago. This year, Bill and Alice Hart continued their generosity by creating the Bill and Alice Hart Internship for UNC Asheville students interested in working with Appalachian archives.
The first Bill and Alice Hart Intern began work this semester in UNC Asheville’s Special Collections. Deb Irwin, a history major at UNC Asheville, was selected through a competitive process to be the first Hart Intern. Deb was able to meet the Harts in January when they came to campus to view an exhibit about the Hart Collection.
Hart Interns learn basic archival theory and put it into practice working with Appalachian archival collections. Deb will be processing a large photo collection of Asheville and Western North Carolina photos recently donated to UNC Asheville. She will also be writing an essay describing her internship that will be posted on our Special Collections blog.
The Bill and Alice Hart Internship will fund an intern each semester for a total of six semesters. The Internship is open to juniors and seniors who have shown a demonstrated interest in Appalachian history and culture, either through coursework or by faculty recommendation.
