Weavers of the Southern Highlands

259 Pages·2009·392.51 MB·English

by  Philis Alvic

weavers
ofthe
southern
highlands
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weavers
of the
southern
highlands
-philis alvic
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY
Copyright © 2003 by Th e University Press of Kentucky
Paperback edition 2009
Th e University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre
College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University,
Th e Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College,
Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University,
Morehead State University, Murray State University,
Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University,
University of Kentucky, University of Louisville,
and Western Kentucky University.
All rights reserved.
Editorial and Sales Offi ces: Th e University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008
www.kentuckypress.com
Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available from
the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-0-8131-9221-5 (pbk: alk. paper)
Th is book is printed on acid-free paper meeting
the requirements of the American National Standard
for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.
Manufactured in the United States of America.
Member of the Association of
American University Presses
To my husbandGary Schroeder,
who has been a vitalpartofthis book,
even before it began to take theform ofa book.
He servedmanyfunctions:facilitating the research,
assumingmany unexcitingtasks in the various researchprojects
andin theformation ofthe book, continuallyproddingme
to adopt new technology, andalways encouragingme to keepgoing.
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contents
List ofIllustrations and Maps
VI11
List ofAppalachian Settlement Schools and Weaving Centers
XIII
Preface xx
1. Foundations oftheAppalachian Craft Revival 1
2. Common Threads 15
3. Berea College and Fireside Industries 35
4. Pi Beta Phi Settlement School andArrowcraft 56
5. Appalachian School and PenlandWeavers and Potters 75
6. TheWeavers ofRabun 96
7. Other Mountain Weaving Centers 113
8. Weavers and Managers 135
9. Production 152
10. Financing and Fulfillinga Mission 169
Appendix: List ofOral History Interviews 190
Notes 193
Bibliography 212
Index 224
illustrations and maps
ill ustrations
Weaver at Loom 1
Walker Sisters 2
Familyin FrontofCabin 4
MarySloop LookingatWeaving 5
Early BereaWeavers 7
Appalachian School Room 8
EarlyGatlinburg 11
Pi Beta PhiTeachers 12
11/2 Miles to School-Penland 13
Viewfrom the WeavingShed 14
Daughters oftheAmerican Revolution 15
Olive Dane Campbell andJohnJacob Niles 17
Southern MountainWorkers, 1926 18
Southern MountainWorkers, Speakers 20
First Southern Highland Handicraft Guild Fair 22
Southern Highlanders, Inc. 23
Cover-HandicraftsoftheSouthern Highlands 27
Penland'sWeaving Institute 29
Rural Handicrafts Booklet 32
Allen Eaton andTina McMorran 34
President Frost 36
Women CardingWool 37
HettieWright Graham 39
Jennie Lester Hill 40
Ernberg andWeavers 41
Log House 43
BallardwithWeavers 44
Vlll
Illustrations and Maps
Anna Ernberg 47
MountainWeaver Boy 51
Labor Day FiresideWeaver 53
First Class Pi Beta Phi School 56
Chairs and Baskets 58
ReddingTeachingWeaver 60
Aunt Lizzie Reagan 62
Izora BringinginWeaving 63
Redding GatheringWeaving 65
ArrowcraftShop in Snow 66
MetaSchattschneider 68
ShippingRoom atArrowcraft 69
SummerCraftsWorkshop 70
Amy Burtwith Children 76
LucyMorgan Checkingin Work 78
Weavers' Day 79
Winding Bobbins 80
Checking Pottery 82
LucyMorgan at the CenturyofProgress 83
Ridgeway Porch 86
Flossie Perisho 90
Theresa'sWedding 92
BonnieWillis Fordand LucyMorgan 93
JayHambidge 97
MaryHambidge 98
EleanorSteele and Hall Clovis 99
Rock House 101
EarlyWeavers on Rock House Steps 102
Dye Shed 104
WeavingShed 106
Farmwith Sheep 107
MaryHambidge andVassos Kanellos 108
MaryHambidge 111
ElizaShirley 115
Light in the Mountains 116
Zada Benfield and Marian Brown 118
Crossnore's Log Building 119
Frances L. Goodrich 122
Shuttle Crafters 124
IX