Southern Appalachia
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“It was only natural that I should want to preserve some of these antiques, whose history and background I knew…I began to think about how important it was to preserve these items, and the memorabilia of all the people who represented a passing culture.” John Rice Irwin (1930-2022)
Words to live by: “Old roads, old dogs, old folks and old ways still have a lot to offer…” (Unknown)
SSA33V Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Margaret Jane King married John N. Walker in 1866 after he returned from the Civil War. They raised a family of eleven children including six daughters who never married.
When Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created, the Walker Sisters were granted a special lease and continued to live on land they inherited from their father. The last unmarried Walker sister, Louisa, died there in July 1964.
You can visit their unique mountain home by walking a short distance from Little Greenbrier School in the Metcalf Bottoms area of the Smoky Mountains.
SSA31H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
During the Great Depression, more than three million young men served in the Civilian Conservation Corps. They included 70,000 men who worked in 46 CCC camps throughout Tennessee.
Company 494, called Camp Kinchen or Camp Sam, was based in Norris TN.
When you visit Norris Dam and other state and national parks, learn about the important work of CCC men during the 1930s. Some of their efforts, like cabins, bridges, forests and hiking trails, we still enjoy today.
SSA30V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
This outdoor exhibit, along with others at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, helps visitors glimpse life for the King of the Wild Frontier and his neighbors in the late 1700s.
This state park offers an easy hike along the Nolichucky River, a museum, a replica of Davy Crockett’s first home, and a pleasant campground.
Watch the free film and perhaps purchase a book about the famous Tennessean when you visit his birthplace near Limestone in Greene County.
SSA29H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I recall using our rotary dial phone when I was a child. Sometimes I misused the phone, eavesdropping on neighbors who shared our rural phone line.
I happened to visit Charles Hall Museum in Tellico Plains TN where I saw a fascinating collection of antiquated phone equipment.
The collection evoked a flood of memories from my youth when we lived at the dead end of Shell Road in Knox County TN.
SSA28V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
I sat in a porch swing to capture this idyllic slice of Southern Appalachian life. I was at Miller Farmstead in Roan Mountain State Park, and the porch sheltered me from a summer shower.
Although well preserved and still somewhat functional, this farmhouse has long forgotten the omnipresence of a hard-working and joy-filled mountain family.
SSA27V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
At Norris Dam State Park’s Lenoir Museum, I searched for examples of East Tennesseans living out their faith.
The Interpretive Ranger, Michael, directed my attention to this open Bible in one of the display rooms.
SSA26V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Guns, glass wares and artifacts galore are displayed at W. G. Lenoir Museum at Norris Dam State Park near Rocky Top Tennessee.
SSA25H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Step back in time when you visit Little Greenbrier School near the Metcalf Bottoms area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I encourage you to make the easy hike to the one-room schoolhouse and an adjacent cemetery. Or, you can drive a narrow and winding gravel road to these excellent examples of pioneer life in Southern Appalachia.
SSA01H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
These stone wheels lean against the Display Barn at Museum of Appalachia, a Smithsonian Museum affiliate, located twenty minutes north of Knoxville, Tennessee at I-75 exit 122.
In its tribute to John Rice Irwin, New York Times called the museum “…A sanctuary for the vanishing folkways of his ancestors.”
SSA02V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
An anvil and forge are displayed outdoors in the Blacksmith Shop at Museum of Appalachia.
Blacksmithing was difficult work but an all-important industry in pioneer America.
SSA03H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Handcrafted cooking utensils were used by Southern Appalachian families.
These are displayed inside the General Bunch House at Museum of Appalachia.
SSA04V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
These farming implements, also handcrafted, stand on the back porch of the General Bunch House.
Pryor Bunch built the cabin in 1898 when his son, General, was eight years old.
SSA05V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Beyond the horse pasture at Museum of Appalachia proudly stands Hacker Martin Gristmill.
The mill originally served the northeast Tennessee community of Boone’s Creek. Martin ground mostly corn and wheat for his Boone’s Creek neighbors.
SSA06H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
These long rifles and powder horns, among many others, are exhibited inside the Display Barn at Museum of Appalachia.
Appalachian settlers’ livelihood depended, in large part, on family members who could shoot straight.
SSA07V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
A plethora of tools were used by Hobart Hagood to make harnesses and saddles in Persia, south of Rogersville in upper east Tennessee.
Hagood’s tools are now on display in the Leather Shop at Museum of Appalachia.
SSA08H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Imagine a young schoolmarm standing before her students of varied ages in this one-room schoolhouse.
The schoolhouse was moved to Museum of Appalachia from Big Tater Valley on Bull Run Creek, between Union and Grainger counties.
SSA09V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
In Southern Appalachia, church was almost as important as school. Some would say more so.
This view is inside a log church, also called a meeting house. It was built circa 1840 near Hamburg in Madison County, North Carolina.
SSA10V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
This hand-crafted rocking chair sits inside Irwin’s Chapel at Museum of Appalachia.
It belonged to Ben Davis, a Baptist preacher, who rode his horse over Madison County, North Carolina “spreading the word.”
SSA11V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Dried peppers hang beside the fireplace in the Arwine Cabin at Museum of Appalachia. It was built circa 1800 on Clinch River in Grainger County Tennessee.
One of Wes Arwine’s daughters still lived in the cabin in the early 1930s when Tennessee Valley Authority acquired her property, and hundreds more, prior to construction of Norris Dam.
SSA12V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Southern Appalachian families found practical uses for most byproducts of their self-sufficient lifestyle.
One notable example is tree bark they used to tan leather. Another is dried corn cobs that a family would use to kindle a fire in their wood stove or fireplace.
SSA13V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
This photograph, taken at 11:37, indicates this sundial accurately tells time.
The sundial is positioned just behind a large building at Museum of Appalachia that features a gift shop and café.
I say it’s time for a delicious homestyle lunch!
SSA14H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
The McClung House was built prior to 1800 a few miles southwest of Knoxville. You can tour the cabin now at Museum of Appalachia.
In addition to period plates and jugs, notice the child-sized rocking chair.
SSA15H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
This fireplace and mantel are inside the Mark Twain Family Cabin at Museum of Appalachia.
The cabin was located in ‘Possum Trot (near Pall Mall Tennessee) when it housed Twain’s parents and older siblings. The famous author was born five months after his family moved to Missouri from Tennessee.
SSA16V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Another view inside the McClung House at Museum of Appalachia. Note the doll in its crib and the fiddle case standing on a wicker chair.
Tradition says this house served as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the Civil War.
SSA17V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Another historic structure at Museum of Appalachia is Peters Homestead House. It was relocated from Luttrell in Union County Tennessee.
Cordelia Peters Parker was born in the cabin, she raised nine children there, and she died in her life-long home at age 87.
SSA18V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Appalachian homesteaders without access to newspapers or radio knew little of the world outside their community.
Some were naïve and fell prey to traveling merchants like Doc Randall. His wagon, on display at Museum of Appalachia, makes me think of Mr. Haney from the CBS television series, Green Acres.
SSA19H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Many Appalachian men labored in underground coal mines. Some still do.
Mining communities were usually self-contained; they maintained a school, a church, a company store and a cemetery.
SSA20V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
“Popcorn” Sutton built and operated this authentic moonshine still.
Museum of Appalachia’s tour brochure informs visitors that Sutton killed himself the day before he was to report to prison.
SSA21V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Four steel bunks are squeezed into this 6’ x 9’ jail cell. It was used by Madisonville, Tennessee law enforcers beginning in 1874.
A Museum of Appalachia poster reports Will Upton and Drew Upton were taken from this cell and hanged on December 20, 1917.
SSA22H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Most Southern Appalachians were hard-working, law-abiding, God-fearing people.
Nathaniel Peters, his daughter Cordelia, and Cordelia’s nine children who lived in this cabin, were too occupied with daily living to get into much trouble.
SSA23V Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Most Southern Appalachians received limited formal education. Yet all of them knew much of the joys and hardships of life.
Many learned to create art, crafts and music. One such artist was “Cedar Creek Charlie.” This is a sampling of Charlie’s unique artistic style, on display at Museum of Appalachia.
SSA24H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Nathaniel Peters’ cabin featured two separate rooms with fireplaces. Most likely he welcomed visitors to his home.
Learn more about Southern Appalachian people by visiting John Rice Irwin’s Museum of Appalachia. It is twenty minutes north of Knoxville, Tennessee at I-75 exit 122.