2006 – Issue 3 (June)
John Muir’s visit to Grandfather Mountain
The Mountain that Hugh Morton found so fascinating was already famous. This account of Muir’s visit, written by Hugh Morton’s son Jim, shows the family interest. On September 25, 1898, America’s most celebrated conservationist and naturalist, John Muir, visitied Grandfather Mountain. Then 60 years old, Muir was traveling with his friends, botanist Charles Sprague Sargent…
Read MoreVolunteer and Intern Update
Appalachian Voices’ volunteers and interns gave hundreds of hours to protect the mountains this semester. We would like to thank them for their work and let everyone know what they accomplished! We had 48 volunteers this semester working over 600 hours working on our Clean Air Campaign, Mountaintop Removal Campaign, the Appalachian Voice, and our…
Read MoreArcheology Can Add Depth to Our Understanding of Blair Mountain
The following is an excerpt from a report by Harvard Ayers, Ph.D. of the Dept. of Anthropology, Appalachian State University. The area of the Battle of Blair Mountain is being nominated under category A of the National Register criteria, as it is undeniably associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad…
Read MoreMountian Justice Summer
images/voice_uploads/2_circle.GrannyD.gif Documentary cameras rolled as heart-wrenching stories met a steely resolve to organize and stop mountaintop removal mining. Several hundred participants met at this year’s Healing Mountains conference in West Virginia, organized by the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Heartwood, the Coal River Mountain Watch, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and dozens of other organizations. Keynote speakers…
Read MoreNational Trust lists Blair Mountain Among Most Endangered Places
This April, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Blair mountain, the West Virginia site of a 1921 labor confrontation, as one of the country’s most threatened historic places. “Past preservation efforts have failed because of fierce opposition from the coal companies that own or lease most of the ridge,” said the National Trust for…
Read MoreAppalachian Festivals
It all started with a wagon in 1973. And Jimmy Neil Smith didn’t really think it would work. Smith brought Jerry Clower, the comedian, onto the stage at the Washington County Courthouse Square in Jonesborough, Tenn. But Smith also had a backup for his marquee – he hired Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys as…
Read MoreMorton’s Legacy Endures for Appalachia’s Environment
images/voice_uploads/13_HM_Mildred.gif One of Appalachcia’s most powerful voices has been silenced by cancer at age 85. Hugh Morton, a prominent North Carolina environmentalist, photographer and real estate developer, died at his home, surrouned by family, on the first of June. Known as the owner of Grandfather Mountain resort and also as a real estate developer and…
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