September 19, 2019
By the time Olive Dame Campbell and Marguerite Butler decided Brasstown might be the location of the Folk School Fred O. Scroggs had rounded up promises to help start the project.
The pledges folks signed still exist in the Folk School Archives. I love to read them and think about what a sacrifice it must have been for people to donate to a type of school they’d never heard of.
CB Green pledged: 5 Days work each year for 3 years.
Cliff Waldroup pledged: $100 in labor at customary price to be donated throughout a period of three years. Option on farm at reasonable price if needed. Five loads fire wood each year for a period of three years.
G.W. Crisp pledged: Building stone – Any suitable on my farm. Will haul rocks if health will permit.
John Logan pledged: 10 days work with team first year – 5 days work with team each additional year for 2 years.
Mrs. Lillian Scroggs pledged: 500 Narcissus bulbs all varieties. 25 Peonie eyes – 3 colors. Any wild shrubs, and any local stone on my farm.
William Clayton pledged: First year 30 days of work. Each additional year 10 days work. 10 building logs. 3 loads fire wood each year for 5 years.
Loye Payne pledged: 6 days work yearly for 3 years.
I’ve only shared a small sampling of the pledges. There were many other donations, including the land from the Scroggs family that the school was started on.
The names on the pledges are still common in Brasstown today. I especially like Cliff Waldroup’s pledge because I heard Pap talk about him and about the Waldroup place just this side of the Folk School. I also love the pledge from Lillian Scroggs. Man she must have had one more flower bed 🙂 And what about G.W. Crisp? Seventy-three years old and still pledging to haul in his rock if he was able.
I believe community donations gave the Folk School the solid foundation it needed to succeed.
—September 19, 2019
By the time the folk school was started John C. Campbell had passed away. His wife Olive Dame wanted to fulfill their dream of helping mountain people.
Once she decided a folk school was the best way to move forward, she had to figure out where to put it.
Fred O. and the many pledge cards he secured helped Olive Dame choose Brasstown. I’ve learned this week that there was a place in West Virginia that was also considered as a location for the folk school.
I’m a little sorry for West Virginia, but I’m also very grateful that Fred O. and his neighbors stepped up in a big way and pushed the choice of Brasstown to the top of the list.
Last night’s video: Fresh Corn, Hotdogs, & the Easiest Dessert for Supper.
Tipper
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
I especially loved today’s post. I am a suckered for history and these cards speak volumes. How interesting!
This is in reply to your post on hot dogs. I went to Adams Meat this morning and bought a package of hot dogs. My wife grilled them and they were probably the best hot dogs I have ever had. I mentioned to the gentleman who sold me the hot dogs that I was there because of your recommendation and he mentioned you buying and liking his hot dogs. Thank you for the recommendation; it was spot on. Have a blessed day.
Something to do with last week and our past school days, just passed by my old high school, they have started down the gym, auditorium and some other classrooms all in the same one remaining building that hadn’t already been torn down. 53 years ago, I don’t think I would have cared so much, but now in my old age, I look back and think about how good and enjoyable those school days were. That’s not to say there was not some days that wasn’t so enjoyable.
I am reminded of the scripture “if there first be a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not”. A common feature of those pledges is that there are of what each had to give; time, effort, wood, stone, flowers and so on. And that meant there was a community investment in having it succeed and that community “buy-in” was an essential foundation stone. But deeper even that that was the integrity of the folks pledging. I wonder if any “books” were kept on whether or not each pledge was met to a jot and a tittle. If so, I expect it was to relieve folks from “overcharging” their ownselves as much, or more, than getting full measure. In pioneer times, the collection of pledges was a first step in large-scale community projects such as a church, a school, a bridge, etc. The government didn’t have to get involved and the result belonged to the local people.
Often times we think we have nothing to give to a cause but this is a good example of what the work of many can do. I was gifted a weekend class once but because of Covid the instructor couldn’t come at another time and the class I really wanted didn’t happen but I was able to substitute another. If I could afford more I would take several. And if I did not have conflicts I would see you there this week. I love to shop in the gift shop when I visit relatives in the area. Readers who are not familiar should look John C Campbell web site.
What a special read Tipper! It warms the heart to remember how ‘once upon a time’ people worked together for the good of each other and their community back in the day. Every little bit one could do or give to support the need was willingly given, and age or gender didn’t matter. I remember such coming together for one another or a community project when I was growing up. Such a mindset is not so much these days. Thank you for sharing this.
What an awesome expression of love for community, culture and education these people most have had to donate so much of their time, belongings and talents in hopes to build the Folk School. I’m so glad that John’s wife saw his dream through to build the school. If it wasn’t for all these wonderful, dedicated people that gave so much, it might not have happened. It shows the determination of all the people in the community to preserve and celebrate the Appalachia culture.
I’d loved it if it had been in WV, because that is my birth state, but I’m sure thankful it ended up being built in Brasstown, NC. I think at some point WV might have built some type of folk art school, or at least offered classes in local colleges. However, I know for a fact they have a place right off the Beckley exit called Tamarack that displays, sells and celebrates the arts, culture and history of WV and the Appalachia culture. Only local artist from WV and surrounding Appalachia areas can sell their goods there. I’ve been there many times to buy things, eat there at the restaurant and even seen some performances of local singers and theatre groups. Sometimes they feature local authors reading from their published books, which are also sold in the book section of Tamarack. I don’t know if they hold classes there to teach, but I’ve never seen or heard of any of my people mention it. It was built after I had moved to NC, so my visits were each time we went to visit my family after it was built. If anyone travels to WV towards Beckley, then make a point to stop in at Tamarack. Plan on at least a good hour or more to look at everything and enjoy a meal while you’re there. It’s worth the stop! Here is their website https://www.tamarackwv.com
I don’t think there were any pledge cards signed, but I can remember back in 60’s and my church was building a new modern church build “up on Hwy 25” the men of the church had very little money to give but would donate their time and gather together on Saturdays and clean the off the land with hand tools.
Betty, I have been very busy the last few days and didn’t read your reply about the lady cutting down the tree with an axe until late last night, the lady I mentioned in my comment just picked up a handful of rocks and begin to throw them at me! She never intended to hit or hurt me, just make me think she would. I was only about 4 years old. On up into my early adult life, this lady was like having another grandmother for me, me and others were always looking out for Aunt Gladys until the day she died.
For many years I’ve wanted to attend a class at the Folk School. I still get their catalog and look through the many different options. A blacksmithing class interests me a great deal. Perhaps one day I’ll make my way over there.
What a wonderful read! Obviously an amazing community response and it still is an amazing area to this day. I love the cursive writing too. One doesn’t see that very often today. This post really warmed my heart. Thank You Tipper!
I love this…community is so important to us here!
All generous pledges, but I too was impressed with Mrs Scroggs pledge. Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen her flower garden?
It was great to visit the Folk School for awhile yesterday. My first time there. It’s an interesting place with an inspiring spirit and environment. I enjoyed Tipper’s presentation and had the privilege to visit with everyone for a few minutes. Thanks for the kindness and friendship shown.
That is really neat to read those pledges and how close the community was to do this. All of the resources and skills that are available to the community there and shared beyond is really wonderful and that it has continued for 100 years! I wish that I had been able to come for some of this week’s activities.
I remember seeing a program about the folk school on PBS years ago and thinking how neat it would be to see in person or to take a class there and it had faded from my memory until I started watching your channel and reading your blog… I’ve learned so much more than was shared on PBS! Looks like a wonderful place for fun, learning, and fellowship.