A TRIBUTE TO OLIVE DAME CAMPBELL, 1882—1954 written by Rooney Floyd
Olive Dame was born the daughter of a middle class New England family of Mayflower descent. Her father was a talented botany teacher and school principal. A gifted mother taught her early the love of art and music. She enjoyed an active, rich youth that developed an inquiring mind and strong, determined will. These attributes would serve her well in the coming years of adventure with future husband, John C. Campbell, and later as the founder and director of the Folk School she named in his honor. Though less well known, she became one of the leading social reformers of her time.
After graduating from Tufts College in 1903, she taught literature several years before planning a vacation voyage to Scotland in 1906. On the voyage, she met John Campbell who was traveling to his ancestral homeland to recuperate from the loss of a wife and the stress of being President of Piedmont College. Olive was a smart, talented and dedicated Christian woman with a great sense of humor. She had indeed been called to serve humanity through education. In these ways, she was a lot like John. By trip’s end, they were engaged. Olive and John married in 1907 in her home town in Medford, Massachusetts.
The Campbells were among the first to recognize and appreciate the diverse character and skills the Appalachian people had developed in their extremely isolated existence. For this reason they disagreed with the prevalent stereotype of mountain people held by those of formal education at that time. They found that social workers had little understanding of the people they were sent to help, or what their real strengths and needs were. There was a void of credible information on Appalachian social conditions, and the small amount that existed was invalid. Thus, the Campbells planned to make a comprehensive study of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
After receiving a grant from the Russell Sage Foundation, they set off on a four-year journey, (1908-1912), on horseback and by covered wagon extending over portions of eight states forming a region John later named the Southern Highlands. They visited numerous communities, schools, churches, government officials, and families in the region to inquire what the people actually wanted in the way of assistance for their social and economic development. Olive kept a detailed journal of the entire survey journey as well as collected traditional English folk songs still preserved by word of mouth in the mountain families.
Education was the most frequently given answer by the people as to their needs. They wanted education for adults who were living on the land with the intention of staying there. Schools separated students based on performance. Better performing students were furnished additional opportunity for continuing education. This further education, however, took the individual from his home to work in the city. Those who stayed to work the land were virtually unschooled.
The Campbells had read about the Danish folk schools that provided a different kind of non-competitive education for rural adults. These schools had yielded contented, productive inhabitants on very successful farms for over 60 years. They believed the Danish model could be adapted to the Appalachian situation and enable the mountain people to live happy, productive lives in their home environment by efficient farming, cooperatives, and development of their art and craft skills. Upon completion of the Appalachian survey, the Campbells planned a year-long study of the Danish folk schools.
When the outbreak of World War I forced cancellation of their Danish trip, the Campbells continued their Appalachian work living in Asheville, N. C. During this time, Olive and John lost two infant daughters. Olive dealt with the loss by completing her ballad collecting work which lead to the publication of English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians by Olive Dame Campbell and Cecil J. Sharp, in 1917. Within two years John died at the age of 51 leaving Olive to fulfill their dreams. She took all of their notes to Nantucket Island and methodically compiled their survey which was published as The Southern Highlander and His Homeland by John C. Campbell, in 1921. After the war ended, the time had come to pursue the Danish folk school project.
Olive secured a fellowship for the study of adult education from the American-Scandinavian Foundation and left for Denmark in 1922 to study the Danish folk school system. She took with her a young fellow mountain worker, Marguerite Butler, who would later become her assistant in founding the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N. C. During this time, Olive was at the peak of her health, strength, and mind for the new adventure. After eighteen months of visiting most of the 150 folk schools, the two determined ladies returned armed with enough of an intellectual and spiritual grasp, enthusiasm, and experience to implement the Danish folk school model in Appalachia. Olive’s zeal, discipline, and devotion had merged in a tremendous sense of calling to the field of mountain work. For the next few years as Olive continued her work with the Conference of Southern Mountain Workers. She and Marguerite also began the task of selecting a site for the new folk school. Additionally, she wrote and published The Danish Folk School by Olive D. Campbell. It has been called “the most understanding book on the subject ever written.”
By 1925, Olive had chosen the community of Brasstown, N. C. to locate the folk school. It was ideal not only because of the absence of competing large towns or industry, but also because the local people very much wanted the school and pledged the needed support. This marriage of school and community, though tiny compared to the whole Southern Highlands region, was destined to become a model of effectiveness and progress over the next three decades as Olive directed the school through the Depression and World War II. It had truly become an asset to the community where many of the local families were enlightened, progressive, and contented; thus allowing them to stay upon the land successfully.
Olive retired in 1946 and returned to Medford to continue her robust correspondence and draft The Life and Work of John Charles Campbell, her husband’s biography. WW II had ended, the national economy was in an upswing, and the Craft Revival in America was beginning. As always, the Folk School continued to adjust to change by considering it new opportunity. With a new mission, and through a series of new directors, the Folk School served students from a much larger area, first regionally, then nationally and internationally. Even with all these changes, the school still offers people from the local area, ways to improve their quality of life while it also provides a unique resource to a much broader base as well. The emphasis has shifted more and more to arts and crafts reflecting Olive’s guidance that “the form the school takes is always to be based on the need.” In spite of 90 years of considerable change, most of the important, underlying Danish folk school principles remain, keeping the unique institution true to the founder’s dream. In retrospect, her entire life had been preparation for this accomplishment.
Olive Dame Campbell was a gifted, selfless lady of boundless mental and physical energy. Believing in the value and uniqueness of the individual, she came to the mountains with a “listening ear.” Her goal was to stimulate creativity, cooperative effort, and personal growth that never stopped. She endeavored to bring rural life to relate to the larger world while achieving satisfaction and fulfillment. Her colleagues regarded her as one who, in all situations, could be counted on to do the best that she could do. She was known for her wise, practical, and successful approach to controversial issues. Her stated purpose of the folk school, “to awaken, enliven and enlighten a community with lifelong learning,” explains the school’s motto, “I Sing Behind the Plow”.
—Rooney Floyd, Brasstown, N.C., July, 2015
Sources
- “Mountain Life & Work Magazine of the Southern Mountains” No. 4, 1954
- Appalachian Travels, The Diary of Olive Dame Campbell, 2012 Edited by Elizabeth M. Williams
- DVD: Sing Behind the Plow: John C. Campbell Folk School UNC-TV and John C. Campbell Folk School Copyright 2008
- File of John R. Floyd, Jr. (Various notes from the Archives, and staff interviews of the John C. Campbell Folk
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a copy of the dvd Sing Behind the Plow: John C. Campbell Folk School. To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends November 11, 2026.
You can learn more about John C. Campbell Folk School here.
Last night’s video: Waist Deep In A Sink Hole – From My Highest Hill 14.
Tipper
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
I appreciate you sharing the history and accomplishments of this lady.
She sounds like such an awesome lady! I just love the Campbell school and hope to someday take some classes there.
What an inspiring story of a great lady! I would have enjoyed knowing her so much!
Tipper, you are inspiring thousands of people through your videos and posts about Appalachia. I enjoy you everyday and your family feels like my family!
An inspiring life where one woman turned heartbreak into service to others! Truly a beautiful tribute that leaves me feeling how wonderful it would have been to know her.
Forgot to say for years and years I hunted and asked people if they ever heard the song mother called it “Froggy went a Courtin?” In the song book it was listed as (A Froghe Acoultry) My mother used to sing it a lot like she knew it from her childhood days. I can’t remember what year I read on your blog about English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians by Olive Dame Campbell and Cecil J. Sharp. I was absolutely tickled pink when I found that old song with a little history that it was sung by Mrs. Tom Rice at Big Laurel, N.C., Aug 16, 1916. My mother was born in 1916 in NE MS.
This was a couple who had a vision of helping people and making it happen. So glad they refuted the sterotype of the region.
Hello Tipper and acorns! What a wonderful story of Olive Campbell, I really enjoyed this article. It was well written by Rooney Floyd. I would love to visit the folk school, but sadly distance is a problem. Have a great day!
What a beautiful story and legacy. I’ve always admired the Appalachian people and their tenacious nature. For several years we hosted Danish exchange students and their zeal for education is amazing. Thank you for this story.
Wouldn’t Mrs. Campbell be happy to know the Folk School is still going strong, teaching and inspiring so many! I would love to visit there sometime, but it’s a far piece from Kansas.
My goodness, that dear lady led an inspiring life that blessed so many other people. Truly a gift!
Olive Dame Campbell seems so fascinating to me. To think that she gave her life to helping others makes her stand out among others of her time. But what came to my mind is the way she traveled in those days and how long it took for travel between places. Not only her travel on horseback and covered wagon and the kind of roads between the eastern states and NC but to think of going to Denmark. Compared to today’s conveniences, just everyday life like food and basic necessities of doing laundry and dealing with rain and cold is hard to imagine. But that was all they knew in those days. She had to be a kind and determined woman. I also can’t imagine what it took to be a stranger in the mountain community but to win the people’s trust. And to think that the Folk School, although changed, is continuing its mission today. As a result of her work people like your family, Tipper, are still influenced by it even though you don’t seem to be directly involved there as much as you used to be. I know a man from Ireland who came to take classes there and I appreciate the weekend class I took a few years ago. What a remarkable woman she was. Thank you for your November giveaways. You are another special woman helping mankind (and womankind) with what you do.
What an amazing woman. I’d like to learn more about the Danish folk schools.
Folk school is the best. I lost all my foxfire books from the 70’s to a flooded basement, never did replace them.
Hope you made it through the storm ok.🙏🏻
I love discovering & reading about women who” were before their time.” Olive Dame Campbell literally changed the world for the better despite her personal losses. This has been a banner week for me learning about 2 forward thinking women; I went to a lecture about Mary Treat, a pioneer naturalist, here in my backyard in the Pine Barrens of “South Jersey” and was introduced to Olive Dame Campbell by your writings. Thank you!
That was a beautiful story. what a wonderful lady.
Those who want to know more about the folk school and its year-round classes can go to folkschool.org. Artisan-made crafts can be purchased at Olive’s Porch in Murphy (olivesporch.org). What a wonderful organization to keep Appalachian culture alive!
The Folk School sounds so interesting. God Bless!
Now I understand more about the Folk School that you talk of so often. What a cool concept and place. I would have loved a place like that.
What a remarkable story. So interesting and inspiring. Know Olive would be so proud to know legacy lives on today. She does sound so strong and resilient. After the loss of two infants, she and her husband chose the path to make a difference and really help others. Thank you Olive for making such a difference in the life of others.We need more people like the Campbell’s in this wold we live in today.
Hope all you Acorns have a good weekend. it is mighty chilly this morning in these mountains where I live. Suppose to get down to freezing for two nights and then warm back up. We have still not had a hard frost here which is mighty unusual. Love and prayers to all you Acorns.
I feel like I just met a new friend after reading about Olive. I truly got shivers as I learned of her zest for life and her courage as she persevered through significant personal loss. The Folk School is on my bucket list and I can tell you that this post just moved it right up beside getting to come to a book signing and meeting the Pressley family ♡
I’m set for numerous appointments this month, the first being my every 3 month ct scan to determine if the current chemo treatment is working to control the growth of the cancer. I continue to feel great and I hope/pray the results back that up even tho my tumor markers are slowly rising. I would appreciate continued prayers and positive thoughts from this community of prayer warriors. We had our first hard frost last night and I’ve been looking out across the yard and field at the sparkling ✨️ diamonds. Here’s to our next season!
A very inspiring and enlightening history of the Campbell’s life, work and dedication to their dreams. Olive was certainly dedicated to the work she and her husband started together. I’ve only visited the Folk School during the fall festival but it is easy to see what a great institution of opportunity and learning it is.
I would love to have this book. We have visited the Folk School three times, which is not enough for me!
Now I want to know more about the DAR Tamassee School in Oconee County, SC. When my mother’s family was shattered by a tragic automobile accident that took her mother, several of Mom’s siblings went to live with relatives, but the youngest, a sister, went to Tamassee School.
Thank you for the very informative post. What a treasure and a blessing Mrs. Campbell was to the people of Appalachia. I would have loved to have known her.
Thank you for that information on Olive Dame Campbell. She was a true educator. The desire to foster the natural talents and interests of a person, each person uniquely, not to change them is what a real teacher has in their heart. What hardships she faced, but with such determination and love. A lady worthy of emulating!
good morning Meg, God bless you
What a fascinating account of two people with one vision who set and met their goals, and published the story! Rooney Floyd also did a good job in this article. Thanks, Tipper.
Thanks for sharing the history of the folk school-I definitely will visit it one day. It’s so interesting what they achieved with a clear vision and determination.
What a delightful sharing, Miss Tipper. I love the imagery my mind conjures of Singing Behind The Plow. I love to sing. I’m especially fond of the songs the Shakers wrote in their day. I’m very much involved in Shaker history. Thank you so much for this mornings history lesson.
Enjoy a blessed grace filled day, sweet lady.
Visiting this school is something else on a list of things I would like to do before I kick the bucket. I realize it is another thing I will not be able to do.
Of all things, yesterday there was a small magazine size Montgomery Ward catalog in my mail. I think it had about 80 pages. I thought Montgomery Ward had went completely out of business.
Good morning, Is the Folk School on or very near to the Blue Ridge Parkway?
No it is here in Brasstown 🙂
You might be think of the Penland School of Crafts near Spruce Pine NC. It is a similar school from the same era. It is about 30 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway still.
What a story and legacy she left behind! Enjoyed her life story and her dedication to her project. I live near the Folk School and feel even closer to it now.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the roots of the Folk School. There appears to be absolutely no condescension but truly caring efforts to assist the folk of Southern Appalachia…
Wonderful post. I learned so.much about the founders of the school and their determination to bring education to this region without changing the people who live here other than offering to them a chance for a more fulfilled life. I would have loved to sit down and talk with het about her travels and her dreams for this region. Also to have her look at the school today and see how far her dreams had come to fruition. Again thank you for the post.
Thank you for sharing. That was very interesting and inspiring.
God bless you Kourtni
good morning friends and family God bless you, my friend Beverly lives in Raleigh North Carolina, she often tells me a story about her mother riding horseback with her father, he was a circuit Rider preacher, she had a guitar and she had learned how to play, today’s story here makes me think of that, it’s a wonderful story I wish I could tell it all exactly how it goes, God bless you friends have a great day