Growing up in the Galax/Grayson/Carrol County area of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia provided me with a deep appreciation for the region’s history and culture. This page began over a decade ago as a pathfinder to both scholarly and informal resources regarding life in Appalachia. Feel free to contact me to discuss the selection of sites and recommend others.
Academic Programs
Appalachian Center – Berea College
Berea College has a long standing, active commitment to serving the people and cultures in Appalachia
Appalachian Center – University of Kentucky
An outreach program enacted by the university to establish community relations and foster growth and education in the Appalachian region.
Appalachian Studies Program – Virginia Tech
This is an undergraduate, interdisciplinary degree offered by Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Center for Appalachian Studies – Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University offers a MA in Appalachian Studies. This is a leading institution in the area of Appalachian history and culture.
Center for Appalachian Studies – Eastern Kentucky University
“The Center for Appalachian Studies at Eastern Kentucky University was created in 2000 to coordinate and promote a multi-disciplinary approach toward teaching, research and service on issues pertaining to Appalachia.”
Center for Appalachian Studies and Services – East Tennessee State University
This site offers a wide variety of information regarding Appalachia. It is quite extensive and offers the visitor a host of things to learn about.
Federal and State Agencies
Appalachian Regional Commission
This organization was established by Congress in 1965 to further develop the Appalachian region, both socially and economically.
Festivals
Galax, Virginia’s Old Fiddler’s Convention
The largest and oldest fiddler’s convention in the world. Bluegrass and old-time mountain music galore!
Libraries & Museums
Appalachian Collection – West Virginia University
View the titles held by West Virginia University including bibliographies, etc.
Blue Ridge Institute and Museum – Ferrum College
This site offers resources and material related to Appalachian life, customs and folklore. This is an important resource for Southwestern Virginia.
Blue Ridge Parkway – Things Historical
This site is an excellent resource provided by the National Park Service. It reviews Parkway History and the sites to be found along the Parkway, not to mention Appalachian history and culture.
Digital Library of Appalachia
“The Digital Library of Appalachia provides online access to archival and historical materials related to the culture of the southern and central Appalachian region.”
Gallery V, A Virtual Museum – Berea College
This is an excellent web resource concerning Appalachian life and culture. The site offers a web based tour of some of their collection along with information about other resources.
Manuscript Resources for Appalachian History – Virginia Tech Libraries
This is an excellent collection of primary sources related to Appalachia and its history.
W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection at the Belk Library – Appalachian State University
This is one of the premier collections of material related to Appalachian history and culture.t
Organizations
Appalachian College Association
An association 33 colleges in the south-central Appalachian region.
Appalachian Studies Association
This is a professional association dedicated to the study and improvement of Appalachian life and culture.
Publications
Appalachian Heritage
This literary quarterly is published by the Appalachian Center at Berea College.
Appalachian Journal – A Regional Studies Review
This is a scholarly journal documenting life and culture in Appalachia.
Appalachian Quarterly
Published by the Wise County (VA) Historical Society, the Appalachian Quarterly documents genealogy and history for approximately 162 counties in Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Foxfire
This is the parent organization of the famed series of Foxfire books on Appalachian life. Their web site offers links to the many different aspects of their organization.
Journal of Appalachian Studies
This is published by the Appalachian Studies Association (linked above) and documents life, history, and change in Appalachia.