Join us at the Dougherty House at Mystery Hill the first Saturday of each month from 2-4 pm for Storytelling Saturday! Enjoy Jack Tales and traditional Appalachian stories passed down from generations told by storytellers. Admission is included in the price of your Mystery Hill ticket, so you can also enjoy the Gravitational Anomaly, museums […]
Witness as Hickory Ridge is transformed into a settlement under the occupation of the British Army in 1781. See how citizens reacted to having an army literally on their door steps. See how they would fight back without the British knowing. Also see how the British Army treated their subjects after their defeats at Kings […]
Join us at the Dougherty House at Mystery Hill the first Saturday of each month from 2-4 pm for Storytelling Saturday! Enjoy Jack Tales and traditional Appalachian stories passed down from generations told by storytellers. Admission is included in the price of your Mystery Hill ticket, so you can also enjoy the Gravitational Anomaly, museums […]
Dr. Jim Hamilton is Watauga County's Director of Cooperative Extension. For the last ten years, he's been huntin', plantin', transplanting, consuming, and teaching workshops about ginseng. Dr. Hamilton will discuss the significance of ginseng to western North Carolina, its role in local and global markets, and other cultural nuances of ‘seng.
Come and visit with Legendary Potter, N.C. Living Treasure, and unofficial Mayor of Penland, Cynthia Bringle. She will take us through her storied career and artistic process. Stay a while and listen, you won't be disappointed. This event is limited to 30 people. Pre-registration is preferred. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status. More details […]
With her latest work, Saving the Wild South, veteran writer and storyteller Georgann Eubanks takes a leap into the world of botany to bring readers a deeper understanding of both the threats and most promising developments in the protection and restoration of our region's extraordinary biodiversity. Astute readers will find a connection in this new book […]
Join us for a special living history performance by potter, Jim McDowell, artist in residence at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. This performance will be a 2-act one-man show where Jim portrays enslaved potter David Drake (c.1800-1870s). Then Jim will share his personal life story growing up in D.C. during the civil rights […]
Join us at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum for an Exhibition Celebration in honor of the recently opened exhibition, Jagged Path: the African Diaspora in Western North Carolina in Craft, Music, and Dance. Meet and mingle with the curators and artists of the exhibit. This event is free and open to the public, […]
Come honor those who lost their lives in service to the nation. The Annual American Legion Post 256 sponsored Memorial Day Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 28th at 11:00am in the front of Memorial Park at the Gazebo - join us!
Join us in celebrating June as African American Music Appreciation Month with a lecture from music historian and professor of Jazz Studies, Todd Wright. The program, Personalities in Jazz: A North Carolina Connection, will focus on the contributions of three genre-defining musicians who all hail from North Carolina: John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone. This […]
Image credit: The oldest known banjo, c. 1770-1777, from the Surinamese Creole culture. Owned by an enslaved person and collected by J. G. Stedman in the 1770s. Calabash gourd, sheepskin soundboard, wooden neck. Part of the collection at The Dutch: Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen. The modern banjo is an instrument commonly associated with the Appalachian […]
This program will focus on the history of African Americans and the Blue Ridge Parkway, from the landowners who had to sell their land for the parkway to be built, to people that worked on the construction, segregated rest areas, all the way up to today. Our guest speakers include researcher Rebecca Branson Jones, historian […]
Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in a 5 day/4 night "Drums of Autumn" Novel Adventures Experience! They offer exquisite lodging in authentic historical buildings of the 1800’s at The Mast Farm Inn, all meals prepared by private gourmet chefs in fresh farm-to-table fashion, hikes (low impact degree of difficulty included), ziplining/ropes course(optional), whisky […]
Blaring bagpipes, astounding athletes, delicate dancers, rocking Celtic music and a spectacular highland setting makes this colorful celebration of Scottish culture the best highland games in America. Admission charged. Website
App State Presents: Examining the ecological impacts of the Civil War and how scholars write history Join App State’s Judkin Browning and Tim Silver for an enlightening discussion about their new book, An Environmental History of the Civil War — a fresh look at the most written about event in American history. Browning and Silver […]
The Lunch and Learn Lecture Series features interactive and informative programming that provides a behind-the-scenes view of the festival’s offerings in the visual arts, music, theater and dance. Film Screening: DocuAppalachia: A Half Century Focus on the Environment. In 2017 an untitled, silent 16mm film reel from the 1970s was discovered in storage in Boone, NC. The heavily spliced […]
On Tuesday, July 26th, the Blowing Rock Civic Association will host its second Summer Session at the American Legion building at 4:30 PM.
As part of Boone’s Doc Watson Day Celebration, 2020 Grammy Award-winner Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper perform August 19 on the stage named in honor of Watson, the seven-time Grammy-winning legend who lived in nearby Deep Gap, NC. Vince Gill described Cleveland as follows: “Michael plays fearless and it’s intoxicating to play with him because he […]
This is a collaborative project by the Blowing Rock Civic Association and the Blowing Rock Historical Society. The entire video will be shown for the
first time and features 8 historical narratives on location & with pictures. Starring Dr. Barry Buxton.
The event is open to the public, and copies of “A Village Tapestry” will be available to purchase and autographed. All proceeds go to the Blowing Rock Historical Society. If you already own the book, you may bring it to be autographed.
Presented by Appalachian State University Don't miss App State Professor Emeritus Tim Silver for an eye-opening discussion of his book, Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains: An Environmental History of the Highest Peaks in Eastern America. In his work on this book, Silver drew on both the historical record and his experience as a backpacker […]
Image Credit: Christian Friedrich Mayr. Kitchen Ball at White Sulphur Springs, Virginia. 1838. Oil on canvas. North Carolina Museum of Art. The music and dance traditions of southern Appalachia have often been portrayed as a culture that was brought to the U.S. from the British Isles. In fact, they have multicultural roots. They are a […]
Located just east of Blowing Rock, this event celebrates the history of Jamie & Claire's North Carolina backcountry wilderness through workshops, hands-on activities, music, food and much more. The two-day event includes events and a meet & greet with special guest Graham McTavish of the Outlander television series! Limited tickets available. Website
BRAHM is hosting an open house this Fall to celebrate the Museum. Head over and chat with docents, meet the new director, and see Jagged Path: the African Diaspora in Western North Carolina in Craft, Music, and Dance before it ends! Light refreshments including a cash bar will be available.
We are celebrating 134 years with a hometown birthday and potluck dinner. All of Blowing Rock is invited to bring a covered dish or dessert.
RAYMOND CHRISTIAN is a retired, decorated army paratrooper and combat veteran, Doctor of Education, Fulbright Specialist Expert in Education and Storytelling Narrative, and former Adjunct professor teaching African American History and Storytelling at Appalachian State University.
Head over to Shoppes on the Parkway to get your classic car fix! Located in the parking lot by Banana Republic from 10am-5pm.
Vice Admiral, Sean Pybus, will speak. He is USN retired, and a former Commander of U.S. Navy Seals. He is highly decorated, and has served with distinction in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. All are invited to attend.
Head over to the original Mast General Store to enjoy FREE popcorn throughout the day and join in on a special tour of the Original Mast Store led by Lisa Cooper, who spent four years living in the store when her parents re-opened the historic location in the 1980s. Tours are limited to 15 people and are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Annual event at the Bolick & Traditions Pottery studio, about 4 miles south of their gallery shop on Main Street in Blowing Rock. Be present at 10 am to watch them unload the groundhog-style wood kiln.
This year in honor of 100 years providing an arena of possibility, an opening into the soul and a door into the world, the Library Association will host events celebrating our library. These events will offer a chance to meet three local authors, listen to their voice, and ask them questions, as well as sample their creativity.
Blaring bagpipes, astounding athletes, delicate dancers, rocking Celtic music and a spectacular highland setting makes this colorful celebration of Scottish culture the best highland games in America.
This year in honor of 100 years providing an arena of possibility, an opening into the soul and a door into the world, the Library Association will host events celebrating our library.
The 2023 Tour of Homes will be on Friday, July 28. Tickets available from St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church.
This year in honor of 100 years providing an arena of possibility, an opening into the soul and a door into the world, the Library Association will host events celebrating our library.
"Deciphering Doc Watson" -Arthel “Doc” Watson was one of the greatest guitarists the world has ever seen. His lightning-fast guitar licks and smooth baritone voice earned him international recognition and 8 Grammy awards. When he emerged on the national music scene during the Folk Revival of the 1960’s he was billed as a pure folk artist who learned his repertoire from his forefathers on the front porch.
Head to The Perry Car Barn on Thursday, Sept. 7, for an elegant celebration featuring live music, a silent auction, wine provided by Sunset & Vine and delicious fare from The Best Cellar, plus a chance to view the impressive Perry collection of vintage cars. Proceeds support improvements at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.
Join exhibiting artists Herb Cohen and Lynn Jenkins in conversation with long time neighbors, friends, and collectors of Artists Alley, Sue Glenn and Lee Rocamora. Moderated by Ian Gabriel Wilson, Curator of Exhibitions & Collections at BRAHM, this roundtable discussion will provide insight into the formation of the artist-centered community, the daily life of residents, and the lasting impact of the Artists Alley community on Blowing Rock.
Song to Seed features seed-saving demonstrations, stories, humor, fiddle tunes, rare heirloom seeds to share, and original songs about Appalachian foodways. Hosted by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and sponsored by The Center for Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University, please come and join us for a lively, interactive, and fun program.
Phil Archer, the Betsy Main Babcock Director of Reynolda and the curator of its current exhibition Smith & Libby: Two Rings, Seven Months, One Bullet, will join us to talk about the characters and stories that led up to–and resulted from–the most tragic, titillating, intriguing, and baffling night in the long story of North Carolina's "second grandest estate." Reception with the speaker following the talk.
Growing up playing music together in Boone, North Carolina, the sisters’ sound is focused around the type of breathtaking vocal harmonies that can only come from the unique bond shared by siblings, expertly complemented by tight instrumental arrangements and a bona fide love of the traditional songs they play.
the Stephenson Center for Appalachia will be presenting “A Gallery of Appalachian Culture” on Friday, Nov. 17. The walk-through exhibition will be set up in the Hayes Auditorium lobby following the end of Friday’s 2 p.m. matinee.
An eerie cycle of ghost stories, set in the cave country of North Carolina. After a young girl is lost in a cave on the edge of town, there is a Rashomon-like investigation of her disappearance and the fate of those who survive her.
Always the Saturday after Thanksgiving! Bolick and Traditions Pottery will host their Annual Thanksgiving Wood Kiln Opening on Saturday November 25. The groundhog style wood kiln will be unloaded at 10am on Saturday morning. Guests are encourage to be present at that time to watch the items being taken from the kiln and then make their selection.
Join us for an interesting lecture with Mike Carpenter of the Exploring Joara Foundation.
He will talk about:
the expeditions of De Soto (in NC in 1540) and Pardo (1567-1568) (routes and goals);
Join us for a special discussion of the exhibition A Tapestry of Our Roots with representatives from Q’Pasa Appalachia and Immigrant Connection of the High Country.
Head over to the American Legion and celebrate Blowing Rock's 135th birthday! The public is invited so bring your friends too! There will be birthday cake, and a historical video on Blowing Rock.
Head to BRAHM for a roundtable discussion with three artists featured in our exhibition, Pulp & Bind: Paper & Book in Southern Appalachia.
Lela Arruza, Rosa Dargon-Powers, and Georgia Deal will share their artistic practice with us and explore their approach to the medium of paper.
Appalachian State University English professor Craig Fischer—who teaches classes in comics and graphic novels—will speak on seven editorial cartoons that enraged readers and newspaper publishers alike.