The State Folklorist’s Notebook is a regular column written by state folklorist Emily Hilliard for Goldenseal magazine. This article appears in the Summer 2019 issue.
Announcing the West Virginia Folklife Legends & Lore Roadside Marker Program
West Virginia Folklife Legends & Lore Roadside Marker Program Apply Here First Round of Applications due May 1, 2019 What is the Legends & LoreR Roadside Marker Grant Program? The West Virginia Folklife Program at the West Virginia Humanities Council is excited to be partnering with The William G. Pomeroy Foundation to bring the Legends &…
The State Folklorist’s Notebook: “People need to know about plants”: Herbarist Marion Harless
The State Folklorist’s Notebook is a regular column written by state folklorist Emily Hilliard for Goldenseal magazine. This article appears in the Spring 2019 issue. Some people speak in complete sentences. Marion Harless speaks in entire paragraphs, punctuated by laughter. The first time I went to interview her at her home in Kerens in Randolph County, she…
West Virginia Folklife 2018 Activities Report
What has the West Virginia Folklife Program done lately? Learn about our 2018 fieldwork, programs, and activities.
2018 Master Artist & Apprentice Feature: Doug Van Gundy & Annie Stroud, Old-Time Fiddling of the Greenbrier Valley
Doug Van Gundy, of Elkins led an appenticeship in old-time fiddle of the Greenbrier Valley with Annie Stroud, of Charleston.
2018 Master Artist & Apprentice Feature: Marion Harless & Kara Vaneck, Green Traditions
Marion Harless of Kerens is leading an apprenticeship in green traditions with Kara Vaneck of Weston.
West Virginia Folklife Presents Apprenticeship Showcase: Fiddle, Blues & Gospel
Please us on the evening of January 16th for our second Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase, featuring master gospel and blues musician Doris Fields (aka Lady D) with apprentice Xavier Oglesby, and master old-time fiddler John D. Morris with apprentice Jen Iskow.
2018 Master Artist & Apprentice Feature: Doris Fields aka Lady D & Xavier Oglesby, Blues & Black Gospel
Doris Fields aka Lady D, of Beckley, is leading an apprenticeship in blues and black gospel, with Xavier Oglesby of Beckley.
West Virginia Folklife Presents Apprenticeship Showcase: Old-Time Fiddle & Salt Rising Bread
Please join us on the evening of Wednesday, December 12 for the first Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase, featuring master old-time fiddler Doug Van Gundy with apprentice fiddler Annie Stroud, and master salt rising bread bakers Jenny Bardwell and Susan Brown with apprentice baker Amy Dawson.
2018 Master Artists & Apprentice Feature: Genevieve Bardwell, Susan Ray Brown & Amy Dawson, Salt Rising Bread
Genevieve (Jenny) Bardwell and Susan Ray Brown of Mount Morris, Pennsylvania are leading an apprenticeship in salt rising bread with Amy Dawson of Lost Creek.
2018 Master Artist & Apprentice Feature: John Morris & Jen Iskow, Old-Time Fiddling and Stories of Clay County
John D. Morris of Ivydale is leading an apprenticeship on old-time fiddling, focusing on the traditions of Clay County, with Jen Iskow of Thomas. The first in a series featuring our five 2018 Folklife Apprentice Pairs.
St. Albans Artisan Has Been Making Neon Signs By Hand For Five Decades: A Profile of James L. Day
James L. Day of Day Sign Company in St. Albans has been making neon signs for five decades and is one of the last hand tube benders in West Virginia’s Kanawha Valley. We worked with West Virginia Public Broadcasting to produce a radio & video mini-documentary about Day for Inside Appalachia’s Road Trip episode.
