At the turn of the 20th century, the Appalachian region in western North Carolina was a remote, poverty-stricken area with few educational opportunities. Due to the lack of employment opportunities, many young people left the area. John Campbell and his wife, Olive dreamed of forming a school that would serve the people of the Appalachian Mountains and improve the quality of life for the mountain people.
Unfortunately, John died before he saw his dream realized, but Olive and her friend, Marguerite Butler sought to carry the dream forward by establishing a school. They dreamed of patterning their school after the Danish folk schools that had, in the 19th century, helped to transform rural areas in Denmark into viable communities. They envisioned a school that would foster education while preserving the native culture and practices of the region. To understand the "folk school" concept, Olive and Marguerite went to Denmark to study folk schools. There they met George Bidstrup, a Dane who would later come to Brasstown, NC, assist in the development of the folk school there, and later marry Marguerite. According to my mother, the people in and around Brasstown were very supportive of the folk school concept and provided land, labor, and love to help make the school a reality. In 1925 the John C. Campbell Folk School was established though the joint efforts of the local community and the vision of its founders. The school has evolved and changed over the past 85 years, but it continues to offer educational programs in a beautiful mountain setting. On Sunday, March 7 come hear Jan Davidson play folk music and share the Folk School history and current practices that reflect a desire to preserve and respect the culture and heritage of the mountain region. No doubt you will want to add the Folk School to your summer enrichment plans. My mother would tell you it is a magical place!
Oh, in case you are wondering, my father managed the creamery at the school. He came to the school fresh out of college when he was only a few years older than the students, one of whom was my mother.
