We are a traveling family. We love to get into the car on a dark early morning (leaving when it’s dark makes us feel like we’re truckers) and just have a plan of where we will stay, but not necessarily what we will do. However, this time, I had a request. I really wanted us to go to the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. I wanted to go there the last time we went on the Southern Highroads, but we didn’t have enough time. Now, we’re going to make the time.

The drive from Atlanta to Southern Highroads is always a pleasant, scenic journey and this was no exception. Driving off of old hwy 64, you turn onto Brasstown Rd at Clay’s Corner Gas station, a good stopping off point for an ice cream cone or some canned possum meat (not kidding).

Clay’s is famous for their annual New Year’s possum drop celebration. As you turn onto Brasstown Road you approach the Folk School’s campus, first driving by the hayfields and along meadows, the first turn to the left takes you to the school’s Craft Shop. The next turn just up the hill on the left is the wooded circular drive to the  Historic Keith House, where the main office is located. The school’s History Center is also here. The Folk School unfolded before my eyes!

Thanks to JCCFS for letting us use this picture!

John C. Campbell Folk School opened in 1925 thanks to Olive Dame Campbell and Marguerite Butler (along with the vision of Olive’s husband John who passed away before the vision was completed). They brought in their collective knowledge that they had obtained from traveling through Appalachia which included agricultural practices, crafts, ballads, tools, and the heartbeat of the mountain life. Along with the founders, the local people of Brasstown helped to build and develop the folk school into what it is today: a culture center of learning and living together.

We were just dropping in for the day, but we were able to explore the campus on our own and able to look into each of the classes. I found the campus to be extremely accessible and it had such a peaceful feeling. I was hoping to move in. They do have lodging available including a campground with RV sites. See? I can live in a tent right there. But my husband said something about my job, our child, washing dishes? Details. Details. Oh well, it was a nice dream for a little bit.

The classes we were able to peak into were basketry, quilting, woodcarving (they’re home to the famous Brasstown Carvers), and blacksmithing. Looking into the classes makes you want to go to their Craft Store and get some of their books to take home and try it yourself. There were many other classes going on, but our 5yr old was getting a little squirmy so we decided to take one of the Nature Trails. It’s not just any Nature Trail either, there is *plenty* to experience along the paths, and the backdrop of the mountains was breathtaking. We decided to picnic right there at Rivercane Walk rather than eating at the school’s dining room. It felt nice not keeping to a tight schedule or a tour group, but be able to meander around and take our sweet time. After we were done eating, we headed over to the History Center to learn about the school and the area and also see some of the crafts from their 85yr history.

It’s perfect for a one day visit, or even if you have a few hours to spend in the area… go to the folk school to do your souvenir shopping, learn about Appalachia culture and history, and take in nature. That’s what we all do when we’re on vacation right? Well, you can do that all here at the folk school. Plus on most Friday nights they have a concert series (which I missed) and on Saturday nights they have community dances (which I missed). So you know what that means?
We need to plan another visit!

However, if you travel on the Southern Highroads Trail, you may see actual foxfire, but one may be talking about The Foxfire Fund. The Foxfire Fund is an educational and literary organization in Mountain City, Georgia. Less than 5 miles off Southern Highroads, up Black Rock Mountain, around a dirt road, and just when you think you’re lost.. you’re there!

Foxfire Fund produces magazines and books in order to educate and entertain people about the lives and culture of the Appalachia people. They’re not just simple “hillbillies”. It is a vast and rich culture of self-sustaining folks who have a wealth of knowledge. And this knowledge was bound together in a magazine beginning in the late 1960s, with the first production of their book in 1972.

Foxfire has produced many books since that time and has turned it into a learning experience for those in Rabun County, GA. Their learning technique has actually come into demand from other people wishing to expand on their own culture.

Due to the popularity and profitability of the Foxfire books, the Foxfire Fund (and the help of their students) were able to get land on Black Rock Mountain and clear it out to make way for the Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center. The students built the buildings you see here. Yes. Students. High school students built all of that. That’s how passionate they feel about the organization they belong to.

A little blog post like this does not give Foxfire enough credit to them though. To really experience it, you have to visit their museum. For more information about them, visit their website: The Foxfire Fund. On our trip we were lucky to coordinate it on the Living History Days, which will be in another post. Look for that soon!