The Folk School

 In 1925 Marguerite Bidstrup and Olive Dame Campbell founded The John C. Campbell Folk School in the tiny village of Brasstown, North Carolina.  Modeled on the Danish Folk School, The John C. Campbell Folk School, named for Olive’s late husband, an Episcopal priest-educator, has for nearly a hundred years offered non-credit adult courses in a huge variety of arts and crafts ranging from carving to cooking to spinning to blacksmithing.  Today about 7,000 people each year take weekly and week-end courses at the Folk School.

When I was Director of the Cherokee County United Methodist Parish from 1973-1978, I spent many hours and days at the Folk School as it was within the Parish.  I even helped run the community dance program there as a volunteer. In later years I taught storytelling courses and was on the staff for numerable summer and Christmas dance weeks.  Dances were held in the beautiful Keith House community room.

As Trish had never been to the Folk School, we had to stop by when we passed near on our way to the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival.  Of course, our visit included time in the gift shop!