Appalachian Memory Project
Your photos. Your Memories. Our History.
Help Tell the Story of Madison County, North Carolina
The Appalachian Memory Project (AMP) pilot program will utilize the space at the Spring Creek Community Center (SCCC) to collect and archive oral histories and digital images from Madison County residents. The project includes the creation of a training program to develop skills for others to help gather and preserve personal histories and images, with the ultimate goal of making these materials available in a public online archive and in the publication of a community memory book.
With the introduction of fiber optic internet to the Spring Creek area, new opportunities for economic development and digital literacy have emerged. The AMP pilot program is a direct response to these advancements, aiming to serve as a model for other rural communities to leverage technology for preserving local history and fostering community engagement.
We are excited to be working with a Dogwood Health Trust rural economic development grant for partial funding of this initial pilot program. With success we hope to expand the program to other Appalachian communities in mid-2025 and early 2026.
This collaboration between SCCC and MMP seeks to create a framework for preserving Madison County’s rich cultural history while empowering residents with new digital skills.
We have two upcoming Memory Days at the Spring Creek Community Center on May 10th and July 12th in conjunction with the Spring Creek High School Reunion. Click below to book an appointment on one of those days.
We will be announcing Memory Days in the Laurel Community, the Fines Creek community in Madison County very soon. We will also have a pop up booth at this years Bluff Mountain Music Festival in Hot Springs, NC.
Meet our Appalachian Memory Project Memory Coordinator
Donna Ray Norton, an acclaimed ballad singer from Western North Carolina, will serve as memory coordinator for this project. A proud eighth-generation ballad singer, Donna Ray has performed at venues like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Library of Congress. She is dedicated to preserving the ballads of her ancestors and passing down this tradition to younger generations. With her deep roots in Appalachian music and culture, Donna Ray will lead the collection of stories, memories, and photographs, ensuring the richness of the region's history is captured authentically. She will also help collaborate with partner organizations to bring this project to life.
You can read about Donna Ray Norton and the legacy of ballad singing in Appalachia in this excellent Oxford American article.