Preserve the history of your hometown.
We have several pilot projects underway. Check back to see as we add new projects.
The Appalachian Memory Project (AMP) pilot program will utilize the space at the Spring Creek Community Center (SCCC) and others around the county to collect and archive oral histories and digital images from Madison County, NC 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.
Learn more about the Appalachian Memory Project.
Through Our Eyes: Hurricane Helene
A Community’s Photographic Memory One Year Later
On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene struck the mountains of western North Carolina, leaving behind floods, landslides, and a community forever changed. In the year that followed, neighbors in Hot Springs came together not only to rebuild homes and lives but also to preserve the memory of what they endured.
This book is the result: a moving collection of photographs and stories gathered from across the community. From scenes of devastation to images of courage, compassion, and resilience, Through Our Eyes captures both the storm’s immediate impact and the spirit of recovery that defined the year after.
Created by the Million Memory Project and Rebuild Hot Springs Area in collaboration with local residents, this book is more than a photo album—it is a permanent historical record, a tribute to the people of Hot Springs, and a reminder of the power of storytelling to heal and unite. Every purchase directly supports the community that made the book possible.
Whether you lived through Hurricane Helene, have ties to western North Carolina, or simply believe in the strength of community in the face of crisis, this book is a testament you’ll want to keep and share.
Net proceeds from book sales directly support Rebuild Hot Springs Area. Learn More & Support This Project.