The meaders family of potters is probably the most influential family in the history of folk pottery. I took to the dry goods line appalachian history when i started i didnt have very much. There are conflicting accounts, multiple stories, and varying theories about the 1st face jugs in the us. These tales could be a historical record of a lost civilization called the mooneyed people. Nov 12, 2019 appalachian history spanning roughly 1880s to 1950s. Appalachian memory keepers preserving appalachian history. Early notable face jug makers included charles decker in east tennessee, john dollings in southeastern ohio, and cheever and lanier meaders in north georgia. Appalachia early population 1 civil war era and industrialization 2 postwar to the present 3 bibliography 4 the appalachian mountains 5 range southwestward from quebec 6 and newfoundland in canada 7 to alabama 8 in the southeastern united states 9. In the far reaches of appalachia, granny witches were often the sole source of medical care and spiritual guidance. There are numerous mounds, stone structures, and other remnants from an unknown civilization throughout the appalachian mountains and beyond. Our contributor suspects african americans made this face jug during the civil war era and wonders if it came to philadelphia on the underground railroad. She knows the history behind every piece of pottery.
The tradition of pottery with faces dates back to egyptian and mesopotamian times and appears in many other cultures thoughout history. For this post, i want to look at the population history of appalachia. Faces of appalachian diversity and inclusion at appalachian. Genealogical research in the appalachian collection special. From mysterious creatures to ancient ruins of unknown origins, the appalachian region is steeped in a rich brew of history and myth. The rivalry went dormant when appalachian state moved to the sun belt conference after the 20 season. There has been a continuum in the interest of face jugs throughout the 20th century primarily centered on two prominent potters, burlon craig and lanier meaders. The meaders family pottery has made face jugs since it opened in 1893, using locally dug clays, footpowered wheels, and homemade glazes. This piece is a devil jug, with pointed ears, slanting eyes. The reasons behind face jug production has changed before and perhaps we are witnessing the continued evolution of face jug meaning.
There are no mint juleps or pampered folks wilting on their porches. Southern folk art pottery devil face jug michel bayne north carolina vessel nc. Art of the american south this site features a series of online exhibitions about various historical southern art topics. Interweaving social, political, environmental, economic, and popular history, john alexander williams chronicles four and a half centuries of the appalachian past. Appalachian memory keepers is a nonprofit organization committed to collecting and sharing the heritage and culture of appalachia. This is concerning because illustrators play a significant role in telling the story and if they do not have a personal history or indepth understanding of appalachia they are more likely to misrepresent it. The white county, ga family was featured in allen eatons 1937 book, handicrafts of the southern. In the 1920s, mackaye envisioned a line of farms and wilderness camps along the crest of the appalachian mountains that would be loosely.
There are several theories as to what function they serve. The appalachian mountains range southwestward from quebec and newfoundland in canada to alabama in the southeastern united states. People attribute the trails existence to a series of farsighted conservationists, the original which was benton mackaye. Jun 02, 2016 for this post, i want to look at the population history of appalachia. Granny magic healed sickness, birthed babies, removed curses, and predicted the weather. Celebrating the history of appalachia two new books shed light on the often misunderstood heritage of an impoverished region rich in culture. Eury appalachian collection is considered by many to be western north carolinas most comprehensive genealogical resource. The jugs became uglier in an attempt to identify the contents and frighten children. The digitized materials include sound recordings, oral histories.
The face jugs created by lanier meaders are highly sought by. The united states of appalachia and the encyclopedia. No one is 100% certain of how it originated, but two stories in particular seem to capture some of the mystique surrounding these oddly humorous creations. Mar 18, 2011 from jug to jug, shelf to shelf, wall to wall, her office overflows with face jugs, grouped according to the potters who made them, including steven abee, don craig, kim ellington, charlie lisk, and joe reinhardt. She suspects african americans made this face jug during the civil war era and wonders if it came to philadelphia on the underground. See more ideas about books, books to read and my books. Nov 07, 2016 appalachian history spanning roughly 1880s to 1950s. Early european examples date from the th century, and the german stoneware bartmann jug was a popular later medieval and renaissance form. For centuries, african americans have utilized face jugs and is a symbolic item of african american material culture. History detectives face jug season 8 episode 8 pbs.
Appalachian trail virtual tours tn history for kids. Later, the british toby jug was a popular form, that became massproduced. Fraiolis face jugs, as well as other pieces, including bowls and mugs can be purchased at the. Journal of appalachian studies a definitive, fascinating, extremely well written, comprehensive history of our region. His blog hosts more than 1,300 entries and hundreds of podcasts on topics ranging from mountain music to labor history to personal experiences.
Samuel peete, was a staunch supporter of the anglican church church of england. Jul 05, 2017 only 11 out of 48 picture books had appalachian illustrators in contrast with 40 out 8 picture books with appalachian authors. Meaders face jug loyal jones appalachian center berea college. Face jugs originated within african slave communities in the south.
From jug to jug, shelf to shelf, wall to wall, her office overflows with face jugs, grouped according to the potters who made them, including steven abee, don craig, kim ellington, charlie lisk, and joe reinhardt. Sep 05, 2012 asbury visited in his home several times. After all face jugs or any artistic tradition are a reflection of the culture that produces them, a dialogue between the makers and the purchasers about who we are and who we want to be as human beings, as. Appalachian history site that includes some stories of sc history. I love to engage with their fascinating history and watch mine change a little from year to year. Like nearly all things related to appalachia, there is no one clear answer to this question. The history of face jugs starts all the way back from the fourteenth century. Down through the decades, many appalachian children and adults have spent nights on the front porch, gathered around an elder, listening to stories that have seldom found a place in written forklore. In terry zugs book, turners and burners, burlon craig is quoted as saying. The great appalachian novels on this list are gritty. Not surprisingly, you also find people fighting back all throughout this history from the cabin. A history, one of the fields most accomplished historians takes on a monumental task and does so with sincerity, wit, and a keen sense of place. Since then, great books about appalachian history and culture have filled library shelves with descriptions of the suffering poor, the arrogant rich, and the extraordinary cruelty of mining society in the early 20th century. Sarah mbiki is an advocate for the role academic and professional student clubs play in the appalachian state university experience.
May 25, 2018 the mooneyedpeople story has persisted for thousands of years among different cultures from ohio to appalachia. Appalachian picture books loyal jones appalachian center. During the civil war, the local potteries and slaved labor mass produced clay wears like pitchers and plates for the confederate army. A brief population history of central appalachia in a. Snake jug glass ceramic, ceramic clay, pottery studio, pottery art, face jugs.
Their practices were simple, inventive, and always grounded in the natural world. Only 11 out of 48 picture books had appalachian illustrators in contrast with 40 out 8 picture books with appalachian authors. A mystery of history posted by selinanadeaublog on january 19, 2018 some parts of appalachian ohio hold some fascinating chapters of american history, but local potter maddy fraioli is bringing a story that stretches south beyond the. Appalachian studies west virginia university press. Jun 06, 2018 granny magic healed sickness, birthed babies, removed curses, and predicted the weather. There are plenty of legends and myths born in the mountains of appalachia. There are examples in the pottery of ancient greece, and that of precolumbian america. Although its focus is on the appalachian region, the library also collects genealogical resources from areas relevant to the migration patterns of appalachian residents, such as non appalachian pennsylvania and virginia. The senior computer science major credits her experience in the women in computer science club for providing her with support and mentorship opportunities as she completes a challenging major and prepares for work in a field that is traditionally maledominated. Understanding appalachian stereotypes in lee smiths oral history.
The dialect spoken by appalachian people has been given a variety of names, the majority of. Early notable facejug makers included charles decker in east tennessee, john dollings in southeastern ohio, and cheever and lanier meaders in north georgia. Of the many crafts indigenous to the mountains of north georgia and western north carolina, the most interesting is the face jug. Because the appalachian trail is beloved, there are entire books on its history. Stories, quotes and anecdotes from appalachia, with an emphasis on the 1880s 1950s. Course i would see them go into the store across the street. Ask potters or collectors what they think about face jugs and you will likely hear. Quillan lanier meaders never understood the huge popularity of his face jugs, saying that the people who bought them must be just crazy to start with the news and observer, north carolina, 1993. The history of face jugs the devil with snake of the many crafts indigenous to the mountains of north georgia and western north carolina, the most interesting is the face jug. Beautiful antique alkaline glaze folk pottery stoneware. The central and southern highlands of this ancient mountain range, consisting of the blue ridge and smoky mountain. May 07, 2006 celebrating the history of appalachia two new books shed light on the often misunderstood heritage of an impoverished region rich in culture. Central to what it means for each of us to be good citizens in a free society, to be a selfaccepting appalachian, creole, or indian, without being less of an american at the same time, is our ability to reflect critically upon the meaning of our culture and history cited in david cratis williams and patricia d.
The united states of appalachia, by jeff biggers, and the encyclopedia of appalachia, coedited by rudy abramson and jean haskell, both try to get. A ed publication of west virginia archives and history the dialect of the appalachian people. New listing otis norris primitive southern folk art pottery jugsnake frog ladybugsc. Mountain history is alive and well, thanks to historians like dave tabler. Some parts of appalachian ohio hold some fascinating chapters of american history, but local potter maddy fraioli is bringing a story that stretches south beyond the masondixon right back to shawnee, ohio. Appalachian state university libraries digital collections consists of rare and historic materials and are made available online through the efforts of the belk library and information commons and the departments of special collections, digital scholarship and initiatives, and resource acquisition and management. Along the way, he explores appalachias longcontested boundaries and the numerous, often contradictory images that have shaped perceptions of the region as both the essence of america and a place apart. This piece is a devil jug, with pointed ears, slanting eyes, and small horns.
Artsonia art exhibit appalachian face jug click now for more info. Understanding appalachian stereotypes in lee smiths oral. A history of american face jugs proctoring information. As those who follow me on twitter know, i spend a lot of my weekends traveling, especially in appalachia. A history of seaboard methodist church, 18801958, the committee on church history, seaboard methodist church, p. While it is unclear whether their origin derives from european or african traditions, appalachian potters of both races were making them in quantity by the late 19th century. Inspirationart journal inspirationcreative journalcreative artaltered books altered art. A mystery of history posted by selinanadeaublog on january 19, 2018 some parts of appalachian ohio hold some fascinating chapters of american history, but local potter maddy fraioli is bringing a story that stretches south beyond the masondixon right back to shawnee, ohio. One account lists an unknown potter in massachusetts as the creator of. Along the way, he explores appalachias longcontested boundaries and the numerous, often c. Rachel stephens art history 374 class at the university of alabama during the spring semester of 2014. While an older book, this is a must have if you are at all interested in catawba valley pottery. These are books with dirty fingernails, gravel roads, injury, illness. I first read about the edgefield face jugs i was taking an african art history class at.
The meaders family of white county ga keeps pottery traditions alive. I dont consider myself a face jug maker, and there is no great demand for my face jugs, but i do enjoy making them from time to time. As folk art, face jugs have become a significant feature in the history of africanamerican art. As those who follow me on twitter know, i spend a lot of my weekends traveling, especially in. New listing otis norris primitive southern folk art pottery jug snake frog ladybugsc. Genealogical research in the appalachian collection. Appalachian trail virtual tours virtual tours history. The lanky, guntoting, grizzlebearded man with a jug of moonshine in one hand and a coon dog at his feet, the archetypal patriarch of the mountains. Appalachian history spanning roughly 1880s to 1950s. African american grave decoration art of the american south. The senior computer science major credits her experience in the women in computer science club for providing her with support and mentorship opportunities as she completes a challenging major and prepares for work in a field that is. A brief population history of central appalachia in a state.
The face jug became known as ugly jugs in the 1920s and was often used to store alcohol. Granny witchcraft has its roots in ancient scotsirish. The battle for the old mountain jug was an american college football rivalry game played between the mountaineers of appalachian state university and the catamounts of western carolina university. Each project was researched, written, and curated by a student in dr. Bastard out of carolina by dorothy allison, what you are getting wrong about appalachia by elizabeth catte, a walk. We produce documentary films on a variety of subjects regarding appalachian history and culture. Rare older bobby ferguson devil appalachian face jug ebay old crocks. Although its focus is on the appalachian region, the library also collects genealogical resources from areas relevant to the migration patterns of appalachian residents, such as nonappalachian pennsylvania and virginia.
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