Kids, ages 8-12, in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties can participate virtually in the Wonder of Water series, sponsored by the North Carolina Humanities and AMY Regional Library, on behalf of the Smithsonian Water/Ways traveling exhibit happening now at Yancey County Public Library. Each week, educator and photography Sue Wasserman, accompanied by videographer Martha Moore, [...]
Remembering Old Christmas When the change was made from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian one in 1752, eleven days were dropped. December 25th became the date to celebrate Christmas instead of January 6th, which came to be known as Old Christmas. It notes the date that the Three Wise Men arrived at the manger [...]
Christmas Traditions of Yesteryear in the Valley As elsewhere, Toe River Valley had its Christmas traditions that were continued each year. Among them were: Going to the woods to select a Christmas tree that was either a cedar, hemlock, or white pine Bringing in the tree and decorating it with an angel on top, long [...]
Judge Martin and His Outdoor Bathtub The first hand-hewn outdoor bathtub in the Toe River Valley was in the vicinity of Spruce Pine and was the idea of a judge. Judge Spencer A. Martin, a North Carolina native, became a soldier and a federal prisoner during the Civil War. When the war ended, he went [...]
Special Joy and Surprises for Thanksgiving One morning when Willie was twelve, he heard a scratching noise at the door. When he went to look, a small black and tan hound was there. The thin dog, wanting to be fed, jumped on Willie, and wagged its tail. Willie went back into the house and got [...]
Head on over to the Riverside Story Trail in Spruce Pine! Get a photo with Piney the Squirrel. We promise, it'll make you smile. Be sure to tag us!
Area Post Offices Aplenty! In the Toe River Valley, the number of post offices and their names provide a rewarding historical study with much to be learned. Earlier details about post offices listed Avery County with a total of 31; Mitchell County, 91; and Yancey County, 84 for a grand total of 206. Presently, Avery [...]
Back to Yancey County for some local history that's a tad puzzling and a bit on the grim side, courtesy of Mr. James C. Byrd, resident Local Historian & Special Collections Librarian here at AMY: After the land to build Mountain Heritage High School was purchased, it was discovered that an old and neglected cemetery [...]
