Special Collections Research Center

Traditional music and handicrafts have been and continue to be a focal point of Appalachian Studies. Musical instruments, as examples of material culture, carry two levels of meaning: they are simultaneously products of a culture and implements for generating culture. The instruments of the Appalachian region, then, are powerful and unique cultural signifiers, both within Appalachian culture and in the popular culture of the United States. Watauga County, NC in particular, has received much attention for its traditional instrument makers, especially those of the Beech Mountain area. This pathfinder lists important sources relating to the manufacture of Appalachian musical instruments, the lives and methods of the makers themselves, and the use of these instruments in their natural context. No attempt has been made to define “traditional” or “non-traditional” makers or means of crafting; however, the sources listed below pertain to what would be generally considered “traditional” makers and instruments. Sources which deal exclusively with makers and instruments representing areas outside of the Southern Highlands are not included. Some sources may not be currently available within the Appalachian Collection.