The Museum of Appalachia
It has been called "the star-spangled banner- from the country's pioneer past" and the "most authentic and complete replica of pioneer Appalachian life in the world". And we are so fortunate to live only 45 minutes from this wonderful historic jewel.
When I want to experience a piece of America's past, renew my mind, and refresh my imagination, I love to visit the Musuem of Appalachia, a place dedicated to the pioneers who settled in the valleys of East Tennessee starting in the early 1700's. I am so inspired by this beautiful place on God's green earth. Not only can I relive history, but I get wonderful ideas for my own garden grounds, and my artwork. On 65 acres sit dozens of authentic log hewn structures: barns, cabins, schools, churches and more. We recently walked the grounds on a cool drizzlely day, barely a soul was in sight... but one of the resident peacocks greeted us at the gate.
and we followed him and his 2 companions along the pebbled path,
and past the rustic garden fences.
And the purple martin gourd houses.
As dappled light falls upon the paths, and sweet birdsong tickles the air, the ghosts of history surround us and bid us welcome...
Every door is open, inviting us into the past,
and into a world so very different from our present existence.
A world lit with candles and lanterns,
where meals were cooked over hot coals in a fireplace, and not a bite was left upon the plate.
Meals cooked
in cast iron pots and pans, essential equipment for a pioneer kitchen.
Meals that were created from what grew on the land, whether it be the potatoes and corn, the hog raised in the pen, or the rabbit and deer in the wild... just a few paces from the back door and into the woods.
Life wasn't easy, you had to tough back then.
No complaining allowed.
But everyone pitched in, they had to. Butter was churned by hand and kept in a spring house, with the cream, the milk, the eggs.
Those eggs were valuable and chickens needed a safe dwelling too.
Meat was prepared with a lot of effort and time.
Families were large in those days and children did certainly not have a room of their own. Trundle beds came in handy.
Bed "springs" were actually made of rope.If there wasn't enough room for everyone on the bed,
you slept on the floor.
All the furniture was made by hand. Ladderback chairs are so very Southern, and every cabin had at least one.
Maybe gramma had a comfortable hand-made chair in which to relax and smoke her pipe, because women liked tobbacco too.
Perhaps even a little swig of whiskey from the village still...
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At least doing the laundry wasn't too big of a chore, seeing as how most pioneers were lucky if they owned one or two garments.
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And children went to school in a one room school house... if THEY were lucky enough to have one.
Children were taught the essentials: reading, writing and 'rithmatic...(taught to the tune of a hickory stick)
Of course, there were outdoor plumbing facilities....one for ma... one for pa.
If ever you should be in East Tennessee, visit the Museum. There is so much more than I could show you here.
Pack your kiddles in the wagon and come on down. It's worth the trip!
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( Be sure to look for Abraham Lincoln on the mantle in one of the cabins.)
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