The Intersection of Appalachian Mountain Heritage and Green Living

Posted on: March 31, 2008 by Whisper Mountain

The history of the settlers of Madison County in North Carolina includes the Sandy Mush towns, Trust and Luck, a short distance down from Whisper Mountain. Generations of rural Appalachian families have been living on the land in Trust and Luck since the time of the Civil War, and even before this, in post Revolutionary Times. Like many Appalachian farm families, the natives are characterized with incredible endurance, disciplined work ethics, ingenuity, a commitment to individual freedom, and a loyalty towards kin and neighbors. The Appalachian Mountain farmer’s history traces the history of the United States from its infancy through contemporary times. A lifestyle of self-sufficiency and knowledge of how to best utilize the resources on the land are some of the most admirable traits of the Appalachian farmer.

Recycling Buildings and Materials: A Way of Life in the Appalachian Mountains

For the Appalachian mountain farmer and his family, a reliance on natural land resources was intrinsically tied to their survival. They have utilized the techniques of recycling whole buildings, or the materials that were part of the building, for generations. Because the communities of Trust and Luck are isolated — with huge mountains bordering either side — there was time and expense attached to importing building materials to the community. So, recycling became a way to economize and utilize all of the resources that were at their disposal. This meant that if one building was torn down, there were usually eager hands there to collect the materials for another project.

The Practice of Recycling and Reuse: The Re-Birth of a Sorghum Mill

One example of recycling and reuse was demonstrated by Bob Buzzerd and Larry Cook. Their experience was documented by Stephen Cain, in 1998: http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/oralhistory/SMC/cain_stephen_molasses.htm Buzzerd and Cook, both natives of the Sandy Mush area, resurrected an 1812 molasses sorghum mill and put a mule and a mare in service to operate it. Together they cultivated crops of sorghum grass and then harvested the molasses from the crops with a mule and horse drawn mill. Their operation was imperfect. During their first crop, some beavers discovered the sorghum and harvested it on their own. And one sorghum crop was less than expected due to drought. Yet, their persistence and ability to re-learn old ways proved valuable, and their sorghum mill serves as a colorful example of recycling and reusing materials.

How Does Whisper Mountain Preserve Settlers Heritage?

At Whisper Mountain, the preservation of historic sites and buildings was a priority during inception of the project. The land, and many of the structures on it, are a permanent reminder of Appalachian mountain tradition and culture. The creators of Whisper Mountain have avidly preserved historic camps, passes, and trails on the mountain during all phases of the project, in order to honor the contribution the early settlers have made. View a map of Whisper Mountain for a visual overview of the open space that has been preserved. It is a all tied to the settler’s heritage and history http://whispermountainnc.com/wm/index.html. For a more detailed description of the sites on Whisper Mountain, click on the trails link, or, better yet, call: 877-689-2626 to schedule a tour of the mountain and some of the homes and home sites on Whisper Mountain.