John C. Campbell Folk School Collection

Focusing on adult education, founders, Olive Dame Campbell and Marguerite Butler (later Bidstrup) modeled the John C. Campbell Folk School's program on the folk schools of Denmark. The school was named in honor of Olive's late husband John C. Campbell, who had envisioned the Danish approach as an effective means of educating young adults to become productive citizens who would stay in the mountains instead of moving away to urban areas. Starting with an old farmhouse and a log barn, the school expanded to include a farm, dairy, forestry program, forge, shop, crafts, and recreation program. The Danish practice called for linking the culture of work with that of books.  Instead of grades and degrees, the school emphasized practical skills of home and farm management blended with reinforcing pride in local culture, especially music and craft heritage.  The school also acted in building up cooperative community efforts such as the Mountain Valley Creamery, the Craft Guild, Men's and Women's clubs, and a Credit Union for farm improvement. Mrs. Campbell retired from the directorship In 1946 and was followed by D.F. Folger, George Bidstrup, John Ramsay, and Howard Kester consecutively. In the 1950’s and 1960’s numerous new projects were undertaken, including a literacy program and the growing of trellis tomatoes. More recent projects include a model campground, memorial gardens, stone houses of Danish influence, and student internship programs. As of the early 2000s, the Campbell Folk School continues as a center for education and cultural enrichment. It is the site of weekly community dances and lectures on subjects as varied as bee keeping and alternative energy sources. Major year-round learning opportunities include intensive two-week courses in weaving, woodworking, blacksmithing, enameling, leatherworking, and pottery.  Annual events include Folk-Dance Week, Little Folk School for children, and the Fall Arts, Crafts, and Music Festival.