Category: Appalachia
Traditional Food in Appalachia
By Rea Needler from MIAR’s The Appalachian mountain range is around 2,000 miles and stretches from southern New York to northern Alabama, which means that there are many different traditional foods along the region. While each community and state have many cultural differences, customs, and traditions; the food of Appalachia…
A New Age of Appalachian Music
By Rea Needler from MIAR’s Appalachian music tradition and sound evolved from a massive blend brought by migrants from Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and West Africa. Types of songs ranging from ballads, fiddle and banjo tunes, and inspiration of religious hymns became the musical heartbeat of the Appalachian Mountains, preserving local…
Finding Home in Appalachia
By Rea Needler from MIAR’s Around 26 million people live in Appalachia as of recent census reports in 2023, and at least 10 million of those residences are from outside of the Appalachian region and have migrated here, one being myself. However, there has been a decline in population in…
The History of Bluegrass Music in Appalachia
By Iziah Cole from MIARs Introduction When most people hear bluegrass, they picture banjos, fiddles, and front porch jam sessions. But Bluegrass is much more than a style of music; it reflects Appalachian history, culture, and community. Even though the bluegrass genre became nationally recognized in the 1940s, its roots…
Car Culture in Appalachia
By Iziah Cole from MIARs Introduction Long before street racing and car meets, Appalachian drivers were modifying their vehicles for a different reason: Outrunning the law. What started with building faster, more agile cars in order to run moonshine helped shape stock car racing and helped contribute to a regional…
The Mystery That Still Haunts Flatwoods, WV
By Iziah Cole from MIARs The Flatwoods Monster The Flatwoods monster is one of Appalachia’s most famous cryptids, with sightings dating back to 1952, when it was first seen. Due to its massive media coverage, the time period during which it was spotted, its unique appearance, and the fact…