Appalachian Memory Project - Spring Creek NC

As part of a grant funded by the Dogwood Health Trust, the Spring Creek Community Center is partially funding and participating in the Million Memory Project! The Spring Creek Board of Directors took our 2023 survey results from the community and applied for a grant to improve digital literacy and also bring in projects focused on genealogy for Spring Creek residents. This is in line with our mission of improving the socio-economic status of our township. The first phase of the Million Memory Project is called the Appalachian Memory Project, focusing on preserving memories in Appalachia. The first pilot program is here in Spring Creek, NC!

The Appalachian Memory Project (AMP) pilot program will utilize the space at the Spring Creek Community Center (SCCC) to collect and archive oral histories and digital images from Madison County residents. The project includes the creation of a training program to develop skills for others to help gather and preserve personal histories and images, with the ultimate goal of making these materials available in a public online archive and in the publication of a community memory book. We are also hiring 4 digital literacy interns from our local community for a paid internship, whom we will train in digital skills to help implement this project.

With the introduction of fiber optic internet to the Spring Creek area, new opportunities for economic development and digital literacy have emerged. The AMP pilot program is a direct response to these advancements, aiming to serve as a model for other rural communities to leverage technology for preserving local history and fostering community engagement.

We are excited to be working with a Dogwood Health Trust digital opportunities initiative for partial funding of this initial pilot program. With success the MMP hopes to expand the program to other Appalachian communities in mid-2025 and early 2026.

This collaboration between Spring Creek Community Center and Million Memories Project seeks to create a framework for preserving Madison County’s rich cultural history while empowering residents with new digital skills. If you live in Spring Creek we would love to have you participate in our next memory day!

Meet our Appalachian Memory Project Memory Coordinator

Donna Ray Norton, an acclaimed ballad singer from Western North Carolina, will serve as memory coordinator for this project. A proud eighth-generation ballad singer, Donna Ray has performed at venues like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Library of Congress. She is dedicated to preserving the ballads of her ancestors and passing down this tradition to younger generations. With her deep roots in Appalachian music and culture, Donna Ray will lead the collection of stories, memories, and photographs, ensuring the richness of the region’s history is captured authentically. She will also help collaborate with partner organizations to bring this project to life.

You can read about Donna Ray Norton and the legacy of ballad singing in Appalachia in this excellent Oxford American article.