Robert Proffit talks about Meat Camp's early history from the first settler John Green in 1788. Over the next few decades, people began to trickle in to Western North Carolina. He talks about the first churches in the area: Hopewell Methodist Church and Meat Camp Church. He also describes the civil war, how many members of the community enlisted with the confederate army, but after the war there wasn't much difference in Meat Camp. Proffit explains Meat Camp well with this statement: "there was never anything here to begin with except just natural things."

Albert Hash began making things out of wood at a young age. He had a dream as a child about making a fiddle, and did the best he could with the tools he had and a plank of wood. He continued to perfect his wood-working and carving skills and began to make more instruments. He also worked in clock making, farmed for a short time, and went to school for mechanical engineering.

Mr. and Mrs. Townsend talk about the Depression and how it affected their families. He explains: "It was just everything, you know, seemed different and a shortage of everything." Farmers were the ones who fared the best, because they didn't have to buy in order to support themselves. His family worked on a farm during the Depression, but they didn't own the farm. Most people in Ashe County, because they "lived so far back from everybody else" didn't know much about the political situation, or why the Depression was happening. He remembers that when Roosevelt things changed, and schools started to be built in his area. His father was assigned to a work program and had to walk eight miles a day to get to work.

Ms. Trivette's interview consists of many memories from her childhood including growing up on a farm, what the town of Todd was like, and her experiences in the schoolhouse setting. She then goes further talking about her memories of her education leading up to her teaching career. Although she mentions little on World War II, she talks more in detail about the Great Depression and what its effects were like on the neighborhood. Ms. Trivette also recollects her personal experience with the flood of 1940. She explains what local church was like when she was younger compared to her current experiences with church. Ms. Trivette also speaks of the folktales her grandmother believed in. By the end of the interview, Ms.Trivette discusses politics from her childhood to the present including elections and presidents. While speaking of politics, she mentions past laws and offers her opinion on women's equality.

This diary was recorded daily by Andrew Jackson Greene from May 23 through August 26, 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Greene get to spend more time alone because the children are gone. They frequently visit family and friends. They also have much work to do on the farm during this time. People named throughout this diary include but are not limited to W.H. Brown, T.E. Johnston, and W.J. Mast.

Andrew Jackson Green recorded this diary from July 17, 1926 through October 19, 1927. Greene wrote about church, the weather, the Appalachian Training School, and his family and friends. Places named throughout this diary include but are not limited to Friendship Baptist Church, Watauga County, Boone, Cove Creek, Willowdale Baptist Church, Lenoir, and Mabel.

This diary was recorded by Andrew Jackson Greene from August 18 through September 4, 1938. Inside this diary one will find personal reflections and records. Greene recorded the daily weather, and his many travels. He also wrote each day about what he had done, observed, and heard. Through these writings one can find information about the many different areas of Watauga County from Vilas to Boone, including many landmarks such as Appalachian State Teachers College, and Willowdale Baptist Church.

This is an envelope addressed to Elizabeth Eller.

This letter from Fannie Kirby to her aunt Elizabeth talks about Christmas and events in her and her friends’ and family’s lives.

This letter from Aswell "A.P." Eller to his brother discusses a trip Aswell plans to make to visit his brother. The letter also mentions the gripe (gastric or intestinal pain).

This is an envelope addressed to Elizabeth “Bettie” Eller, dated 26 September 1889

This is an envelope from Robert Lee Kirby addressed to Frances “Nan” Kirby, and dated 10 June 1887.

This is an envelope addressed to Millard Kirby and dated 26 July 1887.

This is an envelope addressed to Ada Kirby and dated 1885.

This is a letter from Emmitt McEwen to Mollie Eller, whom he describes as an acquaintance. Emmitt writes about how he hopes to get married soon and that he worries he will not be able to marry any of the women who live in Ashe County because they might all marry before he gets back.

This is a letter from Hansford Eller to his parents, Luke and Sarah Eller. Hansford says that he has heard from his brother Aswell, and that he is fine. There is also mention of an attack planned on a town once a gunboat comes to the area, however, Hansford believes that is some time off.

This is a letter from Martha King to Luke Eller and M. Brooks. Martha writes the letter to tell her friends about where she is now living as she has moved away from the Ashe County area. She says she is glad not to be in the cold mountains and enjoys where she is in Georgia very much.

This is a deed for fifty acres of land purchased by Edward King.

This is a letter from Emma Baker Martin to Betty Kirby Eller, her aunt. The letter focuses on domestic affairs, such as the household budget, family, and upcoming trips, along with various friends’ correspondence.

This is a letter from Emma Baker Martin to her aunt Betty Kirby Eller. The letter discusses two things primarily, butter and other household items. Betty sent Emma several pounds of butter as part of a long-running exchange of goods they have set up, this is featured heavily in their letters. The rest of the letter continues to discuss the various prices of products and problems friends or people in town are having with certain goods.

This is a letter from Emma Baker Martin to her aunt Betty Kirby Eller. The letter opens as usual for Emma, writing about the price of butter, fabric, and postage. Emma also mentions her youngest child, Virginia, who is healthy and playful. The letter closes with a rant about her indentured servant, whom she greatly despises.

This is a letter from Emma Baker Martin to her aunt Betty Kirby Eller. The letter discusses many of the things Emma frequently writes to her aunt about. Butter is the main topic, as Emma has received her regular shipment from her aunt. Emma also mentions her cow, and how she gets some milk from it each day which she turns into butter, but that she never has enough of anything to cover all eight of the boarders they have in their home.

This is a letter from Emma Baker Martin to her aunt Betty Kirby Eller. The letter mentions a photo that Emma says she includes in the envelope, but said photo is not present. Emma talks about butter, when she received her regular package of butter, how much money she made off of it, and then moves on to other subjects. Emma talks about her African American help, how working makes her feet hurt, and how her husband sees her working habits.

Edward Eugene Blackburn was born on August 29, 1893 to Alex (b. 1852 – d. June 1, 1926) and Rhoda Howell Blackburn (b. February 12, 1856 – d. December 6, 1934). He was married to Ollie Clawson Blackburn (b. July 29, 1893 – d. June 1985). He grew up in the Todd community of Ashe County and served in the U.S. Army during the First World War with the 318th Field Hospital of the 80th Division. He experienced combat in France, which is briefly mentioned in the interview.

Many affectionately knew him as “Brother Ed” or “Uncle .” The Reverend Ed Blackburn and his wife took over the leadership of The Tabernacle, a non-­‐denominational Holiness church across the hill from his childhood home. This church later became the Blackburn Community Church, was originally started by his father around 1910. His uncle was U.S. Congressman Edmond Spencer Blackburn (b. September 22, 1868 – d. July 21, 1912) who served in 1901-03 and 1905-­07.

During the interview Ed Blackburn talks about growing up in rural Ashe County. Topics include explaining the rules to a game called “dare base,” and his experience working at a grist meal and laying railroad track as a young man. He also discusses the railroad in Todd, timber stripping, religion, and family.

Josie Mae McGuire Critcher was born on May 10, 1876 to Paul McGuire and Laura Martinee Lewis from Ashe County. She married Gaither Critcher on April 27, 1898 and they had seven children that included Thelma, Lena, Willie, Jessie, Paul, Robert, and Hubert.

Gaither was a farmer and carpenter, and also pruned trees and shrubbery. The entire family helped on the farm and mother Josie did the cooking, canned food for the winter, spun cloth to make clothes, made quilts, embroidered pillow cases, made scarves, and crocheted lace and fringe. She also taught weaving at Watauga Handicrafts in Boone. During the interview she talked about her parents, siblings, making soap, quilting, education, using lamps before electricity, and raising children.

She died in June 17, 1977 at the age of 101.

William Ron Davis was born in Todd, North Carolina on July 30, 1896, attended college at Appalachian Training School for Teachers (later became Appalachian State University) starting in 1917, then taught in Watauga and Ashe Counties for 32 years. He passed away on March 9, 1978 at the age of 81.

During his interview, Ron reflected on his rearing in rural Ashe County including his education, the rules to games they played as children, and discipline. He spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on education including his thoughts on how education has changed.