Digital Scholarship and Initiatives

Mapping LGBTQ+ History in Watauga County

Although Watauga County, like the rest of Southern Appalachia, has been historically stereotyped as heteronormative and homophobic, LGBTQ+ individuals exist here. This project highlights important places to local LGBTQ+ history and those who bettered their communities by educating, supporting, and being themselves. We combine mapping, archival material, and historical research to illuminate the history and culture of Watauga county's LGBTQ+ communities.

Garden Creek Virtual Exhibit

Created by Cameron Blumhardt for an undergraduate departmental honors thesis project, the Garden Creek virtual exhibit explores novel approaches for creating and curating virtual museums specifically for small-scale archaeological excavations.

Kelly E. Bennett: Apostle of the Smokies

Dr. Kelly E. Bennett (1890-1974) was a pharmacist, prominent civic leader, and political representative for Swain County, North Carolina in the mid-20th century. This exhibit explores Kelly E. Bennett Papers, housed in Appalachian State University's Special Collections Research Center, and Bennett’s role in shaping tourism in Western North Carolina.