Raymond Thompson, Jr. And Agape Rugs, Inside Appalachia

In the 1930s, hundreds of mostly African American workers died digging the Hawk’s Nest Tunnel. A photographer brings their stories to life in a new book. 

Also, when Jerry Machen began making art from old carpets in Tennessee, his wife Linda wasn’t impressed. 

And, a new exhibit shares the cultures of Indigenous people who call Appalachia home. 

In This Episode

Remembering and Reimagining The Hawk’s Nest Tunnel Disaster

Cutting A Rug To Make Art

Celebrating Central Appalachia’s Indigenous Heritage

Remembering and Reimagining The Hawk’s Nest Tunnel Disaster

The Hawk’s Nest Tunnel in West Virginia is the site of one of the worst industrial disasters in American history. More than 700 men, most of them African American, died of lung disease as a result of mining the tunnel in the 1930s.  

A new photography book sets out to bring their untold stories to life. It’s called “Appalachian Ghost: A Photographic Reimagining of the Hawk’s Nest Tunnel Disaster,” by artist, educator, and journalist Raymond Thompson Jr. 

Mason Adams spoke to him about the book and Hawk’s Nest Tunnel.

Cutting A Rug To Make Art

Lots of families live with furniture, silverware, and rugs, but we often take them for granted. We seldom think about who makes these items — or where to turn when they need repaired. One man in Kingsport, Tennessee, has been building and repairing carpets and rugs for over 50 years. For Jerry Machen, Sr., [May-chin] the business not only provides him with a livelihood — but also an outlet for expressing creativity.  In 2022, Folkways reporter Nicole Musgrave reported the story.

Central Appalachia’s Indigenous Heritage

For generations, historians argued that European settlers found Appalachia devoid of Indigenous people, that it was just a hunting ground, but Appalachia has long been home for Indigenous people. A series of events in Elkins, West Virginia is telling their stories. It’s part of the exhibit, “Creating Home: Indigenous Roots and Connections in the Appalachian Forest.” Chris Schulz reported. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Kaia Kater, Steve Earle, Jeff Ellis, Yonder Mountain String Band and John Blissard… 

Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

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Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.