A group of off-duty, fired and retired park rangers have organized a series of Juneteenth events, including one at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, to recognize African American history that is not approved for display at the federal sites.
Home » Stories » Hoodoo + History = Haints (Why Is Appalachia So Haunted?)
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Hoodoo + History = Haints (Why Is Appalachia So Haunted?)
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Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia Penitentiary, Mothman…our region has a long list of haunts and haints.
On this week’s Front Porch podcast, we ask folklorist Gerald Milnes about the roots of our deepest fears, and why these old Appalachian stories remain so strong.
Meanwhile, Rick Wilson reveals his theory of why Appalachia has more than its fair share of scary places: Hoodoo + history = haints.
Hoodoo – places with natural power
History – wars, disasters, murders
Folklorist Gerald Milnes has studied witches in eastern West Virginia.
Haints – that which haunts
Also, Rick reveals the reflexive property of haints: If it’s haunted, it’s got a haint.
An edited version of “The Front Porch” airs Fridays at 4:50 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s radio network, and the full version is available above.
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The WVPB News Department was honored with Overall Excellence in the Radio Small Market category. Us & Them, which is hosted by Trey Kay, was honored with Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the episode Us & Them: Black West Virginians With Substance Use Disorder Face Unique Challenges. Regional winners automatically move on to the national round for consideration.
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