Episode 7: Berea College, Fireside Industries, and the "Revival" of Mountain Crafts

In the early 1900s, Berea College accomplished something extraordinary: they revived the mountain craft of weaving. Many women left their looms behind when affordable factory cotton became available, but Berea College created Fireside Industries, a commercial enterprise, as a way of preserving hand weaving practices in the area. Various heads of Fireside Industries--especially Anna Ernberg, a Swedish immigrant and weaving expert--expanded the consumer demand for handwoven goods by traveling and speaking in the North. The college invited expert craftspeople like Candice Wheeler to teach techniques and advise on design to local craftswomen and students who participated in the program. Eventually, Fireside Industries combined with other craft programs at the college to become Student Craft, an important part of the college today that allows students to work and develop craft skills. Listen in to learn this complicated but fascinating history and find out how crafts in this area were preserved and evolved through Berea College. Thorough show notes with all of our sources here: https://tinyurl.com/2bdz7vz4 Do you have a question or a topic we should cover? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com ! You can also find us on Instagram and Tumblr .