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Craftsmen At Penland School Ply Their Crafts
Ginseng-A Valuable Herb
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Not too many years ago the
mountaineers in Mitchell Coun
ty who grew ginseng would sit
up beside their patches with
rifles across their knees to
guard this valuable herb. The
"Sang" was a valuable source
of income ever since the peo -
pie learned how to prepare
the roots for market.
In China the herb is be
lieved to have miraculous heal
ing properties. Smith and Mc-
Elroy, merchants from "Caney
Creek, purchased many thou
sands of pounds for Oriental
markets as early as 1837.
Odd shaped Ginseng roots,
such as those which resemble
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a human figure, are believed
to have special value and
brought up to $25 a pound.
Prices for Ginseng Root now
have reached quite a bit more
money per pound, but the pre
cious herb has almost vanished
from this area.
Buladean
The Buladean Community
is said to have been named for
the daughter of the first post
man. It's former name was
Magnetic City, so called be
cause of the large deposits of
magnetic iron ore surrounding
the community.
Penland
School
The Penland Handicraft
School is one of the most in
teresting institutions in the
area. Penland attracts people
from all over the world who
come to learn to make beauti
ful things with their hands.
Vocational teachers come
to Penland School wishing to
expand their skill; others are
seeking a fruitful vacation.
The hobby-hunters come, and
retired people who wish to
learn a pleasant avocation.
The School grew out of
Appalachian School, operated
as a denominational instituticn
near Pen land. Miss Lucy Mor
gan, sister of the principal and
a member of Appalachian's fa
culty, decided that a practical
way to supply cash--whichwas
not easy to come by—to the
neighborhood was through the
revival of mountain crafts. In
just a few years time, many
Mitchell Countians were weav
ing, selling their products to
the public through the school.
Later, the program expan -
ded to provide instruction in
mountain crafts and skills to
those who might want to learn.
Penland School now has a
year-round program with se
veral modem buildings, and
a staff from many parts of the
world. In the interim, it has
achieved an international re
putation.
THE YANCEY RECORD AND MriCHELL LEDGER JUNE 24, 1971
Penland School Os Crafts Is Largest In Country
j We Welcome You i
To
j The Rhododendorn i
Festival
To Bakersville
And To
Mitchell County
Frank P. Garland
: Tax Collector & Treasurer \
: Os Mitchell County
: Bakersville, N.C. 1
PAGE 3