“Shenandoah National Park: The Human Cost of Conservation” This article by Christine Homa appeared in the online publication, Documents to the People, vol. 49, 2021.
Histories Along the Blue Ridge is a digital archive and public history project developed through a partnership between James Madison University, local circuit courts, and community organizations throughout Virginia's Blue Ridge region. The collection preserves and provides access to thousands of historic records, photographs, court documents, land records, and personal stories that document life in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley.
Of particular interest are records related to the creation of Shenandoah National Park and the mountain communities that were displaced during the 1930s. The site also includes materials on local government, education, elections, military service, health, land ownership, and everyday life across the region. Through these collections, visitors can explore the rich and complex history of the Blue Ridge while engaging directly with primary source documents that were once available only in local courthouses and archives.
The Appalachian dialect is one of the most distinctive and misunderstood forms of American English. Shaped by generations of settlers, particularly those of Scots-Irish ancestry, the dialect developed through a unique blend of cultural influences, geographic connections, and local traditions. While often described as a remnant of Elizabethan English, linguists view Appalachian speech as a living dialect that has continued to evolve over time. Rich with colorful expressions, unique vocabulary, and distinctive grammatical patterns, the language of the Appalachian Mountains reflects the history, identity, and cultural heritage of the communities that have called the Blue Ridge home for generations. This article explores the origins of Appalachian speech, the myths surrounding it, and the ways in which language continues to serve as a powerful expression of regional identity.
Appalachian English is far more complex than the stereotypes often associated with it. Rather than a single, isolated way of speaking, it is a diverse collection of regional dialects shaped by generations of settlement, migration, and cultural exchange throughout the Appalachian Mountains. Linguists emphasize that Appalachian English is a rule-governed and legitimate variety of American English, distinguished by its unique vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and expressions. Influenced by Scots-Irish, English, and other immigrant traditions, the dialect continues to evolve while preserving features that connect modern speakers to the region’s rich cultural heritage. This article examines how scholars define Appalachian English, explores the challenges of identifying a single Appalachian dialect, and highlights the linguistic diversity found across the mountain communities of Appalachia.
The creation of Shenandoah National Park transformed the landscape of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, but it also changed the lives of hundreds of mountain families who once called the region home. This article examines the efforts of the Blue Ridge Heritage Project and other preservation organizations to honor the communities that were displaced during the park's formation in the 1930s. Through the construction of memorial monuments, historical research, and community remembrance, these initiatives seek to preserve the stories, traditions, and legacies of the mountain residents whose contributions helped shape the cultural history of the Blue Ridge. By recognizing both the natural beauty of the park and the human history that preceded it, the article offers a deeper understanding of an important chapter in Virginia's past.