Cultural Programs

Hindman Settlement School has always been dedicated to preserving mountain traditions. Through programs such as Appalachian Family Folk Week, the Appalachian Writers Workshop, artists-in-residence and others, the Settlement promotes the region's rich cultural heritage. Participants from throughout the U.S., and many other countries, come to the Settlement each summer to study with well-known and talented artists in many disciplines involving the traditional arts.

Literary Tradition

The Settlement has an outstanding literary tradition that started with the early workers who wrote about the school and Knott County. Ann Cobb arrived in 1905 and remained to write sketches and dialect poems, many of which were collected for her book, Kinfolk: Kentucky Mountain Rhymes. She left a number of unpublished poems that are part of the Hindman Settlement School archives. As part of the Settlement's 100th anniversary celebration, a new volume, Kinfolks & Other Selected Poems by Ann Cobb, edited with an introduction by Jeff Daniel Marion was published.

Lucy Furman, an accomplished writer before coming to Hindman, published five novels about her years as housemother to the small Settlement boys and her association with the school and the surrounding area. Her novels were: Mothering on Perilous, Sight to the Blind, The Quare Women, The Glass Window, and The Lonesome Road.

The late James Still, poet, novelist and short story writer, was associated with Hindman for nearly 70 years. He published 13 books, including his classic River of Earth. From the Mountain, From the Valley: New and Selected Poems by James Still, edited by Ted Olson, was released after his death in 2001.

The late Albert Stewart, poet and founding editor of Appalachian Heritage magazine, became part of the Settlement family at the age of five. He was the founder of the Appalachian Writers Workshop.

Two other books were also published as part of the Settlement's 100th anniversary celebration. The first comprehensive history of the Settlement, Challenge and Change in Appalachia: The Story of Hindman Settlement School, by Jess Stoddart, was published by the University Press of Kentucky. Crossing Troublesome Creek: 25 Years of the Appalachian Writers Workshop, edited by Leatha Kendrick and George Ella Lyon, was published by Wind Publications. These two books and the new Ann Cobb book can be purchased from the Hindman Settlement School's Crafts Shop.

Folklore Tradition

Hindman Settlement School is proud to move into its second century of promoting the traditional arts of Eastern Kentucky. The school's founders recognized the craftsmanship that existed in the area and set about to develop markets for crafts. That tradition has been carried on, most recently, through the Marie Stewart Museum & Crafts Shop, which now also hosts an online store.

Dr. Josiah Combs, the Settlement's first graduate, was an early pioneer in the folklore field. He went on to receive a master's degree from Transylvania University and a doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris. He taught at several major universities.

Another alumnus and staff member, Jethro Amburgey, became a well-known dulcimer maker, learning his trade from Uncle Ed Thomas, earliest known dulcimer maker in Eastern Kentucky. At his death, Jethro had made over 1,300 instruments. The bridge crossing Troublesome Creek at the Settlement School campus was named in memory of Jethro Amburgey.

By continuing the practice of promoting traditional arts of the area through the Appalachian Family Folk Week, folk artists in public schools, community activities and performances emphasizing the traditional arts of the region, the Settlement strives to preserve the rich and diverse heritage of the region.

Non-Discriminatory Policy

Hindman Settlement School admits people of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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