Officers from the Jackson County Genealogical Society accept a 2012 Mountain Heritage Award from Scott Philyaw (far left), director of WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center, and Susan Belcher (far right), wife of WCU Chancellor David O. Belcher. Representing the society are (from left) Kenny Nicholson, president; Ruth Shuler, office manager; and Bud Cantrell and Bill Crawford, vice presidents.
Rob Tiger (center) is congratulated by Susan Belcher, wife of WCU Chancellor David O. Belcher, and Scott Philyaw, director of WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center.
Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Awards for 2012 were presented Saturday (Sept. 29) to Rob Tiger, a Hayesville community leader who has led numerous efforts to preserve that town’s historic and cultural heritage, and the Jackson County Genealogical Society, whose members have been working for more than two decades to advance genealogical research in Jackson County and across the region.
List of Award Winners
1976 John Parris
1977 Cherokee Historical Association
1978 Leona T. Hayes
1979 H. F. Robinson - more information here.
1980 Henry Arvel Greene and Jane Parton Greene
1981 Asheville Citizen-Times Publishing Co. - more information here.
1982 Douglas James Ferguson
1983 John B. Battle - more information here.
1984 Old Buncombe Genealogical Society
1985 Penland School of Crafts - more information here.
1986 Mary Ulmer Chiltosky
1987 Jackson County Historical Association
1988 Mars Hill College
1989 Mary Cornwell
1990 Joe Parker Rhinehart - more information here.
1991 Hugh Morton
1992 Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual
1993 John C. Campbell Folk School
1994 William Douglas Davis
1995 Bea Hensley - more information here.
1996 Robert Bushyhead
1997 Cradle of Forestry in America
1998 Museum of the Cherokee Indian
1999 Mary Jane Queen and the Queen Family - more information here.
2000 Southern Highland Craft Guild
2001 Young Adult Choir, Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church - more information here.
2002 Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
2003 Ray Hicks
2004 Walker Calhoun
2005 Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Program
2006 The Deitz Family - more information here.
2007 Warriors of Ani-Kituah (group)
2007 Arvil Freeman (individual)
2008 Green Grass Cloggers (group)
2008 Gar Mosteller and Doyle Barker (individual)
2009 Great Smoky Mountains National Park (group)
2009 Amanda Swimmer (individual) - more information here.
2010 Shindig on the Green (group)
2010 Annie Lee Bryson (individual)
2011 Stecoah Valley Center (group)
2011 Lloyd Arneach (individual)
2012 Jackson County Genealogical Society (group) - more information here.
2012 Rob Tiger (individual) - more information here.