WCU's Mountain Heritage Award is given "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the preservation or interpretation of the history and culture of Southern Appalachia; or in recognition of outstanding contributions to research in, or interpretation of, Southern Appalachian issues." Award winners are chosen by a special committee of regional and campus representatives.
Download this information and form for application information:
What should the nomination include? (In less than 5 printed pages, excluding photos)
Email nominations to the Award Committee with “Award 23” in the subject line no later than Monday JULY 17, 2023 by 5PM.
Chancellor Kelli Brown with Butch and Louise Goings, recipients of the Mountain Heritage Award for individuals.
Chancellor Kelli Brown presents the Mountain Heritage Award for a group to the board of the Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center.
2022 Butch and Louise Goings (individual)
2022 Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center (group)
2021 Western North Carolina Historical Association (group)
2021 Dr. Bill Turner (individual)
2019 Cashiers Historical Society (group)
2019 Bill Crawford (individual)
2018 Penland Contracting (group)
2018 Ann Miller Woodford (individual)
2017 Folk Heritage Association of Macon County (group)
2017 Helen Cable Vance (individual)
2016 Dogwood Crafters (group)
2016 George Frizzell (individual)
2015 R. O. Wilson (individual)
2014 Bethel Rural Community Organization (group)
2013 Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (group)
2013 Susan Leveille (individual)
2012 Jackson County Genealogical Society (group)
2011 Stecoah Valley Center (group)
Chancellor David Belcher and Lloyd Arneach MHD 2011
2011 Lloyd Arneach (individual)
2010 Shindig on the Green (group)
2010 Annie Lee Bryson (individual)
2009 Great Smoky Mountains National Park (group)
2009 Amanda Swimmer (individual)
2008 Green Grass Cloggers (group)
2008 Gar Mosteller and Doyle Barker (individual)
2007 Warriors of Ani-Kituah (group)
2007 Arvil Freeman (individual)
2006 The Deitz Family
2005 Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Program
2004 Walker Calhoun
Tried Stone Young Adult Choir MHD 1987
2003 Ray Hicks
2002 Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
2001 Young Adult Choir, Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church
2000 Southern Highland Craft Guild
1999 Mary Jane Queen and the Queen Family
1998 Museum of the Cherokee Indian
1997 Cradle of Forestry in America
1996 Robert Bushyhead
Bea Hensley at MHD 1994
1995 Bea Hensley
1993 John C. Campbell Folk School
1992 Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual
1991 Hugh Morton
1990 Joe Parker Rhinehart
1989 Mary Cornwell
1988 Mars Hill College
1987 Jackson County Historical Association
1986 Mary Ulmer Chiltosky
1984 Old Buncombe Genealogical Society
1983 John B. Battle
1981 Asheville Citizen-Times Publishing Co.
Henry Arvel Greene and Jane Parton Greene at the Mountain Farm Museum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
1980 Henry Arvel Greene and Jane Parton Greene
1979 H. F. Robinson
1978 Leona T. Hayes
1977 Cherokee Historical Association
1976 John Parris