By Bailey Faulkner
Local author and historian Terry L. Harmon will hold a book signing in support of his latest book, Watauga County Revisited, at the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis on Saturday, April 16 at 11 a.m. Harmon’s history of Watauga County is featured as part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series.
Terry L. Harmon
As an eighth generation Wataugan, Harmon knows the High Country well. An avid genealogist, he has traced his own lineage back to the late 1700s, when his family first arrived in the area.
He first became interested in genealogy at 12 years old due to, among other influences, his uncle’s research into their family history.
Now, Harmon has been researching and preserving his family’s story for almost 40 years.
During that time, he has nearly completed his vision to publish a history for all four of his grandparents’ families. Having published three already, he is currently completing the fourth.
“I want to see how my family fits into local history,” Harmon said.
Harmon completed a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in social studies at ASU. Harmon also worked in ASU’s Registrar’s Office for nine years and is in his 20th year of employment with Samaritan’s Purse.
Watauga County Revisited
Watauga County Revisited is Harmon’s first professionally published work.The book features pictures of local landmarks, notable personalities and traditional ways of life around the High Country. Harmon’s deep ties to the area add a richness and depth to his knowledge of the area.
“For me, there’s just another level of making it very personal. It is a labor of love,” Harmon said.
Arcadia’s Images of America series highlights the history of small towns across the United States. The series includes old and rarely seen photographs that capture “often forgotten bygone times.”
Harmon is grateful for Arcadia’s help in bringing back the history of Watauga County.
“I hope that Watauga County Revisited will delight readers with its many rarely seen and never before published images; that it will educate folks who are unfamiliar with our county’s past; that it will spark fond memories, rekindle an interest in local history and help bring the importance of historical preservation back into focus and into the forefront of discussion,” said Harmon.
You can find Watauga County Revisited in a number of stores and shops around Boone and the High Country. Village Pharmacy in Blowing Rock, will carry the book, along with Boone locations like New River Building Supply, Boone Drug at Deerfield and Goober Pea’s Country Store. You can also purchase it online at Arcadia Publishing, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Book Signing
Harmon’s book signing will be held on April 16 at the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis at 11 a.m. If you can’t catch him then, he will host another book signing at the Hickory Ridge Homestead museum at Horn in the West on May 7, opening day of this season’s Watauga County Farmers’ Market.
More than anything, Harmon wants to share the High Country’s history with other locals. He encourages everyone to dig through old photo albums and share their families’ histories, as well.
Don’t miss this opportunity to take a look into the High Country of yesterday!
Check out these images and many more in Watauga County Revisited:
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