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The Stephenson Center for Appalachia Welcomes Dr. Lloyd Bailey on Wednesday, July 17 at the Carson Library

July 8, 2013. Anyone interested in the history of life in the Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties will enjoy Dr. Lloyd Bailey’s lecture: “Old Yancey (The Present Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Counties), the County that Almost Wasn’t and the Character of its Inhabitants.”  The Stephenson Center for Appalachia at Lees-McRae College invites everyone to this stimulating program which will be begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Stafford Room of the Carson Library on Wednesday, July 17.

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Dr. Lloyd Bailey

For many years, the history of the mountains of Western North Carolina existed primarily in stories passed down from generation to generation.  Unfortunately, this mode of transmission often failed to preserve heritage in its full depth.  To ensure the record will continue to exist for years to come, Dr. Lloyd Bailey, whose roots run deep in Appalachia, has created what is arguably the best local history in the United States—his 11 volumes of Toe River Valley Heritage. Bailey’s multi-volume studies of the history and heritage of the Toe River Valley is unmatched in its depth and breadth in this country.  He has spent years collecting, studying, writing, and editing these masterpieces of local history.

Bailey’s scholarly credentials have been earned and demonstrated in Biblical studies during more than a quarter century as a professor in Duke’s Divinity School, during which time he has published more than 20 books and nearly 100 articles and has appeared many times on The History Channel, the Discovery Channel, and A & E.  Today he teaches at Mount Olive College and Meredith College.

At the same time in the past couple of decades, he has focused his energy and scholarly ability on the history and genealogy of the Toe River Valley, his ancestral home.  From the first volume of The Toe River Valley Heritage,  Bailey has captured the attention and earned the admiration of those interested in local history.  While many localities have a heritage volume or two, no other place has 11 thick, large volumes crammed full of life of the region.

“I have admired Dr. Bailey’s work and marveled at his energy for years.  Just when I think he has exhausted his subject, he comes out with another fascinating volume,” says Dr. Michael Joslin, director of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia.  “We invite everyone to hear Lloyd Bailey’s program on our homeland and participate in our exploration of the Toe River Valley.”

Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lectures are free and open to the public.  Lloyd Bailey’s lecture will be held in the Stafford Room of Lees-McRae’s Carson Library beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.  For information contact Megan Hall at 828 898-8729.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Lees-McRae College is a private, four-year college offering diverse baccalaureate degrees, strong athletic programs and outstanding faculty. With 800 students hailing from 39 states and territories and more than 10 foreign countries, Lees-McRae’s broad core curriculum is enhanced by field-specific career preparation and experiential learning with an emphasis in leadership and service. For more information, please visit www.lmc.edu or call 828-898-5241.