Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Fletcher Collins (1906-2004): Appalachian Teacher and Folklorist
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This paper describes the life and contributions of Fletcher Collins, best known for his folklore collection from 1936-1942 now housed in the Library of Congress. The paper draws upon an interview conducted by the author with Collins who taught at the well-known Arthurdale School from 1934-1936 in Arthurdale, West Virginia. Arthurdale was the first of 100 federal subsistence homesteads established by the New Deal and under the direction of the Department of Interior. This rural West Virginia community was developed to resettle coal mining families displaced by the decline of the coal industry during the depression. Eleanor Roosevelt took a keen interest in the project and the people, and sought a special school for the children of the miners based on the philosophy of progressive education. American philosophy John Dewey served as an educational adviser to the project and his former graduate student Elsie Clapp served as principal and director of community affairs for Arthurdale. This paper chronicles Collins’ contributions in Appalachian folklore which began as he taught English, drama, and music at the Arthurdale School from 1934-1936. I will also explore his teaching philosophy and how he attempted to help poor rural students in the midst of economic depression gain a sense of place and cultural identity through music, poetry, literature, and drama.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Dr. Stack is a Professor of Social and Cultural Foundations at West Virginia University where he teaches history, philosophy, and sociology of education.
Fletcher Collins (1906-2004): Appalachian Teacher and Folklorist
This paper describes the life and contributions of Fletcher Collins, best known for his folklore collection from 1936-1942 now housed in the Library of Congress. The paper draws upon an interview conducted by the author with Collins who taught at the well-known Arthurdale School from 1934-1936 in Arthurdale, West Virginia. Arthurdale was the first of 100 federal subsistence homesteads established by the New Deal and under the direction of the Department of Interior. This rural West Virginia community was developed to resettle coal mining families displaced by the decline of the coal industry during the depression. Eleanor Roosevelt took a keen interest in the project and the people, and sought a special school for the children of the miners based on the philosophy of progressive education. American philosophy John Dewey served as an educational adviser to the project and his former graduate student Elsie Clapp served as principal and director of community affairs for Arthurdale. This paper chronicles Collins’ contributions in Appalachian folklore which began as he taught English, drama, and music at the Arthurdale School from 1934-1936. I will also explore his teaching philosophy and how he attempted to help poor rural students in the midst of economic depression gain a sense of place and cultural identity through music, poetry, literature, and drama.
