Heritage Day

Most of us that are native to the mountains have heard our elders speak of
the “good old days” when times were slower and simpler. Have you ever
wondered just how easy it was to survive in those times? In the days
before department stores, super markets and fast food restaurants, how
did our ancestors obtain the necessities of life? The answer is simple, they
grew, processed, and preserved their own food and helped one another in
many of the tasks necessary to prepare for the coming winter. Items that
could not be grown were purchased at one of the many small country
stores that dotted the countryside. For them, fall was a signal that soon it
would be time to endure the brutal winter this area is famous for.
Fall harvest activities consisted of many chores of necessity such as
gathering corn, apples and other crops. Then just as now, corn was a
staple of life for both man and animals. Corn could be fed to the animals
with little processing. However, to be suitable for human consumption, it
had to be ground into meal, the basic ingredient of bread.

(1890 "Pennsylvania" corn sheller)                 (1915 Williams Mill, corn mill)

Apples were processed and preserved in various ways. Two of the most
popular methods were the grinding and pressing of apples to make cider
and the cooking of apples over open fires to make apple butter.

                           (open fire apple butter)

Many of our ancestors gathered together to assist each other with these
tasks. Most small communities had a local grist mill where corn could be
brought for grinding into meal. The miller ground the corn into meal, taking
his “tole” or legal portion of meal from the grinding as payment for his
services. He offered this meal for sale to others that had no corn to grind.
The miller often operated his grist mill in conjunction with a store.

      (Williams Mill made in Roaring river, NC about 1915)
     (Operator: "Worn out old man made in 1949 that is on his last legs".)

Such establishments quickly became the center of community activities
where the news of the day could be heard while purchasing the few items
that could not be grown or harvested from the land. Families and
neighbors often gathered together to make several “runs” of apple butter.
Making apple butter was a very lengthy, labor intensive process that began
early in the morning and lasted until late afternoon. It required large
quantities of firewood, apples, and sugar along with lots of willing hands to
constantly stir the cooking apples and sugar in large copper kettles. Such
gatherings became much anticipated social events in mountain
communities. Not only was this a time of very hard work, it was also a time
of fellowship and renewing of acquaintances. The “good old days” were
indeed good, but we must never forget they were also times that required
great effort just to survive. Our ancestors were truly remarkable
individuals. We in this area can look back with pride at their
accomplishments as they did what was necessary to provide for their
families to the best of their abilities.

In 1996 some of the members of Chestnut Dale Baptist Church were talking
about their mountain heritage and how hard their ancestors worked to
survive. From this conversation, an idea sprang forth to celebrate this
heritage with an annual event where many of the “old ways” might be
duplicated and celebrated. Now ten years later the church is planning to
hold its tenth annual Heritage Day on Saturday, October 14, 2006. The
celebration will be held at the church located on Squirrel Creek road in
Avery County. Events will include activities such as the making of several
large kettles or “runs” of apple butter outside over an open fire, the
grinding and squeezing of apples into fresh cider on a homemade cider
press, shelling and grinding corn into meal with an antique grist mill and
flywheel engine that was originally operated around the turn of the century
by Rufus Johnson at his small store once located near the church and the
sawing of wooden shingles on an 1883 “Ireland” shingle mill powered by a
flywheel engine.
Antique vehicles and tractors will also be on display.

This year, the fellowship hall will once again be transformed into a Country
Store which will offer a variety of items for sale including a wide variety of
baked goods, candy, baked, tin signs, tin toys, candles, ornaments, Ashe
County Cheese, a wide variety of home-made preserves, relishes and
soups, plus many more items. Apple butter, cider, lye soap, and corn meal
will also be offered for sale in the store.

Church members also bring a variety of family heirlooms and antiques for
display during the day. While small and lacking the commercial aspects of
many other local fall festivals, Heritage Day has grown each year and
participants receive many compliments on the quality of the activities and
the spirit of community and friendship shared by all those present.
Approximately 600 pints of apple butter (including sugar free), 200 pounds
of stone ground corn meal, several bars of homemade lye soap and 30
gallons of fresh squeezed apple cider will be made and sold during the one-
day event. This year, Gospel Singing will be ongoing throughout the
afternoon starting around 2:30 p.m. All of the sales proceeds and
donations received from the day’s activities are used by the Chestnut Dale
Baptist Church Youth Group to sponsor many activities including aid to
various charities.

If you enjoy reminiscing about the “good old days”, seeing antique
machinery in operation, and enjoy good food and fellowship, then Chestnut
Dale’s Eleventh Annual Heritage Day on Saturday October 14, 2006 is the
place to be. There is no admission charge and everyone is welcome to
come and help stir apple butter or just “sit a spell”. Corn meal, cider, lye
soap, apple butter, and all general store merchandise will be available
starting at 8 a.m.   Chestnut Dale is located in Avery County on Squirrel
Creek road between Mount Pleasant and Frank. Direction signs will be
posted at area intersections. See our maps and directions page for more
detailed directions. For more information, please call Gerald or Minnie
Johnson at (828)733-2435.