Mission, Vision, Goals
East Tennessee State University’s Center for
Appalachian Studies and Services documents and showcases
Appalachia's past, celebrates its cultural heritage, and promotes
an understanding of the influences that shape its
identity.
Welcome
The Center consists of three main units:- Administrative Offices
- Archives of Appalachia
- Reece Museum
The Administrative Offices of The Center involve cooperation with academic departments and other programs at ETSU, including Appalachian Studies, English, Sociology and Anthropology, Art and Design, Biological Sciences, History, Storytelling, and the Quillen College of Medicine. Other projects have involved outside agencies such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Smithsonian Institution, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance.
The Archives of Appalachia exists to collect, safeguard, and share the memories of the people of Appalachia. The Archives holds approximately 15 million manuscripts, a large photographic collection containing nearly a quarter of a million images, a music and folklore collection of over 25,000 sound recordings, and 6,000 films or video recordings supplemented by a special collection of regional books and publications. The Archives offers reference assistance, advice on conservation of materials, and duplication services.
The Reece Museum houses artifacts related to the Southern Appalachians including contemporary fine arts, folk art, and crafts comprising three permanent display galleries and a collection of more than 20,000 objects. Formally dedicated in 1965, the Reece, accredited by the American Association of Museums, serves to collect, preserve, and interpret art and artifacts important to Appalachia, and to provide programs of community outreach and public service that contribute to the cultural enrichment of the Appalachian region and its visitors. Three additional galleries at the museum are designed for temporary exhibits.