Western Carolina University WCU University of North Carolina Asheville UNCA

Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (21) View all
University of North Carolina Asheville (6) View all
WCU - Oral Histories of Western North Carolina

Interview with Margaret Ramsey

Copyright Download
  • An interview with Margaret Ramsey conducted as part of the "Macon County Craft Tradition" project--a student project for a course offered at Western Carolina University. A native of Macon County, Margaret briefly discusses her family history, noting that one of her ancesters, Jacob Siler, was the first white settler in the area circa 1818. After completing her degree at Western Carolina University, Margaret became Chairman of the Board for Maco Crafts in Franklin, a co-operative that grew out of the Macon Program for Progress under the umbrella of the War on Poverty. At it's peak, membership reached up to 250 members, mostly from Macon County, although that has changed in recent years. Training was provided to help craftspeople develop their skills, obtain materials and market their crafts. Margaret directed the training until 1978, when she became the manager of Maco Crafts and has remained on the Board for many years. Maco Crafts produced the World's Biggest Quilt, measuring 18 ft x 21 ft and completed by almost 100 quilters in the early 1980s. The quilt was well-traveled and was displayed in the Kennedy Center at one time. Margaret discusses traditional quilting techniques as well as shares a few anecdotes about some of the quilters.

Related items

Part of Collection

Oral Histories of Western North Carolina

These interviews document the communities and culture of Western North Carolina. Topics include the building of the Fontana Dam, the history of WCU, stories from local veterans, integration of the...

View collection Read introduction
panzoom image