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Description
At the outbreak of American involvement in World War II, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) began construction of the massive Fontana Dam in western North Carolina, inundating several communities and requiring the relocation of residents.
Dedicated to the preservation of the history and culture of Western North Carolina, the Proctor Revival Organization reveals hidden secrets of WWII’s Manhattan Project and its connections to the construction of the Fontana Dam. Now, after eighty years, PRO gives recognition and honor to those whose sacrifice sealed the success of the war.
Join us to learn more.
About the Speakers:
Judy was born and raised in the far western region of North Carolina in Graham County and grew up on a small farm at the confluence of Wolf Creek and the Proctor Branch, named for Judy’s ancestors. She grew up surrounded by a large, extended family with the subtle influences of her Scots-Irish, English, and Cherokee ancestors. After graduation from Gardner-Webb University, Judy worked in the first state funded, public kindergarten program in North Carolina. While working throughout Graham County and came to love and respect the mountain people and their unique culture. Ron grew up in Fontana as his parents had made their home there for most of his life. Ron served and the Air Force and the two married in 1975. After returning home from living abroad, their passion for history led them to search into the impact that World War II had on the lives of their fathers, as well as how its effects had so greatly influenced the culture of western North Carolina.
In 2007, Judy and Ron opened the historical home of Judy’s grandparents using material from a church demolished due to construction of the Fontana Dam and the filling of Fontana Lake. The two developed a site where the unique, intriguing history of their ancestors is on display and where the story of their beloved mountain people is captured, in a unique way, through a “living history” experience they call the “Proctor Revival”.
The Proctor Revival Organization, an entity of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team, (GREAT), continues to seek out and promote ways to honor the memory of those who made the success of WWII possible and to enhance economic prosperity throughout western North Carolina by promoting this important history.
Tickets: Free for AMoH and OLLI members/ $10 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.
Location: Reuter Center at OLLI at UNCA (300 Campus View Rd, Asheville, NC 28804)
Viewing: Online attendees will receive a confirmation email with Zoom link with which to view the program.
(Image: Workers constructing the Fontana Dam courtesy of the Tennessee Valley Authority archives)
This event is co-sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville. For questions, email Polly Rolman-Smith at director@ashevillehistory.org
Date & Time
Tue, May 14, 2024 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Venue Details
Reuter Center - UNCA/OLLI
300 Campus View RoadAsheville, North Carolina 28804
