America 250 Speaker Series

The America 250 Speaker Series explores the people, places, and events that have shaped the history of McDowell County and Western North Carolina. Through presentations by historians, researchers, and community experts, these programs offer opportunities to learn more about our region's rich and diverse heritage.

The recordings below have been preserved as part of the Beyond 1842 archive to ensure that these stories and educational resources remain accessible to students, educators, researchers, and community members for years to come.

Whether you are exploring local history for the first time or deepening your understanding of the past, we invite you to watch, learn, and discover the stories that continue to shape our community today.

Browse the recordings below to explore local history topics presented through the America 250 Speaker Series. Click any video to begin watching.

This is the 1st episode in the series, and features Anne Swann, a local historian and author. Listen as Anne speaks on the heroes of the wild frontier.

This is the 2nd episode in the series, and features Dr. John Lafferty, he serves on the board of Historic Burke Foundation, as docent for the Exploring Joara Foundation, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Listen as Dr. Lafferty speaks on "How (and Why) the Scots Irish Helped Win American Independence

This is the 3rd episode in the series, and features Brooke Cochran Burney, the Treasurer and Event Planner for the NC Gold Foundation. This discussion covers the gold history of McDowell County, North Carolina.

This is the 4th episode in the series, and features two members of West Marion, Inc: Dawna Goode-Ledbetter & Tonia Plummer. This discussion covers Civil Rights, Race Relations, and Desegregation in McDowell County. The work of West Marion, Inc is also highlighted.

This is the 5th episode in the series, and features Patricia Cooper Baker, author and authority on Western NC History. This discussion covers "The Twelve Days of Colonial Christmas"

This is the 6th episode in the series, and features: Steve Pierce, President, McDowell Trails Association; Christina Redman, Director of Public Land Programs, Camp Grier; Jon Lane, Director, G5 Trail Collective; and Shannon Odom, Executive Director, McDowell County Tourism Development Authority. This discussion covers "McDowell County's Recreational History. The discussion will explore how McDowell County's natural resources have shaped its recreational history through time and encouraged tourism in the present day.

This is the 7th episode in the series, and features: Mayor Steve Little and Dr. Dan Pierce, Co-founders of the RAIL Memorial Project. The Railroad and Incarcerated Laborer Memorial Project, is a community-led initiative in Old Fort, N.C., dedicated to honoring the thousands of mostly Black convict laborers who built the Western North Carolina Railroad through the Swannanoa Gap (1876–1879). The project aims to memorialize the workers, often forgotten, who endured brutal conditions. The initiative highlights that over 3,000 inmates built this challenging rail section, with roughly 125–300 workers losing their lives.

This is the 8th episode in the series, and features: Nancy Pheasant, a Cherokee Storyteller and Mark Ledford a Cherokee Historian. The presentation is "Before the Trail of Tears: Cherokee-Settler Relations in 18th-Century Western NC". They will be discussing the relations between the settlers and native Cherokees on the 18th Century frontier. Nancy will also talk about the Cherokee woman's role within their tribe.

This is the 9th episode in the series, and features: Author John R Lewis. The speaker, John R. Lewis, has recently published a book about Colonel Adams. Colonel Daniel W. Adams, was an outstanding citizen of Old Fort, North Carolina. He was an architect, engineer, geologist, forester, inventor, soldier, patriot, innovator, and businessman. He was internationally known for his expertise in forest fire prevention and underground excavation.