Blowing Rock: A Sense of Place—A Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture

What makes Blowing Rock historic and unique? Does the area convey a sense of place? Local professor and historian Trent Margrif will answer these questions in his presentation Blowing Rock: A Sense of Place on Thursday, March 22 at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium as part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia series.

During his presentation, Margrif will share rare photos, unique oral histories and provide insightful observations of the Blowing Rock community. Having scanned 10,000 images for the Blowing Rock Historical Society collections, he has a wealth of material to share as he offers an in-depth focus on community life in the historic mountain resort town. With his varied experience with historic preservation, he will provide a perspective on the town’s place in the larger context of heritage conservation locally, nationally and internationally.

An adjunct instructor at Appalachian State University, Margrif received his master’s degree in historic preservation from Eastern Michigan University. He has directed non-profit historic preservation organizations in Delaware, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, and has completed historic surveys for various federal and state programs. In addition, he is the author of the book Blowing Rock Revisited in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series.

“We look forward to Trent Margrif’s presentation on Blowing Rock,” said Stephenson Center for Appalachia Director, Michael Joslin. “Too often outsiders see all of Southern Appalachia in a single light, rather than realizing that every town has its individual history and personality.”

Stephenson Center for Appalachia lectures are free and open to the public. For information, contact Joslin at joslin@lmc.edu.