STECOAH VALLEY CENTER WORKS TO PRESERVE APPALACHIAN TRADITIONS Robert Rankin, Robbinsville, NC

Introduction Robert Rankin has owned Robbinsville, NC’s Snowbird

Mountain Lodge for nearly two decades. As a Robbinsville local, Robert Rankin is also a supporter of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, an organization working to preserve the Appalachian heritage of western NC.

The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center (SVCAC) offers extensive programming opportunities to help people understand the traditional Appalachian mountain way of life of historical North Carolina. All of SVCAC’s programs are community-oriented learning experiences. One example is the Appalachian Musicians Program.

Stecoah Valley Center The Appalachian Musicians Program is an after-

school opportunity for students in grades 4 through 12 in Graham County. Using traditional Appalachian instruments, program instructors lead students in learning about the music of their heritage. Students in the program regularly perform in surrounding communities, at local festivals, and an annual SVCAC open house recital. The students who participate in SVCAC programming are gaining a chance to reclaim and assist in preserving their ancestors’ way of life.