Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 28, 1993 TAG: 9304280087
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: STEVE KARK CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NARROWS LENGTH: Long
As in the movie "Field of Dreams," where those words inspire a farmer to transform his cornfield into a baseball diamond, volunteers hope to change this quiet Giles county community from one with an increasing number of empty storefronts into one that is again thriving and prosperous.
As one volunteer put it, "We're one of the biggest net exporters in the state."
What do they export? "Young people," he said. "Until now, there's been little to keep them here."
That could change if a series of volunteer initiatives work as planned. Narrows hopes to become a center for the appreciation of Appalachian arts and crafts in the two Virginias.
A cornerstone of that effort will be laid when the Appalachian Heritage Collection opens this weekend.
The exhibit will feature 150 photographs taken by noted Appalachian photo-historian Earl Palmer. His work has been shown throughout Southwest Virginia, and is known outside the region as well.
Most recently, a collection of Palmer's photographs were included in an exhibit at the Virginia Tech library, which also featured a display of some of the moonshining artifacts he has collected over the years.
His photos are the focus of a recent hardback book and also have been published in the New York Times, National Geographic and Life magazine, to name a few.
Last weekend, Palmer and a handful of volunteers gathered at Anna's restaurant, the temporary home of the collection, to discuss plans for Saturday's opening.
As Palmer sorted through a pile of his old photographs, he was able to recall details in some that were taken more than 40 years ago. He remembers the names of people long gone, even those who were not the central subjects of a photo.
In a photograph of a riverside baptismal scene, the preacher stands waist-deep in water surrounded by those awaiting their turn. Palmer points and identifies several by name. In another, a man carrying a barrel for storing moonshine is recognized as Ray Caldwell, "one of the most famous moonshiners there ever was."
In one memorable photograph, a steam train sits idly by as a group of men from the train load hay into a horse-drawn wagon. "I was along for the ride," said Palmer, "when the engineer said, `Let's stop the train and help that feller pitch his hay.' "
Palmer's interest in photography has spanned 80 years. He says he took his first pictures on a simple box camera when he was 7. Fascination grew, as has the value of his cameras. His most recent camera cost $7,000, he said.
His life is no less remarkable than his photographs. He spent his earliest years in Harlan county, Ky., and some of his youth mining coal.
He came close to losing his life in a coal-mining accident when he was in his teens. As if it had happened yesterday, he recalls how a carload of heavy rails jackknifed underground, killing his partner and barely missing him.
With no less enthusiasm, he recalls the time he was arrested by the "likker agents": "I was working in an A&P then, and they got me for selling 30 bags of sugar to moonshiners. I was put on probation for that one."
Recognizing the value of Palmer's rich, anecdotal history and his obvious storytelling abilities, the museum will tape his descriptions of his photographs. That will give them a "double treasure," they say.
Curtis Downey, the new director of arts and development for the community, says he is glad to have Palmer's photographs in the collection and is excited by the changes planned for the town.
He says the town hopes to develop tourist attractions that will appeal to visitors interested in Appalachian culture in all its variety.
For instance, after the museum finds a permanent home, it will display Appalachian artifacts and crafts, including handmade items such as furniture, woodcrafts and baskets.
Narrows also plans concerts and dances featuring traditional mountain music.
But make no mistake, he warns; they are not trying to turn the town into just another tourist trap. "We want only the real thing," he said. "You won't find the kind of stuff that says `Made in Taiwan' on it here."
The community's development plans have the feel of a real family affair. The town's mayor, Don Richardson, and his brother, Harold, spent Saturday hanging sheetrock at the new museum. They and others like them have donated hundreds of hours. Painting and carpeting the museum will continue through the week to prepare for the opening.
Downey, who has worked as a TV producer-director in Roanoke for 38 years, is returning to Narrows, where he went to high school, to direct the development effort.
"We remember him," joked the mayor. "We used to throw rocks at him when we were kids."
The opening of the Appalachian Heritage Collection will highlight this weekend's inauguration of the town's new "First Saturday" program.
In addition to the exhibit, which opens at 11 a.m. in the annex to Anna's restaurant, there will be "Old Picture Days for Narrows, Giles County and the Region" at the old high school building, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. People are invited to bring old photos to share with the community.
by CNB