Migration of the Scots-Irish People to Western North Carolina

On Monday, April 15, the speaker series Where We Live: History, Nature, and Culture will host a program on the immigration of Scots-Irish people to our area.

The program will use images and artifacts to showcase the 18th century migration of peoples from England and Ireland to North America. Many of these people eventually made their way to western North Carolina and many of their descendants are still among us today. During the presentation, we will discuss adaptations the Scots-Irish people made to the new places they found themselves in, in farming, textile production, and other activities.

The speaker will be Education Associate Peter Koch of Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center. Koch holds an M.A. in public history from North Carolina State University and is on the boards of the WNC Civil War Roundtable and of Civil War Trails. He has also had a long involvement in the North Carolina Museums Council.

The program will take place at Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center at 51 Cowee School Rd. in Franklin beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 15. The lecture series is designed to give people an opportunity to learn more about our local area, from many different angles, and to enjoy a pleasant, informative evening together. Come join us!