Camp History Symposium

THE CASHIERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
JAN WYATT SYMPOSIUM

WHAT IS THE JAN WYATT SYMPOSIUM?

In 2005, Cashiers Historical Society presented the first Jan Wyatt Symposium. In the years since, the Historical Society has continued its mission to preserve the history of Cashiers Valley through education by sponsoring an annual symposium. The featured topics ranged from historical figures to geological issues to cultural aspects of the region. Previous symposia highlighted traditional mountain music, heirloom gardens, and the history of tourism in the Cashiers Valley area.

​The 2025 Jan Wyatt Symposium was held at Chimney Pond Farm. The day-long event continued the Cashiers Historical Society tradition with presentations on the history of summer camps in western North Carolina.

WHAT IS CAMPFIRES & THE EMBERS OF YOUTH ABOUT?

Each year, thousands of young people trek to western North Carolina to partake in an American tradition: attending summer camp. Summer camps have shaped the history and culture of western North Carolina since they first opened in the early 20th century. Despite its rich history, this topic is under-researched. The 2025 Jan Wyatt Symposium corrects that gap in the historical narrative. This day-long exploration into the history of summer camps in the region discussed how western North Carolina became the hub of the American camping movement in the Southeast.