Virtual Tour of the Museum Exhibit
Sound the bell and gather ’round. Step inside the original award-winning museum exhibition of Campfires & the Embers of Youth, where artifacts, photographs, and voices first came together at the Cashiers Historical Society.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND ON THIS PAGE:
PHOTO GALLERY + VIDEO WALKTHROUGH + TESTIMONIALS + EXHBIT CATALOG
TAKE A TOUR THROUGH THE EXHIBIT!
Exhibition “Campfires & The Embers of Youth” at Cashiers Historical Society (Cashiers, NC) was open from June to October 2025. The exhibit was displayed in the oldest standing residential structure in Jackson County, NC, c. 1830s.
MEGAPHONE MOMENT!
WHAT VISITORS HAD TO SAY…
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“The exhibit masterfully illustrates how Western North Carolina served as a cornerstone of the American camping movement, shaping the social and economic fabric of our community for over a century.”
– Tom Rosenberg, Former President/CEO of the American Camp Association-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“What a fantastic job...of capturing the spirit and essence of the soul (good and critical aspects) of camp life in Western North Carolina...The artistic display, the variety of artifacts, the opportunity for engagement, the invitation to reflect...it just has everything!”
– Dr. Gwynn Powell, Retired Professor of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management,
Former American Camp Association Accreditation Visitor-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“The exhibit is a beautifully crafted journey through the heart of Southern camps. It not only showcases the rich tapestry of their missions and stories but also honors the courageous spirit of those who championed racial equality in perilous times. This exhibit inspired me, reminding me of the profound impact these camps have had on our communities. I left inspired.”
- Dan Davis, 2025 Jan Wyatt Symposium Closing Keynote Speaker-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“The folks at the Cashier Historical Society took special care to greet our oldest camper groups and provide them with a personalized experience. Their trip to see the exhibit was a recurring highlight of their camp experience. Throughout the summer, I heard these campers voicing a wider appreciation for what it means to be a camper in Western North Carolina...This exhibit allowed them to broaden their understanding of the camp experience to a local and countrywide movement that's taken place over the past hundred years. I would recommend that every camp program coordinator make the time to send their oldest campers or youngest Counselors in Training to an opportunity like this one. And I think everyone, former camper or not, would be well served to learn about this important industry and its impact on our hills and hollers here in Western North Carolina.”
- Ezekiel Cochrane, Associate Director, Gwynn Valley Camp-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“It clearly took hard work and, as an aspiring historian, really inspired me.”
– Sonia Messick, Student visitor to the museum-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Audiences are encouraged to engage with an important, but relatively unknown history that has long shaped western North Carolina.”
– Jessie Swigger, Director of Public History, Western Carolina University-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Much effort and research obviously went into the exhibit, and it brought back a flood of wonderful memories from long ago.“
– John Holman, visitor to the musuem-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Well done Cashier Historical Society! Your team was able to take an industry that connects so many to the WNC region and spark deep introspection and inspiration..."
– Dr. Gwynn Powell, Retired Professor of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management,
Former American Camp Association Accreditation Visitor-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“The exhibit is amazing. From the videos to the collections of memorabilia, it is so cleverly presented. A masterpiece...Took me right back to days at Kanuga and High Rocks. Could almost smell my cabin!”
– Bette Hines, visitor to the exhibiT-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“A dedication to blending rigorous research with dynamic, visual storytelling has set a new standard for small museum excellence.”
– Tom Rosenberg, Former President/CEO of the American Camp Association-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Once inside the Cabin, visitors are immersed in the material culture of summer camp in the region. A wooden canoe hangs from the ceiling, uniforms from local camps are displayed behind glass and on mannequins, a mock campfire surrounded by wooden benches, and sheet music with lyrics from popular camp songs are just a few examples of how the exhibit immerses the visitor in the summer camp experience using artifacts.”
– Jessie Swigger, Director of Public History, Western Carolina University-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“The expansive exhibit drew people from North Carolina and beyond. It excited grandmothers, mothers, and campers of today.”
- Teed Poe, Former Director of Rockbrook Camp-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Fascinating! From old uniforms to new color photos and from old maps to new videos, this exhibit will draw you in and keep your wheels spinning. The curators have chosen such gems and displayed displayed them so thoughtfully that you'll be transported back in time. You'll learn not only about the history of summer camps in North Carolina, but also about some uncomfortably outdated structures and practices. Whether camp was part of your growing up or not, a single trip through this exhibit will teach you more meaningful history than you ever learned in a semester-long class.”
– Dr. Chris Thurber, Psychologist, Author, Educator-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Our region is unique with rich summer camp history. While many know the history of a particular camp, the “Campfires & the Embers of Youth" exhibit is intriguing because it highlights the connections between the camps. The overlap in the songs, the tales, and the traditions is fascinating and fun for anyone who has attended a camp (or even is just curious about them)! Cashiers Historical Society took great care in their research, learning about all of the factors that have impacted camps over the decades. It is such a pleasure to learn more about this vital part of North Carolina’s heritage and how it has impacted thousands, perhaps millions, of people over the past century.”
– Sarah Carter, Director of Rockbrook Camp-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Did you visit the Museum Exhibit?
We’d love to hear about it!
Click here to share your experience or send an email to info@cashiershistoricalsociety.org
Exhibit
Catalog
Keep a piece of “Campfires & the Embers of Youth” by downloading the exhibit catalog!
Featuring beautiful museum images, historic photographs, a statement from the Curator, Lindsay Garner Hostetler, and exhibit highlights.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
Come see us in person! Visit the Cashiers Historical Society website to discover additional exhibitions, events, lectures, and opportunities to engage with local history.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER PAGES:
YOUR STORY + ACKNOWLEDGMENTS + ARCHIVAL IMAGES + Bibliography + CAMP SYMPOSIUM + EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS