The Middlesboro Independent School District (MISD) hosted Appalachian Heritage Week, engaging K-8 students with an immersive celebration of Appalachian culture. The two-week event combined in-class learning with hands-on experiences.

Through the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) Promise Zone State Scale-Up initiative through Partners for Rural Impact (PRI), the students at Middlesboro Elementary School (MES) and Middlesboro Middle School (MMS) participated in a wide range of activities that brought the region’s heritage to life. The event featured renowned blacksmith Bob Montgomery, who spent six days teaching fourth and seventh graders the craft of blacksmithing. Each student worked on their own blacksmithing project—a handcrafted hook—while learning life lessons about patience, skill-building, and career readiness.

“The great thing about being a blacksmith and working for PRI is that I get to go to school every day and work with kids,” said Montgomery. “Blacksmithing is a discipline that includes art and industry, so I bring my dragons, and we talk about design and creativity and all the tools. Then, the kids come up to the forge, and we make a hook together. The forge is really a science experiment, and the students get hands-on knowledge of what happens in the fire and under the hammer.”

Kim Saylor, FSCS School Coordinator for MES (Preschool-4), praised the impact of Montgomery’s sessions saying opportunities like this one not only teach our students about their heritage, but it also opens their minds to career ideas.

“Our students were captivated by Bob’s passion for blacksmithing,” said Saylor. “He not only shared his love for the craft, but he also inspired students to chase their dreams. Many of our students expressed interest in becoming blacksmiths themselves.”

Working in Middlesboro offers a unique connection to history, as Daniel Boone, a key figure in leading settlers through Cumberland Gap, was also a farrier and blacksmith. Montgomery added that although some view blacksmithing as a vanishing trade, the enthusiasm students show during his school visits suggests the craft may be experiencing a revival.

Adding to the cultural experience, Kentucky artist and musician Carla Gover brought her expertise in traditional Appalachian music and dance. Gover taught students the art of flatfooting, shared ballads, and introduced them to the banjo. Her message about Appalachian pride and the uniqueness of the region’s culture resonated with students and staff alike.

“Our students were engaged in learning both in the classroom and through these hands-on cultural activities,” said Jenna Voges, FSCS School Coordinator for MES (Grades 5-8). “Carla’s sessions were not only educational but also encouraged the students to take pride in where they are from.”

The event concluded with a Community and Family Night at MES, where more than 200 attendees gathered to celebrate Appalachian culture. The evening featured music and dance performances by Gover and fourth graders, booths showcasing traditional crafts like crocheting, quilting, and canning, as well as local organizations such as the Bell County 4-H, Middlesboro Public Library, and Arts in the Gap. Attendees also enjoyed an Appalachian meal with soup beans, cornbread, and greens provided by the Cooperative Christian Ministry and chicken and dumplings from Pine Mountain State Park.

“This was one of our best events yet, and we hope to make it an annual tradition,” added Saylor. “The response from the community was fantastic, and we’re proud to have created such a meaningful experience for our students and their families.”