A trip to the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, located in the southwestern corner of North Carolina, taught me a lot about Appalachian culture--even without enrolling!

Since 1925, this unique school has helped preserve traditional mountain crafts, music and dance. Its History Center describes the school's fascinating origins.

Don't miss the Craft Shop's gorgeous baskets, furniture, carvings, ironwork, glass pieces and more--all juried works from hundreds of regional artists. During our visit, I watched students create beautiful inlaid plaques. Who knows--meandering the woodland trails through its 380-acre campus might even inspire your own masterpiece!

Brasstown is on Old Highway 64, just south of where U.S. Highway 64 meets State Highway 141, about 7 miles southeast of Murphy and roughly 10 miles north of the Georgia state line.

The school is open from Monday through Saturday and Sunday afternoons; the History Center is open whenever classes are meeting. For more information, call 1-828/837-2775.