It’s an honor to receive the American Folklife Center’s 2026 Gerald E. and Corinne L. Parsons Fund Award for my research and future book project, “As I Roved Out: Jean Ritchie as Folk Musician, Folklorist, and Appalachian Advocate.” The award funds will support my research into the life and work of Kentucky folk musician, folklorist, and record label owner, Jean Ritchie, focusing specifically on her early years in New York City during the nascent folk revival, her work as a folklorist in Ireland, England and Scotland, and roles as a representative of and advocate for Appalachia and Appalachian culture.
Haptic & Hue Podcast: The Mysterious Origins of Knitting
I was delighted to be interviewed by Jo Andrews of the Haptic & Hue textile podcast about my research on the cultural history of knitting in Appalachia. Listen to the episode, The Mysterious Origins of Knitting, here.
Smithsonian Postal Museum Research Conversation: Rural Free Delivery
On May 31, 2023, I look forward to presenting a research conversation at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in D.C. on my American Folklife Center Archie Green Fellowship project "Rural Free Delivery: Mail Carriers in Central Appalachia."
This occupational folklife project documents the expressive culture and experiences of 25 rural mail carriers and clerks (formerly known as postmasters) in the upper mountain South (VA, WV, KY, OH, NC), the region which birthed the country’s first rural free delivery route in 1896. Rural Free Delivery focuses in particular on the function rural postal workers serve as important resources in their community, as well as how their place of work—rural post offices—are invaluable community hubs in remote areas. Additionally, the project explores how long-time rural carriers have witnessed changes in their work (namely increased monitoring and technological advances), community, and landscape, across their career.
DC folks are welcome to attend in person by RSVPing to Susan Smith at NPMResearchChair@si.edu and others can join via Zoom here.