Museum of Appalachia- Northern Georgia- USA

 My trip to the Museum of Appalachia in northern Georgia was educational and enlightening. The museum adds answers to my questions about how and why individuals and families settled in this area and started their own way of living.

This experience shows a very simple way of live. It also bridges a realization that many old time traditions were developed and saved from generation to the next generation. I am focusing on a musical tradition using the dulcimer.  There is a photograph of a Alberta Brewer playing her musical instrument by a fire where the flames move with the sounds of home made songs. 

The Della McNeil's Friendship Quilt is a fine example of what women did in groups. It was a way to talk life out, raising children, food insecurity, and other daily life issues.  Keep in mind that this is a time period that many families of the previous generations had many children, 10,12,18, or more children. Some of these children moved to different areas to start their own families. The McNeils were such a family. This family moves westward with the Ohio Company during the expansion of the Northwest Territory.

This is a photo in the museum that shows a photo of the internationally known author of Roots, Mr. Alex Haley. I remember this mini series on TV in the 1970's. 

This is a photo of the Tree of Life meaning that was past down orally in the community. Usually it was a single person's home that people would go to to catch up and learn meanings of the Tree of Life.

This is a Tree of Life mural that is inside the museum.

This is a lovely photo of Alberta Brewer. Imagine if you will, family stories that have been passed down, both good and bad stories, and set it to music of her own design.

Author at the entrance of Museum of Appalachia.

America 250

America 250

America 250 is a year long event that is planned for the whole year 2026.  This year long celebration of America's history for the last 250 years will include many vantage points of individual and family history.

Cist family blog is a vantage point of history looking or added vantage points to be included. So this blog post is sharing with the readers to talk with cousins, and other family members to ask the questions that you are afraid to ask in order to possibly add your vantage point to add to America 250.

Recomendations: 

1.  Get a library card.

2.  Talk with family members. Write it down.

3.  Possible donation of historical items to museums.

4.  Make a financial donation to America 250

You matter. You count.  Get involved today. 2026 will be here soon.

Thank you readers for considering your involvement.

Andrew

 

Charles Cist letter to Mary Weiss- Philad. Aug 5, 1797

Mrs. Mary Cist

Fort Allen

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Philad. Aug 5, 1797

My Dear,

     It is with the greatest pleasure that I have received the news of your safe arrival and good state of health; I is with equal satisfaction that I can inform you of the wellfam o the whole family. making proper _____am for many health , which however not worse than common; perhaps my _____ ______ inform you that is better , as she has convented to try Dr._______ ______points wherever he has given Mr. Whitehead great relief an d which has _____ many attention______ ____ better than I expected my _____ customer all come in, and not a little work from fresh ones so that I have obliged to the a pressman. As given  sent all _____ in the price which you know! a great comfort  to me-- hope it will continue so ______behave like a little mother  to the children and Eliza deserves credit talk now for her behavior Harmony _____ in the whole family--------Now

Nothing new remains , my dear , for you, but to make you mind perfectly easy, to enjoy yourself and only mind your recovery; for as much as your presence otherwise contribute to my happenings , I would not wish you to return until you are perfectly re-stored to health___attention?  is making that eager  you return before.

Friendly acquaintances are well ---of worthiness happened to inform you of Mrs. Logley and Mr. Mapes for their love? Weiss ? later study his ? few battle token a whatever love with Mapes and ? the ? I could sect. He says I would be 5 days before I come home, otherwise I would have sent a couple of water me bus(?); but separate? would deliver  then to you, they would have been beaten to ? a the behind the new mountains

He has also Mr. Weiss, Portraits to deliver with other drawings include in a tin box. My best respect + love to Both. Mr. Weiss ? and Thomas with Mr. and Mrs. Bird. Remember me kindly to Mr.+ Mrs. Towel. 

                                                                          I embrace you affectionately and I am 

                                                                                                                     Your forever

                                                                                                                      Charles Cist

p.s.   Jacob and Lewis ? arrived from Nazareth ? talk in I must finish my letter; which I was prevented from doing before by unwanted interruption of business 

                                                                                                                    Yours  C. C.

A great deal of love from many, and all the children.  Example any ? and sending Parky Weiss; love to his dim? brother ???brother  + to you ? brothers

This Charles Cist letter shows an affectionate love between Charles and Mary Weiss. It also gives names of individuals to study further. Also, Jacob Cist was in Nazareth, PA. This is another historical research avenue to pursue. 

I welcome other historians to view this letter to assist in decoding other poorly read words due to difficult hand writing from Charles. Furthermore, what are the drawings in this tin box that he discusses in the letter. It is probably in St. Petersburg, Russia.