Exploring “Nostalgia for the Future”: A History of the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia

Since 1973, the Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College (commonly known as Augusta) has coordinated traditional arts workshops; organized festivals, concerts, dances, and lectures; produced documentary films, audio recordings, and books; sponsored community projects; and accumulated an extensive archive of folk culture. This research establishes a narrative of Augusta’s history, beginning with the founding of its first craft workshops in the 1970s through the development of the diverse music programs that Augusta is known for today. Tracing Augusta’s connections to social movements—including traditional music and craft revivals and the 1970s back-to-the-land movement—situates the Center in a historical context. Another focus of this research is to investigate the reasons for the Augusta Heritage Center’s longevity over the past forty years and its impact on participants. Through archival research and interviews, this study investigates the importance of experiential learning and the role of tradition in modern life. This research evaluates Augusta’s past and present to make recommendations for the future.