The Life And Work Of Mountain Life And Work: An Introductory History Of An Appalachian Publication

Mountain Life and Work was the first periodical publication devoted exclusively to the interests of the residents of the Appalachian mountain region. It was published by the Council of the Southern Mountains from 1925 to 1988 and circulated throughout Appalachia and the United States, covering a wide variety of topics. Mountain Life and Work is a major primary source for regional history and Appalachian Studies, but very little is known about it today. This thesis provides a basic history of this publication and demonstrate how the evolution of Mountain Life and Work is indicative of changing responses to Appalachia. Throughout its run, Mountain Life and Work highlighted the importance of community building and traditions while focusing on education, development, and finally activism. Mountain Life and Work can be separated into three different “eras,” each of which can be defined by distinct characteristics pertaining to the magazine’s content, creators, and subscribers. Using archival documents and theoretical approaches, this thesis explores each era of Mountain Life and Work to tell the story of how this magazine documented the development of Appalachia and became the voice of the region.