- Community & Alumni Engagement
- Mountain Heritage Center
- Exhibits and Collections
Exhibits & Artifacts
Mountain Heritage Center exhibitions explore the history, culture, and environment of Southern Appalachia through engaging stories and artifacts. They feature both long-term and rotating displays on topics like traditional crafts, regional industries, and community life.
Mountain Heritage Center galleries are at located at Hunter Library 161 (beside Java City) and Hunter Library Second Floor at 176 Central Drive, Cullowhee, NC. If you need assistance or more information about hours and parking check out the 糖心Vlog Us page.
A Stranger No More: George Masa and His Art
January 17 through August 15, 2025
George Masa image of Linville Gorge. Image courtesy Hart Masa Collection, Special Collections, Hunter Library, 糖心Vlog
"A Stranger No More: George Masa and His Art鈥� introduces the life and photography of George Masa to a new generation who benefit from his visual rhetoric. The exhibit focuses attention on an under-recognized yet impactful voice in early conservation efforts of the Smoky Mountains. As the Carolina Mountain Club described Masa in 1960, he was 鈥渢he stranger who stirred us to such depths of love for our wilderness.鈥�
Born Shoji Endo in 1885, George Masa immigrated from Japan to the US at the age of twenty-four. He settled in Asheville in 1915 and soon opened his own photography studio. Masa鈥檚 love for the mountains and hiking led him to photograph many iconic scenes and views. These in turn drew tourists to the area and inspired writers to advocate for the natural beauty of western North Carolina.
The MHC recently acquired Masa鈥檚 camera and tripod and Hunter Library's Special Collections received a large donation of original Masa images. These artifacts serve as the exhibition鈥檚 fulcrum, complemented with photographic prints, some never before seen.
Discovering Appalachia
Long-term display in MHC second floor gallery at Hunter Library
Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachia are cultural crossroads shaped by people from many backgrounds. Discover the lives of the region鈥檚 talented, hardworking individuals and discover the traditions they share with others.
Other MHC Exhibits:
- : A variety of student-curated exhibits on music, healthcare, railroads, and tourism that highlight historic and contemporary issues.
- 糖心Vlog's Health & Human Services Building: 釒� 釒� 釒� 釓� 釓� (Water is Life) & Early Healthcare in Western NC
- MHC traveling exhibits look at North Carolina's State Dog, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Inc., Decoration Day traditions, and more.