"Seeing Spruce Pine's Past Through a Brand New Lens" - a Cover Story Feature in WNC Magazine Photographed by Revival Photography
After months of keeping this top secret, we are so excited to share that our work has been featured in (and on the cover of) the September/October Issue of WNC magazine!
“Hugging the banks of the North Toe River, surrounded by blue-tinged mountains, the rural Mitchell County town of Spruce Pine holds a rich history, one with tales of trains and commerce, a hoard of minerals, and a nationally recognized theater. After falling in love with the community and learning of its heritage, Boone-based events planner Elizabeth Hempfling decided to pay homage. “I wanted to do something that portrayed love, but wanted it to be unique and to mean something,” she says. Hempfling staged a photo project that offers period recreations of Spruce Pine’s past, from the early 1900s to the 1950s, as well as snapshots of the thriving community today. In all, some 30 local residents pooled resources and time to stage, style, and snap pictures over four days. The result is a nostalgic portrayal of the town’s story, told with passion and reverence.”
From the moment Elizabeth, of Events by Elizabeth Ashley shared her vision for this project, and love for the town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina with us, we knew this project would be something very, very special. She truly worked a miracle to make things happen for this shoot. I'm talking intense research, bringing people together, juggling a million things last minute, and pulling it all together. She even connected with the railroad company to bring out a railroad official who came to the shoot with us, and he literally stopped traffic for the time we needed to do a few photos on the tracks to make sure everyone was safe.
(In case you didn't know, it's highly dangerous and highly illegal to do photos on railroad tracks, and this was the only way we were able to do this very important portion of the shoot, highlighting the history of the railroad coming to Spruce Pine in the 1900s. So don't do photos on the railroad tracks, folks, unless you have permission from the railroad and an official with you to radio the station to hold traffic!)
We teamed up with a group of incredibly talented creatives (Events by Elizabeth Ashley, Snow in July Designs, Root and Vine, Miss Match Rentals, and Marley Turbyfill. The ASU Drama and Costume Department, all of the models and actors, and members of the community who helped us make this shoot amazing).
For the shoot we used a mix of digital and film photography, mixing it up for that authentic vintage feel.
1900s - Clinchfield Rail Road Comes to Spruce Pine
Highlighting transportation in the early 1900’s and reaching Spruce Pine by rail. The area was changed overnight through the addition of the Clinchfield Railroad.
“Chartered in 1913, Spruce Pine was built around the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railroad Depot. When construction began on the railroad shortly after 1900, only one house stood where downtown Spruce Pine is today. The town was literally built between a river and a mountainside. Spruce Pine soon became the commercial center of the Toe River Valley. Between 1918 and 1928 its population quadrupled.”
Special thanks to the ASU Costume Department, Andi of Miss Match Rentals for providing props, Leigh Ann Pozell of Snow in July Designs for designing these incredible paper props for the shoot, CSX for assisting with access to the rail line, Leigh Ann, Joe Pozell, and Max Probst for getting up at the crack of dawn to model for us, and of course directing by Elizabeth and Marley (P.S. Thanks for the coffee too, Marley!)
1920s - The Mining Industry in Spruce Pine / Emerald Village Mines
“One of the first industries in Spruce Pine was the Harris Clay & Mining Company. Employees of Harris Clay got paid in scrip and used it to purchase goods in company stores. Today, mining has proven to be the town’s economic mainstay. You’d be hard pressed to find a geologist that has not heard of Spruce Pine.”
Special thanks to the ASU Costume Department, Andi of Miss Match Rentals for providing props, Leigh Ann Pozell of Snow in July Designs for designing these incredible paper props for the shoot, Emerald Village for allowing us to use authentic mining pieces for the shoot and telling us more of the story behind picnics at the mines back in the day, Aaron and Grace Buchanan and their sweet family of Fox and the Fig for modeling for us, and of course design and direction by Elizabeth and Marley.
1940's - The Carolina Theater in Downtown Spruce Pine
Featuring Patsy Cline, who performed on this very stage back in the day.
“This theatre was home of live entertainment, the Carolina Barn Dance, and “silver screen” films in the 1940’s and 1950’s in Spruce Pine, NC. Performers such as Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, Hank Snow, Sonny James, Kitty Wells, Chet Atkins, String Bean, Scotty and Lula Belle Wiseman, and Fiddlin’ Red Wilson performed here.”
Special thanks to the ASU Costume Department, Andi of Miss Match Rentals for providing props, Leigh Ann Pozell of Snow in July Designs for designing these incredible paper props for the shoot, Peter Franklin of Foxfire Reality to allow us access to the location, Maureen Renihan modeling for us (and singing for us too!) also Miles for modeling for us, and of course design and direction by Elizabeth and Marley.
1950's - City Drive-In and the Hoppin' Downtown Spruce Pine
Special thanks to the ASU Costume Department, Andi of Miss Match Rentals for providing props, Leigh Ann Pozell of Snow in July Designs for designing these incredible paper props for the shoot, City Drive-In for the burger and fries, the local antique store for providing the vintage milkshake glasses, Kimmy Florintino, Natasha Braswell, and Marley Turbyfill for modeling for us, the locals who brought their vintage cars to the drive in for the shoot, and of course design and direction by Elizabeth, Kristi Turbyfill of Root and Vine and Marley.
Tea Party at Smithmore Castle in Spruce Pine
“At an elevation of 3,688 ft., the ‘Castle in the Sky’ offers one of the most amazing views in North Carolina with a spectacular 270 degree view of Mount Mitchell, the Toe River Valley, the Continental Divide and multiple layers of mountain ranges.”
Special thanks to the ASU Costume Department, Andi of Miss Match Rentals for providing props, Leigh Ann Pozell of Snow in July Designs for designing these incredible paper props for the shoot, Smithmore Castle for the epic location, Marley Turbyfill for modeling for us, and of course design by Kristi Turbyfill of Root and Vine, Leigh Ann of Snow in July Designs, Elizabeth Hempfling, and Marley Turbyfill.
Modern Day - Dinner Party at Knife and Fork, Spoon Bar, coffee at The Fox and the Fig
Highlighting must-see restaurants in the Spruce Pine area, Knife and Fork (and Spoon), and also The Fox and the Fig.
“In the mountains just off the blue ridge parkway, facing the north toe river and a pair of railroad tracks, sits our small and simply appointed restaurant. The hills around us are home to a great many talented farmers, craftsmen and artists of all kinds. Creativity, hard work and community abound in this small town. We are grateful and lucky to be here.”
“Aaron grew up in Spruce Pine and Grace was raised mostly in Winston-Salem area. When we started a family we knew we wanted to plant roots somewhere, be surrounded by good people, teach our kids how to grow their own food and how to love their neighbors. We believe that a great community is where you invest and what you make it, we decided to set up camp back here in Spruce Pine, NC! We feel really strongly about putting good food (and drink!) into your body, supporting small farmers, and taking care of the environment so we have created a space that will advocate for all of these things.”
Special thanks to Kristi Turbyfill of Root and Vine for working her floral design magic, Leigh Ann Pozell of Snow in July Designs for designing these incredible paper props for the shoot, Nathan Allen and Eric Mitchell of Knife and Fork, Spoon, and The Buchanan family of Fox and the Fig, Eryn Turbyfill for modeling for us, and of course Elizabeth Hempfling of Events by Elizabeth Ashley for coordinating this beautiful grand finale gathering of those who worked on the project!
Here are a few fun behind the scenes moments from our shoot...
We had an an epic 4 day shoot and made so many new friends and great memories. What an honor and pleasure it has been to be a part of this project... to play a small part in reviving, and telling the story of a historic community who has so many treasures to be found.
Be sure to pick one up, these magazines are on news stands now, and also check out this link if you'd like to see the full 10 page article online!