Gift from the Hills: Miss Lucy Morgan's Story of Her Unique Penland School

by Lucy Morgan

Miss Lucy went to the North Carolina mountains in 1920 as an apprentice teacher, but she soon discovered that the kind of teaching that she wanted to do was not in the fields in which she was trained. What interested her most was already there among the mountain people — the ancient arts of hand-weaving and vegetable dyeing. Her campaign to revive interest in these native crafts has resulted in the internationally respected Penland School of Handicrafts.

Originally published in 1971.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

330 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…today, when our world is in such turmoil, when our scientific achievements have so outstripped our spiritual growth, what is more needed than…creative thinking and creative activity…? This is indeed a beautiful world, and if the peoples of the world could realize the joy of working…together, then surely wars would cease…” Lucy Morgan, 1971

Bless Lucy Morgan and the legacy she left. Penland School is still alive and well in 2026.