Helvetia: A Swiss Village in the Hills of West Virginia explores the unique founding and development of a community nestled within the wilderness of Appalachia. Established in 1869; this tiny Swiss settlement embodies the American immigrant experience; reflecting the steadfast desire of settlers to preserve cultural traditions and values while adapting to new and extraordinary surroundings. From ramp suppers to carnivals; traditional architecture; folk music; and cheese making; this book documents a living community by exploring the ethnic customs; farming practices; community organization; and language maintenance of Helvetia residents. Drawing upon a diverse body of resources such as Swiss and American archival documents and local oral accounts; this chronicledepicts the everyday social and economic life of this village during the past two centuries. Helvetia celebrates a small community where residents and visitors alike continue to practice a Swiss American culture that binds an international history to a local heritage.Long out of print; this reissued edition of the history of Helvetia contains a new introduction; a concise index; a bibliography; an appendix of foreign-born immigrants; and an exquisite photographic essay featuring archival images of a Swiss village still thriving within the isolated backcountry of central West Virginia.
#3150023 in Books 2007-01-01Original language:English #File Name: 1930637160133 pages
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