The Tennessee State Parks Folklife Project Collection is a digital collection that showcases the life and work of various folk artists from Tennessee, ranging from musicians to craftsmen. One notable artist featured in the collection is Willard Walton, a woodcarver and performer from Macon County.
Walton’s contribution to the collection is a creature carved from sassafras wood, possibly a monkey, which he crafted from tree stumps and roots using his woodworking and whittling skills. Walton’s inspiration comes from his family history, his natural surroundings, his life experiences, and his military service in India, which all influence his multi-medium folk art.
Walton’s woodcraft gained national recognition, and advertisements for his walking sticks appeared in New York Magazine as early as the 1970s. The Tennessee State Parks Folklife Project began in 1979 under the direction of Park Ranger Bobby Fulcher and continued until 1983, during which time they documented and celebrated the unique folk traditions of Tennessee.
The Tennessee State Parks Folklife Project Collection contains thousands of photographs, audio recordings, and documents that offer insight into the lives of folk artists like Willard Walton. The collection is housed at the Tennessee State Library and Archives and can be accessed online by anyone interested in learning more about Tennessee’s rich cultural heritage.
Posted by Tennessee State Library and Archives on 2015-04-13 20:33:17