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["Helvetia, West Virginia, population 59, is a Swiss community nestled in a high mountain valley along the Buckhannon River in Randolph County. In the 150-plus years since its founding, the Swiss traditions practiced by Helvetians have evolved in various ways. Helvetia began hosting its annual ramp supper sometime between 1946-1948 (Helvetia native Ernest Hofer who has been working at the supper for at least 40 years, wasnt sure of the exact date). The event is a fundraiser, benefiting the Helvetia Community Hall Association and the Farm Womens Club. For weeks prior, volunteers, including local 4-H kids, work to wash and freeze 60 bushels of ramps, some of which are dug and donated by locals, and the rest are bought from a digger. On the Friday before the event, male volunteers gather outside to cook 400 lbs. of potatoes in iron kettles over a wood fire, while drinking homemade wine. Women volunteers work in the kitchen, cutting 300 lbs. of ham, making cornbread, cooking Navy beans, and defrosting ramps. The Helvetia Ramp Supper is always held the last Saturday in April and draws visitors from across the state and region. The dinner includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, coleslaw, drink, and dessert, which guests eat at long tables in the basement of the Helvetia Community Hall. After dinner, a square dance is held upstairs. The documentation of the Helvetia Ramp Supper is part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/Also see Emily Hilliards piece on Helvetias seasonal celebrations, including the Ramp Supper, via The Bitter Southerner: https://bittersoutherner.com/my-year-in-helvetia-west-virginia and read her piece on the Ramp Supper via the West Virginia Folklife blog: https://wvfolklife.org/2016/05/27/rampfingerprints/For more information, visit: http://www.helvetiawv.com/Events/Helvetia_Ramps/Helvetia_Ramps.htm"]%

1525. Place setting for the Helvetia Ramp Supper in the Helvetia Community Hall

Identifier:
4224.HelvetiaRampSupper.Photo.033.4.28.16
Title:
Place setting for the Helvetia Ramp Supper in the Helvetia Community Hall
Date:
2016-04-28
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Wild leek, Festivals, Helvetia (W. Va.), Food habits, foodways
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["The Swiss community of Helvetia, West Virginia began hosting its annual ramp supper sometime between 1946-1948 (Helvetia native Ernest Hofer who has been working at the supper for at least 40 years, wasnt sure of the exact date). The event is a fundraiser, benefiting the Helvetia Community Hall Association and the Farm Womens Club. For weeks prior, volunteers, including local 4-H kids, work to wash and freeze 60 bushels of ramps, some of which are dug and donated by locals, and the rest are bought from a digger. On the Friday before the event, male volunteers gather outside to cook 400 lbs. of potatoes in iron kettles over a wood fire, while drinking homemade wine. Women volunteers work in the kitchen, cutting 300 lbs. of ham, making cornbread, cooking Navy beans, and defrosting ramps. The Helvetia Ramp Supper is always held the last Saturday in April and draws visitors from across the state and region. The dinner includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, coleslaw, drink, and dessert, which guests eat at long tables in the basement of the Helvetia Community Hall. After dinner, a square dance is held upstairs. The documentation of the Helvetia Ramp Supper is part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/Also see Emily Hilliards piece on Helvetias seasonal celebrations, including the Ramp Supper, via The Bitter Southerner: https://bittersoutherner.com/my-year-in-helvetia-west-virginia and read her piece on the Ramp Supper via the West Virginia Folklife blog: https://wvfolklife.org/2016/05/27/rampfingerprints/For more information, visit: http://www.helvetiawv.com/Events/Helvetia_Ramps/Helvetia_Ramps.htm"]%

1526. Helvetia Ramp Supper place setting with fresh ramps, applesauce, and vinegar

Identifier:
4224.HelvetiaRampSupper.Photo.034.4.28.16
Title:
Helvetia Ramp Supper place setting with fresh ramps, applesauce, and vinegar
Date:
2016-04-28
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
foodways, Wild leek, Festivals, Helvetia (W. Va.), Food habits
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.), Randolph County (W. Va.)
["The Swiss community of Helvetia, West Virginia began hosting its annual ramp supper sometime between 1946-1948 (Helvetia native Ernest Hofer who has been working at the supper for at least 40 years, wasnt sure of the exact date). The event is a fundraiser, benefiting the Helvetia Community Hall Association and the Farm Womens Club. For weeks prior, volunteers, including local 4-H kids, work to wash and freeze 60 bushels of ramps, some of which are dug and donated by locals, and the rest are bought from a digger. On the Friday before the event, male volunteers gather outside to cook 400 lbs. of potatoes in iron kettles over a wood fire, while drinking homemade wine. Women volunteers work in the kitchen, cutting 300 lbs. of ham, making cornbread, cooking Navy beans, and defrosting ramps. The Helvetia Ramp Supper is always held the last Saturday in April and draws visitors from across the state and region. The dinner includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, coleslaw, drink, and dessert, which guests eat at long tables in the basement of the Helvetia Community Hall. After dinner, a square dance is held upstairs. The documentation of the Helvetia Ramp Supper is part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/Also see Emily Hilliards piece on Helvetias seasonal celebrations, including the Ramp Supper, via The Bitter Southerner: https://bittersoutherner.com/my-year-in-helvetia-west-virginia and read her piece on the Ramp Supper via the West Virginia Folklife blog: https://wvfolklife.org/2016/05/27/rampfingerprints/For more information, visit: http://www.helvetiawv.com/Events/Helvetia_Ramps/Helvetia_Ramps.htm"]%

1527. Homemade desserts for the Helvetia Ramp Supper, 1 of 2

Identifier:
4224.HelvetiaRampSupper.Photo.035.4.28.16
Title:
Homemade desserts for the Helvetia Ramp Supper, 1 of 2
Date:
2016-04-28
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Wild leek, Cake, foodways, Helvetia (W. Va.), Festivals, Bakers, Food habits
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["The Swiss community of Helvetia, West Virginia began hosting its annual ramp supper sometime between 1946-1948 (Helvetia native Ernest Hofer who has been working at the supper for at least 40 years, wasnt sure of the exact date). The event is a fundraiser, benefiting the Helvetia Community Hall Association and the Farm Womens Club. For weeks prior, volunteers, including local 4-H kids, work to wash and freeze 60 bushels of ramps, some of which are dug and donated by locals, and the rest are bought from a digger. On the Friday before the event, male volunteers gather outside to cook 400 lbs. of potatoes in iron kettles over a wood fire, while drinking homemade wine. Women volunteers work in the kitchen, cutting 300 lbs. of ham, making cornbread, cooking Navy beans, and defrosting ramps. The Helvetia Ramp Supper is always held the last Saturday in April and draws visitors from across the state and region. The dinner includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, coleslaw, drink, and dessert, which guests eat at long tables in the basement of the Helvetia Community Hall. After dinner, a square dance is held upstairs. The documentation of the Helvetia Ramp Supper is part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/Also see Emily Hilliards piece on Helvetias seasonal celebrations, including the Ramp Supper, via The Bitter Southerner: https://bittersoutherner.com/my-year-in-helvetia-west-virginia and read her piece on the Ramp Supper via the West Virginia Folklife blog: https://wvfolklife.org/2016/05/27/rampfingerprints/For more information, visit: http://www.helvetiawv.com/Events/Helvetia_Ramps/Helvetia_Ramps.htm"]%

1528. Homemade desserts for the Helvetia Ramp Supper, 2 of 2

Identifier:
4224.HelvetiaRampSupper.Photo.036.4.28.16
Title:
Homemade desserts for the Helvetia Ramp Supper, 2 of 2
Date:
2016-04-28
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Helvetia (W. Va.), Cake, Food habits, Festivals, Wild leek, Bakers, foodways
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["WYPR producers Aaron Henkin and Wendel Patrick worked with West Virginia state folklorist Emily Hilliard to produce two episodes of the Out of the Blocks on Charlestons West Side. Learn more: https://wvfolklife.org/2020/01/17/out-of-the-blocks-podcast-highlights-charlestons-west-side-west-virginia-folklife-hosts-listening-party-february-12/"]%

1529. Out of the Blocks podcast producers Aaron Henkin & Wendel Patrick and state folklorist Emily Hilliard

Identifier:
4224.HenkinAaronHilliardEmilyPatrickWendel.Photo.11.22.19
Title:
Out of the Blocks podcast producers Aaron Henkin & Wendel Patrick and state folklorist Emily Hilliard
Date:
2019-11-22
Creator:
Patrick, Wendel
Subject:
Radio programs, Charleston (W. Va.)
Location:
Charleston (W. Va.)

Listen to Audio

1530. Oral history of Kristy Henson

Identifier:
4224.HensonKristy.AudioInt.3.25.20
Title:
Oral history of Kristy Henson
Date:
2020-03-25
Creator:
Henson, Kristy
Contributor:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Video games--Design, Apocalyptic art, Video games, Video gamers, Helvetia (W. Va.), Parades, Festivals, Carnival masks, Carnival, Tourism and the arts, West Virginia--Fiction
Location:
Buckhannon (W. Va.), Charleston (W. Va.)
["Kristy Henson is an assistant professor of forensic science at Fairmont State University and a Fallout 76 gamer. She is originally from southern Ohio, but has lived in Buckhannon, WV for 5 years. She attended Helvetias Fasnacht celebration in 2019 based on her experience in the game, and made a papier-mch owl mask inspired by one of the Fasnacht masks in Fallout 76. In this interview, she speaks about how playing the game has informed her understanding of West Virginia culture and geography. This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted with Fallout 76 gamers, some of whom are from West Virginia, and some of whom were inspired to visit West Virginia because of the game."]%

1531. Transcript of oral history of Kristy Henson

Identifier:
4224.HensonKristy.IntTranscript.3.25.20
Title:
Transcript of oral history of Kristy Henson
Date:
2020-03-25
Creator:
Henson, Kristy
Contributor:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Tourism and the arts, Carnival, Winter festivals, Video games--Design, Video gamers, Video games, Carnival masks, West Virginia--Fiction, Apocalyptic art, Helvetia (W. Va.)
Location:
Charleston (W. Va.), Buckhannon (W. Va.)
["Joe Herrman (master artist, b. 1949) of Paw Paw in Hampshire County and Dakota Karper (apprentice, b. 1992) of Capon Bridge are participants in the 2020-2021 West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program, studying old-time fiddle. Herrmann is a founding member of the Critton Hollow String Band and has taught old-time fiddle to many private students and at the Augusta Heritage Center. Herrmann and Karper apprenticed together previously in 2004 (when Karper was 11) through Augusta Heritage Centers former Apprenticeship Program.See the West Virginia Folklife Program feature on Herrmann and Karper: https://wvfolklife.org/2020/12/03/2020-folklife-apprenticeship-feature-joe-herrmann-dakota-karper-old-time-fiddle/"]%

1532. Artist profile of Joe Herrmann

Identifier:
4224.HerrmannJoe.ArtistProfile.3.6.20
Title:
Artist profile of Joe Herrmann
Date:
2020-03-06
Creator:
Herrmann, Joe
Subject:
Folk music--West Virginia, Apprenticeship programs, Old-time music, Fiddling, Banjo, Fiddle tunes
Location:
Hampshire County (W. Va.)
["Sam & Joe HerrmannJoe Herrmann (b.1949) and Sam Herrmann (b. 1949), both Maryland natives, are traditional musicians who play together as part of Critton Hollow String Band. They have been a couple since the mid-1970s when they moved to Hampshire County, West Virginia. Joe is a fiddle and banjo player, and Sam is a guitar and hammer dulcimer player. Sam is also a knitter, hand yarn spinner, and owns the knitting kit company Samspun. They live on a piece of land in Paw Paw, WV where they keep sheep.Interviewers note:Interview with Sam and Joe Herrmann of Critton Hollow String Band on the back porch of their home in Critton Hollow, Paw Paw, West Virginia. Sam was knitting a childs sweater during the interview."]%

1533. Transcript of oral history of Joe and Sam Herrmann

Identifier:
4224.HerrmannJoeHerrmann.IntTranscript.7.19.16
Title:
Transcript of oral history of Joe and Sam Herrmann
Date:
2016-07-19
Creator:
Herrmann, Sam, Herrmann, Joe
Contributor:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Fiddle tunes, Knitters (Persons), Sheep farming, Dulcimer, Banjo, Critton Hollow Stringband, Old-time music, Fiddling, Appalachian dulcimer and autoharp music, Rizzetta, Sam, Folk music--West Virginia
Location:
Hampshire County (W. Va.)

Listen to Audio

1534. Oral history of Joe and Sam Herrmann

Identifier:
4224.HerrmannJoeHerrmannSam.AudioInt.7.19.16
Title:
Oral history of Joe and Sam Herrmann
Date:
2016-07-19
Creator:
Herrmann, Joe, Herrmann, Sam
Contributor:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Banjo, Appalachian dulcimer and autoharp music, Knitters (Persons), Old-time music, Folk music--West Virginia, Dulcimer, Sheep farming, Fiddling, Fiddle tunes, Critton Hollow Stringband, Rizzetta, Sam
Location:
Hampshire County (W. Va.)

Listen to Audio

1535. Joe and Sam Herrmann play "Old Rip" by Lynn Morris and "The Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia" on banjo and guitar

Identifier:
4224.HerrmannJoeHerrmannSam.Music.7.19.16
Title:
Joe and Sam Herrmann play "Old Rip" by Lynn Morris and "The Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia" on banjo and guitar
Date:
2016-07-19
Creator:
Herrmann, Sam, Herrmann, Joe
Contributor:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Old-time music, Critton Hollow Stringband, Folk music--West Virginia, Banjo
Location:
Hampshire County (W. Va.)
["Sam & Joe HerrmannJoe Herrmann (b.1949) and Sam Herrmann (b. 1949), both Maryland natives, are traditional musicians who play together as part of Critton Hollow String Band. They have been a couple since the mid-1970s when they moved to Hampshire County, West Virginia. Joe is a fiddle and banjo player, and Sam is a guitar and hammer dulcimer player. Sam is also a knitter, hand yarn spinner, and owns the knitting kit company Samspun. They live on a piece of land in Paw Paw, WV where they keep sheep."]%

1536. Joe and Sam Herrmann play music on their back porch

Identifier:
4224.HerrmannJoeHerrmannSam.Photo.001.7.19.16
Title:
Joe and Sam Herrmann play music on their back porch
Date:
2016-07-19
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Fiddling, Banjo, Critton Hollow Stringband, Folk music--West Virginia, Fiddle tunes, Old-time music
Location:
Hampshire County (W. Va.)