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Appalshop surpasses goal for restoring artifacts damaged in floods

Samantha Morrill

During the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods much of Appalshop’s archives in Letcher County were damaged. Officials from the organization said approximately 85% of their pieces in storage were affected in some capacity. Roger May is the Director of Artistic Programs for the organization. He said they recently started an online campaign to raise funds for the restoration of a few pieces that were impacted. He also said the target amount needed to fully restore the eight pieces totals around $5,000.

“We had a Chester Cornett chair that was damaged. We had a Lily May Ledford banjo that needed some restoration. Fred Carter had sculptures that were also damaged. And then, of course, we had some really beautiful quilts that needed to be restored as well,” said May.

May said in three days they met and surpassed their goal with around $6,700 collected.

“The money that we've raised above and beyond our goal of $5,000 will go directly into restoration and preservation of other archival materials that need attention as well. There's unfortunately no shortage of items that we have that still need some restoration work on them, and this will help us offset that cost,” May said.

May added Appalshop recently named a new Executive Director, with the board choosing Tiffany Sturdivant to lead the organization’s efforts. More information on the organization and its restoration progress can be found at appalshop.org.