Libby Kephart Hargrave Speaks to MDCS 8th Grade as Part of Studies on Hazel Creek

              Horace Kephart's great granddaughter, Libby Kephart Hargrave, was a guest speaker in the MDCS eighth grade classroom on October 14th as part of the follow up for their week of field studies at Hazel Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The class had discussed Horace Kephart and his work during the trip. 

              Mrs. Hargrave, who is descended from George, the fifth of Kephart's six children, began by giving the class an overview of Kephart's life prior to his relocation to a cabin on the Adams-Westfeldt mine site.  She was frank with the class regarding his history of binge drinking and his unique relationship with his wife.  Mrs. Hargrave credited  Laura's courage in raising six children as a single mother while maintaining contact with her husband as a key to Horace Kephart's success.  Hargrave said that, "Horace never would have been able to achieve all that he did without Laura's blessing."  The couple remained married until their deaths, and part of Laura's will stipulated that her ashes be interred at Horace's grave site and that all of their letters to one another be burned.

              Mrs. Hargrave went on to read excerpts from Kephart's books Our Southern Highlanders and Camping and Woodcraft.  She told the class about Kephart's love of the outdoors, camping and the local people.  During his summers in the Smokies, he frequently tested and reviewed prototype outdoor gear.  Mrs. Hargrave also told the class about the Kephart collection at the Mountain Heritage center in Cullowhee.  The class is will take a field trip to view the collection soon.

              Mrs. Hargrave's visit provided the class with extensive personsal insight into Mr. Kephart's life that is simply not available from any other source.

The obligatory group shot....