Beginning in the 1950s, NC Cooperative Extension began offering handcraft workshops throughout western North Carolina.

Many families in our area were knowledgeable and skilled in making quilts, baskets and other handcrafts in their homes.

The extension workshops enabled the community to learn the invaluable skills and to market their crafts.

This tradition of Heritage Crafts Skills is continuing today through the Polk County Extension Service.

A Heritage Crafts Workshop will be held on Thursday, May 2 at the Mill Spring Agriculture Center from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

A variety of workshops will be offered including making a “J” Hook with one of our local blacksmiths; make a glass mosaic butterfly trivet and creating a beaded rope bracelet.