Change in the Mountains
While development and change were slow in coming to the North Carolina Mountain Region, the last half a century has seen a surge in both.

Changes in Southern Politics
The political landscape in the South underwent significant change during the twentieth century. Political and social change in Southern states was directly connected to some of the landmark events of American history, particularly the Civil Rights Movement.

Child Labor in the Cotton Mills
Dozens of mills across North and South Carolina drew workers from rural and mountain farms, who traded in farm life for life in the mill village...

Hurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd is considered one of the most damaging hurricanes to hit North Carolina, and what caused the damage may surprise you...

Race in Charlotte Schools
In the 1970s, the public school system of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County in North Carolina was ordered by the federal courts to desegregate. The district then faced busing, lawsuits, protests, and riots during its struggle with the issue of racial quotas...

Slavery in North Carolina
North Carolina, like other Southern states, relied on slavery to build its economy during the 18th and 19th centuries. Slaves across the state raised crops, did domestic chores, constructed new buildings, sailed ships, and performed countless other jobs, all for no pay...

The Stories of the American South. are based on historic artifacts found in the special collections of the Wilson Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You will find links to additional resources, both digital and non-digital throughout each of the Stories.

We invite you to explore, reflect, and think critically about the people, places, and events that have shaped North Carolina and the American South.

Southern Women Trailblazers
The twentieth century was a time of great social change in America. One example of remarkable change was in the role of women in American society.

Tobacco Bag Stringing
Throughout the tobacco-growing regions of the American South during the Great Depression, individuals and families earned much-needed income by sewing drawstrings into small cotton tobacco bags.