Mars Hill in Madison County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bascom Lamar Lunsford
1882 - 1973
Photographed By A. Taylor, November 23, 2013
1. Bascom Lamar Lunsford Marker
"Minstrel of Appalachia." Folklorist, collector, & performer. Pioneered and promoted American folk festivals. Was born here.
Erected 1999 by Division of Archives and History. (Marker Number P-80.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list.
Location. 35° 49.586′ N, 82° 32.945′ W. Marker is in Mars Hill, North Carolina, in Madison County. Marker is on Cascade St. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mars Hill NC 28754, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rural Heritage Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Mars Hill University (within shouting distance of this marker); Mars Hill College (within shouting distance of this marker); Spilman Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Founders Hall (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Mars Hill College (about 400 feet away); Marshbanks Hall (about 400 feet away); McConnell Hall (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mars Hill.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. Listen to Bascom Lamar Lunsford recordings. Internet Archive website entry (Submitted on October 1, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. NC State Office of Archives and History for marker P-80. (Submitted on January 4, 2014, by A. Taylor of Laurel, Maryland.)
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 28, 2009
2. Bascom Lamar Lunsford
Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born at Mars Hill, Madison County, North Carolina in 1882. His father James Bassett Lunsford was a self-taught teacher and his mother Luarta Leah Buckner often sang old ballads and religious songs. His father bought a fiddle to be shared between Bascom and his brother Blackwell. Later his brother bought a banjo. He played this on all social occasions - square dances, weddings and school entertainments. He enrolled at Rutherford College and began teaching in Madison County. When he became a fruit tree salesman he visited isolated farms and there exchanged songs and tunes with the customers. In 1906 he married Nellie Triplett. In 1909 he re-enrolled at Rutherford College. After studying at Trinity College (which became Duke University) he passed the bar exams and became licensed solicitor in 1913.
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 26, 2009
3. Bascom Lamar Lunsford Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,069 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 4, 2014, by A. Taylor of Laurel, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 28, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 3. submitted on September 27, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
