Exploring Primary Sources: Environmental Activism in Appalachia Exercise

In 1962, Congress authorized construction of a dam in the Red River Gorge area of Daniel Boone National Forest as proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to alleviate flooding in the area. However, the proposal met resistance among local residents, activists, conservationists, and environmental organizations, leading to national attention and many years of controversy. The construction of the dam was eventually halted through a court injunction.  

Today, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission, more than 7,500 tourists visit the Red River Gorge each year. Recreational hiking, climbing, and camping contribute more than $3.6 million to the regional economy, due largely to the natural beauty and biodiversity which has been preserved and maintained through conservationists’ efforts. Had the proposed dam been built and the landscape altered, tourism in the area and its economic impact might be very different today. 

Below you will find materials related to the controversy surrounding the proposed dam, including clippings from local newspapers as well as an excerpt from a Sierra Club newsletter. As you look at the materials and work through the discussion questions with your group, think about the context in which these were created and consider what unique knowledge and perspective we can gain from them. 

Brainstorm. List 10-20 words or phrases about the documents/items. Start with the details of the document, like topic, names, publication, etc. What do you find interesting? Strange? Do you find anything appealing or disturbing? Things you don’t understand or are unfamiliar with?

Bias. Identify some biases in play. What do we know or what can we infer about the speakers? Whose perspective is represented? Who is the target audience? 

Context. Think about the when and why of this primary source. What gives their voice authority? What should we be wary of? What makes this a valuable resource to the topic? 

Power. What power relationships can you identify in the materials? Can you identify any gaps or silences? Try to think in terms of format in addition to content. 

Place. Think about the places referenced, using a map of Kentucky if needed. Where are these places? Where are the newspapers created and distributed? What does that tell us about the audience? 

Reflections. What can we learn from these materials? How is our understanding of the topic enhanced through these first-hand recollections? What are some avenues for further research on this topic? Why does this matter?