On the outskirts of Burnsville, the Center for Pioneer Life offers a look into the past and preserves Southern Appalachian heritage for the future. The Strawbridge and Martha Wilson Young Foundation, descendants of the property’s original owners, established the center in 2018. Today, the homestead includes a reconstructed 1847 cabin, a farm and garden, and several outbuildings. It also has a large classroom space for workshops, lectures, and other special events, as well as an administration building.
The Center for Pioneer Life focuses on historic interpretation to educate students, teachers, and locals about the area’s heritage. The property is meant to represent an 1850s sustainability farm, a self-sufficient farm in which residents did and grew everything for their daily living. Workshops, lectures, and farm tours are among the Center’s offerings.
Crafts, music, and dance were important creative outlets for locals then and now. Visitors can find volunteers around the cabin and farm demonstrating broom making, blacksmithing, fiddle and mandolin playing, and more. The heritage is on full display at festivals and special events.
The Center for Pioneer Life focuses on:
- Programming for field trips and community groups.
- Workshops in traditional skills.
- Community conversations and guest lectures.
- Seasonal events and festivals.
