The Founding of the Farm at Black Mountain College

The farm at Black Mountain College was a remarkable achievement. Student-initiated and largely student-led, the farm was conceived in fall 1933, debated throughout winter, and launched in spring 1934. Building on his well-received program at the Hunt Library last summer, David Silver, visiting scholar at the NCSU Libraries, is back to discuss the origins of the farm at Black Mountain College and share his recent research that dispels some often-held misconceptions about both the farm and the College itself. Using the Hunt Library’s high resolution visualization spaces as well as materials from the NCSU Libraries Special Collections Research Center, Silver will bring never-before-seen photographs and his electric presentation style to this interactive discussion of the genesis of the most significant art college in America’s history. Silver is an associate professor of media studies, environmental studies, and urban agriculture at the University of San Francisco.

Following the program, attendees are invited to join Professor Silver for refreshments and discussion in Hunt Library’s Collaboration Hub (Level 5).