History Happy Hour: Nancy Reeder
Tue, Oct 07
|Center for Pioneer Life
Join us for August History Happy Hour featuring Nancy Reeder!


Time & Location
Oct 07, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Center for Pioneer Life, 134 Joe Young Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714, USA
About the event
Join us for History Happy with storyteller Nancy Reeder! She will be telling the story of Grandma Gatewood's hike through the Appalachian Trail. The topic will be: Pioneering Pathways: From Grandma Gatewood to Hiking Today.
Without a tent, sleeping bag, or maps, Emma Gatewood thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail by herself, chronicled in Ben Montgomery’s 2014 book—Grandma Gatewood’s Walk. During the performance, I bring her back to life through costume, Emma's memories and observations. (read more)
I didn’t know about Grandma Gatewood when I did the A.T.. Yet, while reading Montgomery’s account I recognized places which I had also trekked, like the moss-covered peak in Maine, which I believe to be Mt. Carlo. While climbing Mt. Carlo, Emma realized she had missed the shelter and was upset with herself, but found a peaceful place on top to spend the night. Having climbed that peak myself, I am able to tell her…