Our History
During the first half of the 20th century, Johnson Farm was a working farm which also served as a summer tourist retreat. In 1923, a boarding house was built by Vernon and Leander Johnson to house the overflow of guests who enjoyed the healthy mountain hospitality and good food of Sallie Johnson (known as ‘Aunt Sallie’ to her friends and guests). In 1987, the Johnson brothers willed their farm and possessions to the Henderson County Board of Public Education as a lasting example of a mountain farm for the children of Henderson County. It was the wish of the Johnson brothers to create a heritage education facility.
Through HWFA’s collaboration with the Historic Johnson Farm and the Blue Ridge Mountain Heritage Area the boarding house has been transformed into a fiber arts center. As school children and the public tour the farm they see and/or experience hands-on learning in fiber arts. This may include weaving, rug hooking, bobbin lace, spinning, or knitting. A dye garden is being established to further mountain heritage crafts.
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists, Inc. is threefold:
- To establish a fiber arts center that will enable both new and experienced fiber artists of all ages to come together in a continuing exchange of creative energy while exploring techniques of their various craft interests
- To promote heritage fiber arts in the Henderson County community by teaching and demonstrating individual fiber crafts
- To develop in young people a knowledge and appreciation of fiber craft and its place in our culture by acting as a resource for classroom teachers and conducting programs for youth
Our Goals
- To establish and manage a scholarship fund to benefit individuals and/or groups who wish to be enrolled in fiber arts classes for credit or for continuing education purposes
- To maintain a fiber arts facility, with equipment and supplies, that will support the mission of the Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists, Inc.
- To cultivate a broad membership of crafts persons experienced in various aspects of fiber arts, who will act as a resource to implement the mission of the Heritage Weavers
- To seek out sources of funding that will be adequate to make the resources of the Heritage Weavers available to its users at reasonable cost