LitCafé: John Ehle’s The Road w Steve Little and Dr. Richard Starnes

LitCafé: John Ehle’s The Road w Steve Little and Dr. Richard Starnes

Join the Western North Carolina Historical Association April 13 at 6pm for this virtual program. This third event in our LitCafé series explores John Ehle’s 1967 book The Road. Set in western North Carolina, this work of fiction is based on the real history and people behind the Western North Carolina Railroad which connected the eastern and western portions of the state in 1880. As a local native, Ehle published seventeen different works of fiction and nonfiction throughout his career, shaping the depiction of western NC in several ways. He also won the 1984 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for his work Last One Home.

This program features Steve Little, the mayor of Marion and a member of the RAIL Project, who will examine The Road. He is joined by Dr. Richard Starnes, who will discuss Ehle and some of his other works. The audience is encouraged to ask questions during the Q&A session following presentations. This virtual program is followed on the 17th with a hike led by Marion mayor Steve Little where we will examine the real history of the incarcerated laborers who toiled and often perished completing this rail line.

You must pre-register for this virtual event. A Zoom link will be emailed to you. For questions, email Trevor Freeman at education@wnchistory.org