UNC Asheville Acquires Historic Documents from the Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers;
Collection Details Local Craft History

UNC Asheville’s D. Hidden Ramsey Library Special Collections Department recently acquired a collection of 118 drawings and documents detailing the history of the famed Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers. The collection, named in honor of master carver Pauline Miller Cowan, was donated by her daughter, Elizabeth Scruggs.

The Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers operated in Tryon, N.C., from 1915-1940. The company focused on two operations: the toy makers created small, painted wooden figurines based on classic nursery rhymes, while the carvers created mantles, furniture, church altars and other specialized wooden pieces. While the toys and wood carvings were created based on traditional European designs and were not typical Appalachian crafts of the time, many of the region’s well-known carvers began perfecting their craft while working with the Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers.

“The Tryon Toy Makers were very important to the regional craft movement of the early 20th century. This generous gift is a significant addition to UNC Asheville’s regional history archives,” said Helen Wykle, UNC Asheville Ramsey Library Special Collections coordinator.

“Ramsey Library’s Web pages and online finding aids facilitate the study of North Carolina’s remarkable craft history,” said Wykle. “We are dedicated to preserving original documents, with climate controls, security and professional conservation practices. My staff and I welcome the opportunity to serve the public by offering a safe haven for materials of significance to cultural history.”

Wykle is working with UNC Asheville’s Art Department to incorporate the Pauline Miller Cowan Collection into the University’s emerging craft curriculum. In addition, she plans to hire an art major to serve as a student intern to process the collection and conduct background research. The papers are also available for students pursuing undergraduate research on local craft history.

Cowan, for whom the collection was named, was one of the region’s most distinguished wood carvers. The Polk County native began whittling as a young girl. She graduated from Wake Forest College with an education degree but found that teaching didn’t suit her as well as wood carving. She was invited to join the Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers and began executing many of the most demanding assignments, including architectural woodwork for Seely’s Castle in Asheville and the elaborate doorway for the David Lawrence mansion in Washington, D.C. Cowan also carved the squirrel-nut bowl presented to Eleanor Roosevelt.

Information about the Pauline Miller Cowan collection is available online at http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/mss/cowan/cowan.htm. The entire collection is available to the public during regular Ramsey Library Special Collection hours. Special Collections is open from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and is located on top floor of the library.

For more information, call the UNC Asheville Ramsey Library Special Collections Department at 828/251-6645.

Media Contacts:

• Helen Wykle, UNC Asheville Ramsey Library Special Collections Coordinator, 828/251-6645
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526