Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists

Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists (HWFA) is a study group of Western North Carolina Fibers/Handweaver’s Guild (WNCF/HG) and located in the renovated boarding house at Historic Johnson Farm (part of Henderson County Public Schools). HWFA is dedicated to preserving the Appalachian fiber crafts needed to support a frontier homestead in Western North Carolina. 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 pubic 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.