Preserving the Voices and Stories of a Vanishing Appalachia
Appalachian Memory Keepers (AMK) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and sharing the rich history, heritage, and culture of Appalachia. Through storytelling, video, photography, and writing, we strive to honor the people and traditions that shaped this remarkable region—before they fade away.
Our work is only possible because of the generosity of those who believe, as we do, that Appalachian stories deserve to be heard and remembered.
Click here to make a donation.
Why We Do What We Do
Appalachia is changing—quickly. Over the past fifteen years, many of the individuals we filmed or interviewed have passed on. Without our efforts to document their memories, their wisdom and experiences would have been lost forever.
You can watch many of these powerful stories on our YouTube channel, where we offer free access to a growing library of authentic Appalachian content.
But there’s still so much more to preserve.
We are in a race against time to document the real Appalachia—the stories, customs, and voices that shaped generations—before they are gone for good. We believe these people and this region matter. They have contributed far more to our society than most realize, and their stories deserve to be told with honesty, dignity, and respect.
Why It Matters
Our children—and their children—deserve to know where they come from. They need to understand the depth and beauty of their authentic Appalachian roots, not the tired stereotypes that too often dominate pop culture.
At Appalachian Memory Keepers, we are committed to keeping these memories alive. One story at a time.