"... thirty-five years later, the old timers have all but died out. Their children and grandchildren often work in town and are increasingly separated from their land and culture. Many of the early newcomers still live, and are involved, in the county and some continue to farm and garden. But most have ended up in the careers they were trained for: musicians, carpenters, businessmen, and teachers.

My interest is in how and why this is happening. Who are these New Mountaineers? How did they get here? Where did they come from? What changes will they bring? How will they fit in? What will Madison County look like in ten years?"

About the Photographer and Author

Rob Amberg’s photographs and writing have been exhibited and published nationally and internationally in journals, magazines, and galleries. He lectures frequently and does regular assignment work for non-profit organizations, philanthropic foundations and editorial publications. He is the recipient of fellowships and awards from numerous organizations, including: the National Endowment for the Humanities, the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, the Center for Documentary Studies, Alternate Roots, the North Carolina Humanities Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. He lives in rural Madison County, North Carolina, with his wife, two children and an assortment of animals.