All Things Appalachia Speaker Series
“Lookout Towers of North Carolina with Peter Barr”
Thursday, April 7, 6:30 pm
Rogow Room

Program Description 
In the 1920s and 1930s, forestry organizations built dozens of lookout structures in Western North Carolina as the backbone of a firefighting system. Many of these lookouts survive in North Carolina today and represent some of the best destinations for hikers who want to see the incredible vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Join conservationist and author Peter Barr for stories about the history and folklore of the lookouts and their inhabitants, as well as highlights from hikes to these unique locales.

Bio 
Peter J. Barr, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is the director for the North Carolina chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association, a group of enthusiasts who restore and protect lookout towers nationwide. He is the author of Exploring North Carolina’s Lookout Towers: A Guide to Hikes and Vistas, a two-time nationally award-winning trails designer, and a Trails Specialist for Conserving Carolina. Peter and his wife, Allison, make their home in Asheville, NC, though they’re currently – and indefinitely – adventuring full-time across the United States in their RV with their two cats, Oscar (the Grouch) and Sweetie.