My
name is Laiken Boyd. I am an Appalachian Forest Heritage Area AmeriCorps member
serving with the Upshur County Historical Society. I am a proud West Virginian
native, originally from the small town of Cameron, WV. I attended Glenville
State College where I received a bachelor of the arts in traditional bluegrass
music. Upon my graduation in 2014, I went on to pursue a master’s degree at
Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. I graduated there in December of 2016
with a master of the arts in Appalachian Studies. My focus while there was
traditional roots music and culture of Appalachia, but specifically the music of
the original Carter Family, and later Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard. While
attending App State, I had the opportunity to work several assistantships, one
of which I spent with the library special collections, retitling and organizing
some of their previously archived collections. I have enjoyed my time here at
the USHS so far, archiving the collections and researching Upshur County
musicians. I am looking forward to learning more in the coming year, and
strengthening my knowledge in the world of museum studies. Upshur County is a
historically rich county, and Noel and Amy, along with the help of their
volunteers, have done so much to preserve this history, upholding Buckhannon’s
motto “the promise of tomorrow with the dignity of yesterday.” I am glad to be a
part of this community for the next year.