Feels like home
Williamsburg and Whitley County 2024

Photos by Bisi Cameron Yee, Anita Strods Dore, Gabriel Edward Milby, Abbey Santoro, Ali Costellow, Eli Hartman, Dominic Di Palermo, Daniel Sarch, Ashton Harper Melton, Ian Pitchford, Isaac Barnett, Jesse Hollon, Jonah Hinebaugh, Lindsey McIntosh, Von Smith Jr., Raye M. White,

A community of neighbors
In the Southeast corner of Kentucky near Tennessee and Virginia, Whitley County is a mountain landscape sliced by Interstate 75 and the Cumberland River. The city of Corbin is on the north end and Williamsburg, the county seat and home to the University of the Cumberlands, lies in the center. This is an Appalachian community with a rich past where friendly, hard-working people are trying to figure out their future.

“This is my community, this is my people and this is what is important to me,” local resident Laurel West said. “It feels like home; it’s good people here and that makes a difference.”

Video by Adam Wolffbrandt, Sam Mallon and the Mountain Workshops participants

October 24 - October 28, 2024
Directed by Western Kentucky University’s Visual Journalism & Photography program, 77 student and professional photographers and videographers from around the nation, along with a staff of nearly 60 educators, editors and assistants, spent the last week of October 2024 capturing the stories of this distinctive American community.

“You need a little swagger,” Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said. “Larger cities might have more swagger, but we can swag with the best of them. You have to see our community to understand our community.”
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stories
PHOTOS BY Gabriel Edward Milby
A new community, a new start
Becca Rice came to Williamsburg to help overcome drug addiction. She has found a supportive community that is helping her support her two sons and study to become a therapist. In the future, she hopes to help others overcome addiction.
VIDEO BY Kayden Mulrooney
A good friend
As Justeen Wilson, 85, deals with the hardships of aging, her community reciprocates the love she has shown them for decades.
PHOTOS BY Dominic Di Palermo
A mayor for everybody
Mayor of Williamsburg Roddy Harrison knows almost the whole town. He's a friendly and affable pillar of the community.
VIDEO BY Matthew Thomas Bonfer
A blessing in disguise
When educator Jenine Leskiw developed breast cancer, she turned toward God and found unexpected support from friends and family.
photos By Isaac Barnett
Recipe for a family legacy
Descendants of a couple who purchased the Highland Park Drive In more than 40 years ago are committed to keeping the business in the family. The restaurant brings back memories for staff and customers alike.
VIDEO BY KC Ciresi
History is alive
Laurel West, a Williamsburg native living on her ancestral property, honors her family's legacy by giving back to the community. She reads to children, works at the library and embraces the spirits that linger in her historic, antique-filled home.
PHOTOS BY Von Smith Jr.
Everything in between
If you get off Interstate 75 between Corbin and Williamsburg, there's a lot of to see besides the famous Cumberland Falls. The mountains of Whitley County hide a subtle beauty that often goes unnoticed.
VIDEO BY Andrew Meriwether
Carol and her boy
Carol Smith strives to create a normal life for her son, Gunner, 10, who was born with a rare genetic disease.
PHOTOS By Kayla Bartkowski
A beloved town vet
Mike "Doc" Culver follows his father's legacy of serving the people and pets of Whitley County.
VIDEO BY Garrett Woodrum
Faith in change
Amanda Croley, a middle school principal and survivor of ovarian cancer, now guides more than 500 students in a community struggling with addiction and absent parents.
PHOTOS BY Lipe Borges
Centered on service
Catherine and Gregory Sims find fulfillment in their quiet life on their farm and in serving children, animals and the community.
VIDEO BY Doug Stroud
Rumbling there and back again
Lifelong motorcycle rider Fee Brown travels across the country on his Harley, but Williamsburg always calls him home.
PHOTOS BY Ashton Melton
A wild labor of love
Marti Wilson feels called to provide a sanctuary for wolf dogs, which often are misunderstood creatures.
VIDEO BY Jay Byrd
Box of color
Ten-year-old Chayton Hudson seems to feel more like a cat than a human, says his mother, Denise Mills. They collaborate to bring Chayton's vivid, feline-inspired ideas to life in a series of books they coauthor.
PHOTOS BY Laura Brett
Preparing for a new challenge
Kacy Jones is at a pivotal point in life. The high school senior has found success at Williamsburg Independent School and in her community. But change is coming: Soon she will leave for the University of Louisville.
VIDEO BY Caroline Bunge
Harvesting dreams from dust
After 21 years in the culinary industry, chef Nickolas Bishop pursues his dream of owning a restaurant. His farm-to-table vision in Williamsburg is set to come to life in early 2025.
PHOTOS BY Zach Brien
More than sewing
Thelma Hilbert's mother taught her how to sew as a child, igniting a passion for it. Now in retirement, she and other members of the Busy Bee Homemaker's Club make gifts for people in need.
VIDEO BY Madeline Powell
Life plays on
For Virgil Bowlin, a musician and music teacher, music isn't just about the instruments; it's a way of connection with his mother.
PHOTOS BY Baya Burgess
Call to Williamsburg
Three years into their life in Williamsburg, Coach Shan Housekeeper and Superintendent Tabetha Housekeeper coach students into adulthood.
VIDEO BY Keenan Miller
Heart of the park
Maggy Monhollen, the manager at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, demonstrates her commitment to the community through her work ethic and mentorship.
PHOTOS BY Bisi Cameron Yee
Loving in the moment
Ed and Kathryn Bailey discover 'home is not a place, it's a time' as they navigate the effects of Alzheimer's
VIDEO BY Eli Randolph
Facing the music
Chandler Powell is the lead singer of Three Years Apart, an alt rock band in Corbin. Despite the challenge of finding an audience, the band perseveres. Music is what Chandler wants to do.
PHOTOS BY Jack Cheasty
The 'Gentle Giant'
Football has been the focus of Herman Canada's life since fourth grade. As his senior year as a varsity player comes to an end, all that is about to change.
VIDEO BY Adin Parks
A barber's ties
Jerry Perry owns Modern Barbarian, a small barbershop rooted in Corbin's community. As Jerry cuts hair, he finds himself to be the grease on the wheel of the community, helping to develop relationships.
PHOTOS BY Ali Costellow
Heartache and hope
The Knox-Whitley Humane Association cares for community animals while navigating challenges.
VIDEO BY Jeff Alex Thomas
Nourishing braids
Inspired by her time living in Israel, Kris Caldwell makes Challah, an ancient Jewish bread whose recipe is passed down through generations. She hopes her grandson will continue the business she's building.
PHOTOS BY Tom Denny
Mr. Do It All
Rocky Moses Jr. is always on the go. His newest venture is restoring the beloved Lane Theater
VIDEO BY Jordana Rubenstein-Edberg
Standing in the gap
Kayla Henderson is a “doing everything, everywhere, all the time” educator who envisions and builds a community where people provide support for students who may not have a parent, a guide, or a helping hand.
PHOTOS BY Anita Strods Dore
Found family in a homeless shelter
While residents at the Emergency Christian Ministries have diverse reasons for becoming homeless, they manage to find family with each other.
VIDEO BY Lauren Howe
Called back to the mountains
Five years ago, Pati Sears Burnett returned to Williamsburg, where she spent her childhood summers. Here she researches her history to honor her mother and find out who she herself really is.
PHOTOS BY John Evans
Building a time capsule
For 30 years, Danny Sullivan has assembled a private collection of antique Americana to preserve it for future generations.
VIDEO BY Georgia Pressley
Crafting meaning
At age 83, Alice Fae Weiland is pursuing her passion as a basket weaver despite health challenges. With unwavering drive and creativity, she teaches that it’s never too late to create beauty and leave a lasting legacy.
PHOTOS BY Jonah Hinebaugh
Fighting fires, serving the community
The Williamsburg Fire Department is a home away from home. 'We'd do anything for each other'
VIDEO BY Vincent Paul Munoz
'Life's what you make of it'
Tammy Vosburgh is a subsistence farmer. Her husband, Brian Chinn, is a jack-of-all-trades. Together, they work to create their dream lives on a scenic Appalachian property.
PHOTOS BY Eddie Gaspar
Widening interests, horizons
Taylor Jackson is a high school senior and cheerleader in Williamsburg. The 18-year-old has picked up her mother's principles aimed at widening her activities and appreciating the world around her.
VIDEO BY Gerard David Millman
Home of the brave
After serving in the U.S. Army for 20 years, Andrew Modica returned home to Kentucky on his journey to reintegrate with his family and civilian life.
PHOTOS BY Isabel Ferré Sadurní
Dedicated to healing
Kerstin Colliver and Stephanie Keim have established Two Angels Horse Farm, dedicated to healing people as well as abused and neglected horses.
VIDEO BY Jess Kszos
Keeping the town alive
As music teacher and choir director at Williamsburg Independent Schools, Jonathan Wyatt works to provide a positive environment for young people of all ages. He believes instilling hope in them will help the community to thrive.
PHOTOS BY Olga Fedorova
The taste of home
Dina Davis grew up on a hill farm and left Whitley County to attend culinary school. Now she is back, nourishing her community as director of nutrition at Williamsburg Independent Schools.
VIDEO BY Stephanie Amador
Chasing nostalgia
Jim Bruso, owner of the Pinball Museum of Corbin, brings his childhood experience to a place where the community can gather and have some old-fashioned fun.
PHOTOS BY Eli Hartman
Kind words, big differences
Vaughn Hatcher says the lessons he teaches on the field and in the classroom are instrumental. His philosophy keeps him away from home most days.
VIDEO BY Preston Jenkins
A simple, artistic life
Longtime Whitley County resident Dal Macon has been an oil painter since 7th grade. Since losing his wife two years ago, he has found purpose in art, exercise and local friendships.
PHOTOS BY Jesse Hollon
Raising a future
On GoodThymes Organic Farm, love and hard work makes things grow.
VIDEO BY Brodie Curtsinger
A bunch of country loving
Sue Bunch owns and operates Roy's Grocery, a country store in the Rockholds community. Since her father Roy Bunch's untimely death in 1994, she has carried forward his love for people.
PHOTOS BY Samuel Huffman
Flowers for sorrow and joy
Greg and Terri Prewitt provide floral arrangements to members of their community for events ranging from birthdays to funerals.
VIDEO BY Rhea Begazo
The five to nine
Mark Alexander, an outdoors hobbyist with a 9-to-5 job, commits his free time to developing YouTube influencer status in hopes of getting paid to do what he loves.
PHOTOS BY Daria Huxley
More than football
For Kristen Bowlin, a Williamsburg native and mother of three, football is not just a pastime activity but also a great passion that keeps her sons and other children safe from harm and on the right path.
VIDEO BY Emilee Arnold
Living beautifully
Kirby Lewis is home-schooling her three sons: twins Kenny and Joey, 9; and Danny, 3. She works each day to instill a love for lifelong learning, beauty and nature as she seeks to protect them from the world's hardships.
PHOTOS BY Travis LaCoss
Finding purpose on two wheels
After caring for his aging parents, Jay Fryman needed new purpose in his life. The disabled veteran founded it in organizing motorcycle events to promote tourism and economic development in Appalachia.
PHOTOS BY Lindsey McIntosh
Family, faith, farm
The Brubakers enjoy a simple life as Mennonites devoted to each other and to God
PHOTOS BY Lawrence E. Miller
Baking to give back
Alicia Vanover finds joy in serving the community through her home-based baking business, Alicia's Treats.
PHOTOS BY Katelyn Myrick
Leaving a legacy, building a future
After 20 years teaching at Williamsburg Independent Schools, Bill Conn prepares for retirement and the goodbyes that comes with it.
PHOTOS BY Mattie Neretin
The quarterback
Nate Goodin is a leader on the field, in the community and at home
PHOTOS BY Nate Pappas
Loved so well
Ginnie West, a special education professor at the University of the Cumberlands has a daughter, Emma, with a number of disabilities. Along with her husband, Larry, Ginnie does her best to make sure Emma has the best life she can.
PHOTOS BY Jessica Parga
Land along the river
Amber Hale is living her dream of caring for animals and enjoying the land she dreamed of running away to as a child. Her dog grooming business on her property along the Cumberland River supports her passion of raising her 100 pets.
PHOTOS BY Monica Pedynkowski
Soul of the community
Mike's Barber Shop gives haircuts, but folks leave with so much more.
PHOTOS BY Ian Pitchford
Come as camper, leave as friend
Dennis Patrick operates a campground on land his family has owned for more than 150 years. He says he wants to give campers the chance to enjoy the beauty of the serene, wooded property along the Cumberland River.
PHOTOS BY Nigel Rumsey
Caring for the land and each other
Kathy Lay and Cleo White raise chickens, sheep, goats and horses.
PHOTOS BY Abbey Santoro
A foundation of faith
Tonya Moreland says her Christian faith is at the center of her life. A former teacher, she home-schooled her two daughters and wrote children’s books inspired by them and scripture.
PHOTOS BY Daniel Sarch
The promised land
Farmer Taulman Jackson looks to pass on his farm after health concerns and financial hardship due to the pandemic. His 10-year-old grandson might be the one to keep the family farm going.
PHOTOS BY Melyssa St. Michael
The dance of life
Returning to her childhood dance studio where she got her start, Naomi and husband Collin Davis navigate the next act of their life together in lock step.
PHOTOS BY Deni Stanev
Making dreams come true
Chelsea Harvey is realizing the dream of owning her own ceramic studio with the help and love of her husband, Brent Harvey. She instructs customers about painting on ceramic objects at the business in Corbin.
PHOTOS BY Melissa K. Taylor
A passion to serve
Cambodian native Chhiv Fong Chhuor, known as Fong, owns and operates King Donuts. The shop provides a welcoming atmosphere for locals and passers-by.
PHOTOS BY Alexander Bowman
As long as you're having fun
Lil' Jim's Smoked Meats serves meats from a trailer next to Highway 25. Jim Sharp is more than the owner of the smoker. He's a pillar of the community.
PHOTOS BY Reuben van Hoeve
A work in progress
An artist moves through the shifting phases of her personal and professional life with authenticity.
PHOTOS BY Brian Wells
History through burgers
After her husband died, Julie McCullah continued to run his family's restaurant to find comfort and healing.
PHOTOS BY Brian Wells
Finding camaraderie through music
Some University of the Cumberlands students feel the band's small size has helped them find friendship. 
PHOTOS BY Raye M. White
A family farm
Charline and Richard Meadors run a pumpkin patch with their entire family. Faith has sustained them through the ups and downs of farm life.
PHOTOS BY Brynn Wrankle
Seniors forever young
Newcomers to a senior activities center in Williamsburg might expect a quiet atmosphere, but nothing could be farther from reality. Center members, including some in their 90s, exude a sense of joy and liveliness that many younger people might envy.
Behind the lens
Take a look at the people behind the scenes who make this annual project a reality.

Video by Sean McInnis