About Our Initiative

Maryland Traditions, a partnership of the Maryland State Arts Council and the Maryland Historical Trust, and Frostburg State University have joined forces to create Folklore and Appalachian Studies courses and programming at FSU. Concerned with the study of human creativity and tradition as a reflection of culture, community, and/or place, Folklorist Dr. Kara Rogers Thomas and her students are documenting a great variety of regional traditions including family recipes, narratives, beliefs and customs, music, folk art, and more.

This is an interdisciplinary endeavor including participants from Sociology, Biology, Mass Communication, and Student and Community Involvement. Moreover, by working closely with several local organizations and artists, the project reaffirms the University’s commitment to the regional community. Plans are currently underway for the development of a WFWM radio series and several short television documentaries featuring regional traditions and lore.

Upcoming Events

• Appalachian Festival
• Smithsonian Key Ingredients Exhibit at FSU

Contact Us
For more information contact:

Dr. Kara Rogers Thomas
Office: 211 Tawes Hall
(301) 687-3124
krogersthomas@frostburg.edu