Native American Artifact Exhibit June 25 Unique Collection at Blowing Rock American Legion Hall Before Bishop Spangenberg came to Blowing Rock in 1752, Indian tribes roamed these verdant hills enjoying fertile land, beauty and the unsurpassed vistas that we enjoy to today. The Cherokee and Catawba tribes, hostile to one another, were separated by mountain peeks, but are very much a part of Blowing Rocks history, as noted in the legend of The Blowing Rock itself. This ancient heritage will be celebrated on Saturday, June 25 when the Blowing Rock Community Club and The Blowing Rock Historical Society bring Warner B. Williams to town to share his rare and exceptional collection of “buried treasure”. On June 25th, from 10:00 am until 4:00 p.m., the two organizations will offer the community and visitors the opportunity to view a priceless collection of Indian artifacts ranging from the period when the American Indian traveled from Tennessee through North Carolina more than 11,000 years ago. Many of Mr. Williams’ arrow points range from 4000 to 3500 B.C. The American Legion Hall at 333 Wallingford Street will be the location where the two organizations have arranged for Mr. Williams to share his award wining collection of arrowheads, tools and artifacts representing Southeastern Indian tribes, including the Uwharrie, Sapon, Occoneechee, Catawba and Keyauwee. Sponsorship of this event is by The Bob Timberlake Gallery at Blowing Rock. Mr. Timberlake’s long time interest in history and our native American legacy in North Carolina has broadened the subject matter of his artistic talent and he wants to share with his friends and admirers in the High Country this rare opportunity to view these artifacts. He has generously joined with the Historical Society and the Community Club to provide this occasion to view Warner Williams collection, free of charge, to all who are interested in the area’s native American background. The “drop in” format will provide a chance for guests to visit with Mr. William and learn from him about the collection he started as a boy. Warner Williams’ collection has traveled widely and has brought him not just fame, but awards in many shows. He enters about six shows a year and always comes home with a prize. At one show in Greenville, when competing with 60 other exhibitors from the mid-Atlantic region, he won seven of the top ten awards. His pieces appear in prestigious publications like The Official Overstreet Indian Arrowheads: Identification and Price Guide (the bible for people who collect arrowheads) which displays 146 of Williams’s points. Recently featured in Our State magazine, Williams enjoys telling the stories and possibilities about southeastern Indians and their traveling patterns and interactions with each other. His collection began in 1950 when he found an arrowhead in a neighbors field which had been turned over with a mule driven plow. Williams notes that his collection could not be duplicated now, as the massive machinery turning over soil now would break up any artifacts. “Highly respect in the field of American Indian Artifacts, Williams will be here only one day, June 25th, and Blowing Rock is most fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity to see his collection,” said Joan Kasper of the Community Club. “We hope everyone will mark their calendars now to seize this wonderful chance to view this major collection. Remember the date is June 25th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the American Legion Hall”, she finished.