Peter L. Schmunk, professor emeritus of art history at Wofford College, will discuss his book “Looking Glass Rock: Grandeur and Abundance in the Southern Appalachian Mountains” on Tuesday, October 27, at 3 p.m. in the Clemson Center for Geospatial Technologies located on the fourth floor of Cooper Library.
The book, published by Clemson University Press, is a deep study of both the natural and human history of Looking Glass Rock, one of the outstanding features of North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest.
Looking Glass Rock is a pluton, a massive mound of granite defined by towering cliffs that attract elite climbers as well as casual hikers and sightseers. An extensive photographic archive forms the core of the book, supplemented by historic images and maps. An accompanying essay explores the abundant botany and unique geology of Looking Glass Rock, as well as the various peoples — Cherokee Indians, hardscrabble Scots-Irish farmers, vastly wealthy Biltmore estate owners, loggers, moonshiners, and Civilian Conservation Corpsmen — who once occupied the area and left traces of their former presence.
The Clemson Center for Geospatial Technologies (CCGT) supports research, teaching and outreach activities related to the collection, analysis and application of geospatial data.
“Because mapping and location-based information is such a key piece of this book, it felt natural to partner with CCGT to host this presentation,” said Clemson University Press Director Alison Mero. “It is a beautiful book full of insightful information about a natural wonder that is practically in our own backyard.”
Schmunk’s lecture is free and open to the public. Click here to register to attend.