Signs, Cures, and Witchery Film Screening

Join us for a free showing of the documentary Signs, Cures, and Witchery, introduced by folklorist Gerry Milnes. Doors will open at 5:30 and the film will begin at 6:00. Before and after the film, guest are encouraged to look at our exhibit Creating Cultures: Ethnic Groups in the AFNHA to learn more about our heritage in the region. Light refreshments will be provided.

“This hour-long documentary traces Germanic belief systems from Europe to West Virginia, from the fifteenth century to present practitioners. Signs, Cures and Witchery opens a window into our ancient past, revealing the courage, resourcefulness and humor of people whose survival depended on their ability to “read signs,” cure their own ills, and find explanations for life’s mysteries. Local community practices in West Virginia such as witch doctoring, “belsnickling,” “shanghai,” and folk healing are connected to their medieval counterparts in woodcuts and other works of art. In tracing immigration to remote mountain communities, we learn how expressions of folk art and occult belief survive. This work specifically examines aspects of Appalachian oral tradition and folklore that draw from German culture.”