Film Screening: The Denim Dynasty

North Carolina’s Cone Textile Corporation was a world leader in textile manufacturing for much of the 20th century. The Denim Dynasty, a documentary by Dr. Beth Davison, Professor of Sociology and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at Appalachian State University, explores North Carolina’s textile heritage through the stories of the Cone family and the textile workers who helped to make Cone Mills the world’s largest producer of denim. The resulting dynasty contains familiar themes of U.S. history: immigration, Reconstruction, Industrial Revolution, paternalism and philanthropy.

“The Cone name forms a prominent part of Greensboro’s landscape,” Dr. Davison notes, “and Cone textile mills were a vital economic part of Greensboro for more than a century. As the memories of mill life begin to fade, I feel it is important to document this pivotal time in history that transformed the lives of many generations.” The film includes many images from museum archives, plus interviews with mill villagers and historians. Davison will be on hand for questions and conversation with the audience.

This program is in partnership with the Guilford County Chapter, Appalachian State University Alumni Association.