Letterpress to Print Cherokee Language Arrives at Oconaluftee Institute

Brannon continued, “There is much potential to first print in traditional letterpress style in the indigenous language, instructing students in this craft and then have those materials printed by more commercial means to reach a larger audience in support of language revitalization.”

The acquisition of the press was funded through a $68,846 grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation and a $47,792 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The staff and Board of Directors began work on the grants and developing plans for a letterpress printing studio in spring 2009. Steve Robinson of Letterpreservation, in Rising Sun, Indiana, was instrumental in assisting in purchasing and delivering the press and additional equipment for the printing studio.