The Holly Theatre is set to premiere a documentary chronicling the life of Appalachian historian John Rice Irwin.

The documentary, "Keeper of the Folkways: John Rice Irwin and the Museum of Appalachia," is a film by local filmmaker Heavenly Littleton and will premiere at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dahlonega theater.

The Appalachian Studies Center at North Georgia College & State University will present the documentary that celebrates Rice's commitment to the preservation of Appalachian folkways.

Rice was the founder of the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tenn. The museum was created so future generations would understand the importance of the Appalachian region, heritage and its people.

The hourlong documentary is three years in the making by Littleton.

In the documentary, Rice answers questions about the inspiration of the museum, his love for collecting Appalachian artifacts and what artifacts are in the museum.

Littleton's previous documentary, "Feels Like Home: An Appalachian Journey," won the Best Documentary Short category in 2005 by the Zoie Films Festival, an Internet-based independent movie awards Web site, and was a finalist in the Nashville Film Festival in 2004.

Tickets for the film are $5 and DVDs will be available at the premiere and at Cottonwood Village Antiques.

The Holly Theatre is located at 69 W. Main St. in Dahlonega. For more information contact 706-864-3759.