Appalachian Oral History Project
Scope and Contents
The collection covers 1986-91, with the bulk of the collection in the year 1991. Collection consists of interview tapes and interview tape logs of oral history interviews conducted by student interviewers in Dr. Jean Speer's Appalachian Community Studies class in the Department of Humanities at Virginia Tech, and by a student of Dr. Bohland. Interviewees include Frank W. Bannister, Lillie A. Beavers, Julia T. Bratton, Thomas Cartmel Brown, Carol M. Caldwell, Freeman A. Cockram, Virginia B. Creger, Robert and Josephine Dolinger, Ora Evans, Donald R. Fessler, Anne W. Frame, David H. Halsey, Mildred S. Richardson, Judith C. Sale, and Elizabeth M. Weatherford. Restricted interviews include Georgia Croy, Carlton Harmon, Jack and Lillian Minnick, and Ellison A. Smyth. Transcript available for Kenneth S. Hamblin, Sr., interview. The collection also includes undated tapes of the Shapenote Singing School and a tape of Presentation Music/Interview with Keith Webb, Arkansas Shapenote Gathering Concert.
Dates
- 1986 - 1991
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to research with the exception of tapes and transcripts for which there are no oral history release forms. Box four of the collection is restricted with no access because release forms are unavailable for these interviews.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
Most of the interviews in the collection were conducted as part of an Appalachian Oral History project in an 1991 Appalachian Community Studies class taught by Professor Jean Speer. With the possible exception of Kenneth Webb, interviewees resided in the New River Valley.
Extent
1.25 Cubic Feet (4 boxes)
Abstract
This collection contains oral history interview cassette tapes and tape logs for 23 interviews conducted by students with 25 interviewees in the local community. Most interviews were collected as part of a 1991 Appalachian Community Studies class of Professor Jean Speer of the Department of Humanities at Virginia Tech. Unless noted, interviews have not been transcribed. For some interviewees, there is a student paper based on the interview.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically by interviewee. Box 1 contains documentation and notes, boxes 2 and 3 contain tapes, and box 4 contains restricted tapes and tape logs.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Appalachian Oral History Project by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of the Appalachian Oral History Project commenced in October, 2003 and was completed in November, 2003.
- Title
- A Guide to the Appalachian Oral History Project 1986-91
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Tamara Kennelly
- Date
- 2003 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Revision Statements
- 2020-09-22: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu