Appalachian Oral History Project

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Appalachian Oral History Project, Ms1993-025, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

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.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Appalachian Oral History Project, Ms1993-025, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Processing information:

The processing, arrangement and description of the Appalachian Oral History Project commenced in October, 2003 and was completed in November, 2003.

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.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard