George Berry interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Sharon G. Marston, 1979

Creator:

Berry, George Lee, 1916-1988, Smith, Dorothy Noble, 1915-1999, and Marston, Sharon G. (Sharon Gates), 1944-

Scope and content:

Records the reminiscences of George Berry, who was born in the Cool Springs area near Fishers Gap, Virginia, in a log house on land that would eventually become part of Shenandoah National Park. Describes his early home and family life, school days at the Forrest Dale School, farm chores,and folk remedies. Discusses family gatherings, folk music, bark peeling and local moonshiners. Recalls his experiences working for the New Deal relief programs, the National Youth Administration as a boy, and later for its parent program, the Works Progress Administration. Mr. Berry recalls playing folk music for tourists at scenic stops along Skyline drive. Also discussed are the evictions of families from their homes, subsequently located within park boundaries, and the long term social and economic effects on those people over the following decades.

Names:

Berry, George Lee, 1916-1988
Smith, Dorothy Noble, 1915-1999
Marston, Sharon G. (Sharon Gates), 1944-

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