Collections

The Appalachian Alliance was formally organized in June 1977 to 'support individuals and communities which are working to gain democratic control over their lives, work places and natural resources.' This collection contains a list of Appalachian Alliance members and interested persons, minutes of meetings, circulars, and conference plans.

Correspondence by West Virginia and United States Congressmen to Harold and Betty Forbes regarding various political issues, both local and national. Local issues include West Virginia riverboat gambling and a proposed tramway at Cooper's Rock State Forest. There are responses written by Brian Gallagher, Sarah A. Minear, Joe Manchin III, Eric T. Blass, Michael Oliverio II, Robert C. Beach, Michael A. Buchanan, Larry E. Schifano, Stephen L. Cook, and Robert E. Trocin (state commissioner). Federal issues include the sales tax charged by out-of-state retailers and the proposed federal budget cuts potentially effecting health care and nutrition programs, like Women Infant Children (WIC). Responses were issued by Robert C. Byrd, Harley O. Staggers, David Michael Staton, Robert H. Mollohan, Nick J. Rahall, and Clive Benedict. There are also miscellaneous letters that relate to other matters of proposed legislation in the 1980's, a brochure titled 'Your Key to Information About the West Virginia Legislature,' and a letter by Phil Conley to Mrs. Evelyn Randolph in 1960.

A collection of typescripts, brochures, pamphlets, books, tape recordings, and assorted ephemeral publications concerning radical political and economic groups and community organizing related to labor history in Appalachia and the United States as compiled by Keith Dix. Organizations and publications represented in the collection include New Directions in Labor (1970-1971), New American Movement (1970-1971), New University Conference (1971), Labor Research Association (1971), Students for a Democratic Society (1963), and Radical Education Project (1968-1969), among others. Also includes material from 1923 to 1976 concerning coal mining labor relations and the role of unions such as the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). Topics of these items include rank-and-file members of the union, strikes, agreements, and mechanization. Tape recordings contain oral history interviews conducted by Keith Dix. Interviews chiefly concern coal mining in West Virginia. A more complete list of publications and tape recordings is available in the library. Most of the collection is arranged according in subject files, according to the topic or name of organization.