Search

Records the reminiscences of Isaac W. Beahm, who was born in the Batman Hollow area of Page County, Virginia, on a farm that would eventually become part of Shenandoah National Park. Describes his early home life, the loss of both parents when he was six years old, and the difficulties of running a small farm at the beginning of the 20th century. Recalls his school days at the Rocky Branch School, farm chores, and various odd jobs he held, such as working at local saw mills and tanneries, as well as helping to construct Skyline Drive. Discusses family gatherings, such as apple butter boilings, hog butchering and the folk music and dancing that often ensued. The interview was conducted at the home of Mr. Beahm's daughter, who is not named in the interview, but whose comments are interspersed throughout. Both Mr. Beahm and his daughter mention participating in the dedication ceremonies for the park, conducted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. The Beahms were one of the few families to move from the area voluntarily, prior to the opening of the park.

Records the reminiscences of Preston Breeden, who was born in 1917 and raised on a small farm where Pocosin Cabin now stands near the Appalachian Trail route through Shenandoah National Park. Mr. Breeden was interviewed by Edward B. Garvey and Samuel Moore of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, (PATC), which maintains the cabin, and Charles Anibal, Assistant Park Naturalist for Shenandoah National Park (SNP). The tone of the interview is largely conversational, with all four men contributing information about the region at the time of the founding and construction of Shenandoah National Park in the 1930s. Mr. Breeden describes his youth and early home life on the farm, including the crops grown by his family and the livestock they raised. Discusses his early working years in the local saw mills and barrel stave mills, hauling wood for the tan bark industry and his two-year stint with the Civilian Conservation Corps, where he worked as a foreman during the construction of Skyline Drive. The group visits the remains of the Upper Pocosin Mission, an Episcopal church where Mr. Breeden's mother and aunt lived briefly after their home was taken by the state by eminent domain. Mr. Breeden recalls the general mood of the local community regarding their forced evictions by the state of Virginia. He speaks at length of many of the local families, prominent landowners and small businessmen. Includes comments on the area's fish and wild game in his youth, the annual apple and chestnut harvests, general stores, cemeteries, grist mills and the activities of some local moonshiners.