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Dorothy Swank interviewed by Andrea Smith, 1992 Network storage SA0012-SET-001

Records the reminiscences of Dorothy Swank, retired elementary school teacher for the Rockingham County (Va.) school system. Talks about her educational background and experiences over a span of forty-four years of teaching including: teacher training (through the State Normal school now known as James Madison University); certification; experiences teaching in one-room schools such as Little North Mountain and Mt. Pleasant, teaching at a combined elementary-high school at Bridgewater, and Broadway elementary school; discipline problems; and experiences as an elementary school supervisor. Mentions conditions in one-room schools and their gradual phase out (last one in Rockingham County closed in 1962); recreation opportunities for students; teacher salaries and Depression-era problems; curricula; numbers of students in classrooms; compulsory attendance and consolidation of high schools (1951). Mentions contributions in the area of special education and providing education for learning disabled students; her interest in the Friendship Industries sheltered workshop in Harrisonburg; development of kindergarten programs; use of TV in schools; and art education. Remembers former students and their accomplishments to date. In general provides a perspective on public education in Rockingham County, Va. from the 1920s through early 1970s. Recorded at Ms. Dorothy Swank's home, Singers Glen, Rockingham County, Va., on Oct. 28, 1992

  1. James Madison University
  2. Comparison of private versus public education in Rockingham County, Virginia oral histories, 1992

Margaret Grattan Weaver interviewed by Andrea Smith, 1992 Network storage SA0012-SET-001

Records the reminiscences of Grattan Weaver, member of a prominent Rockingham County, Va. family. Discusses education issues in general and the history of local private education in particular, especially in reference to her own family, beginning with her great grandfather, Major Robert Grattan (founder of Hood College, Md.). Mentions the old schoolhouse located behind the main house on the farm and the system of private tutoring. Talks about various local preparatory and finishing schools, military academies and colleges (Stribling Spring School, McGaheysville; one at Mossy Creek and Harrisonburg; West Central Academy, Mt. Clinton; Augusta Military Academy; Shenandoah Institute, Dayton; Woodberry Forest; Stuart Hall, Staunton; Hollins College; Harrisonburg High School and National Park College (where Mrs. Weaver went to school); Hampton Institute; Wellesley College (Mass.); VMI and the University of Va. Talks about school experiences and various curricula common to the day; compares and contrasts private and public education. Other references are made to family history (incl. the Roller family), various farms, the education of former slaves and the Civil War. Recorded at Mrs. Margaret Grattan Weaver's home, Inglewood Farm, Rockingham County, Va., on Oct. 23, 1992.

  1. James Madison University
  2. Comparison of private versus public education in Rockingham County, Virginia oral histories, 1992

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