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Enjoy our collection of oral histories from elders throughout the South. This Archive is copyrighted by the Center for Cultural Preservation and is for personal use only. Any other use of this Archive or its images, sound, text or video for public distribution is prohibited without express permission.

African American Culture

Alma Avery

Alma Avery was a resident of Bat Cave, NC, working as a farmer and a factory worker.

Cora Young Interview

Cora Young was a native of the Brooklyn section of Hendersonville.

Enid Pinckney – Overtown History

Enid Pinckney is the founding President and CEO of the historic Hampton House Community Trust and grew up in Overtown, FL and knows the history of this historic African-American community. .

Marvin Dunn on Overtown History

Marvin Dunn in an historian who discusses Overtown history and the lessons we can learn from the many attempts to obliterate black communities from the landscape.

Max Rameau – Overtown History

Max Rameau, founder of Take Back the Land, shares the history of Overtown in Miami-Dade County and the gentrification of the area that severely damaged a once-thriving African American community.

Paul George on Overtown History

Paul George looks back on 100 years of Overtown and Miami history giving a detailed analysis of lessons learned.

Reverend Greg Mathis

Rev. Greg Mathis of Mud Creek Baptist Church discusses his efforts to reconcile with Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church and the black community that the church had discriminated against in its early days.

Reverend Matthew Tolleson

Reverend Matthew Tolleson was the minister of Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church who was part of a reconciliation with Mud Creek Baptist Church who apologized for their prior racism on how they treated their black parishioners.

Sushma Sheth on Liberty City

Sushma Sheth, director of the Miami Workers Center, discusses the history of Miami's housing boom and bust and its effect on the displacement of its African-American residents and the continuing struggle for affordable housing.

Artisan Crafts

Mary Thompson on Cherokee Basketmaking

Mary Thompson discusses basketmaking and its role in Cherokee life.

Max Woody – 5th Generation Chairmaker

Max Woody, a chairmaker and fiddler, talks about Old Fort Music, his long career as a master chairmaker, and his involvement with the town of Old Fort, NC.

Max Woody- Tour of His Wood Shop

Max Woody, master chairmaker, tours his woodshop, shows his equipment and furniture and discusses woodworking and the changes he has seen over the years.

Robert Morgan at Flat Rock Middle (2015)

Robert Morgan is an award-winning novelist and poet and 8th generation member of the Green River Valley.
Black Education

Cora Young Interview

Cora Young was a native of the Brooklyn section of Hendersonville.
Carolina Village History

Anita Pittman-Storm – Carolina Village History

Anita Storm discusses her career, life, and the people who helped create Carolina Village.

Betty Hensley – Carolina Village

Betty Hensley, Carolina Village long time employee discusses her 23-year history with Carolina Village.

Dan Williams, Carolina Village

Dan Williams, Board member for Carolina Village, explains how Carolina Village has grown and his personal experience with family there.

David Kelly - Carolina Village

David Kelly discusses the history of Carolina Village and what drew him to become actively engaged with it

Doley Bell

Doley Bell was one of the founders of Carolina Village and he discusses his involvement and what makes Carolina Village special.

Ken Youngblood - Carolina Village History

Ken Youngblood was one of the founders and visionaries for the birth of the Carolina Village retirement community.

Shirley Owens- Carolina Village

Shirley is a CNA and has been at Carolina Village for 33 years, she discusses her career at Carolina Village and what makes it so special.

Churches

Reverend Greg Mathis

Rev. Greg Mathis of Mud Creek Baptist Church discusses his efforts to reconcile with Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church and the black community that the church had discriminated against in its early days.

Reverend Matthew Tolleson

Reverend Matthew Tolleson was the minister of Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church who was part of a reconciliation with Mud Creek Baptist Church who apologized for their prior racism on how they treated their black parishioners.

Environment and Sustainability

Andrews Agyekumhene

Andrews Agyekumhene is from Ghana and works with the Wildlife Commission to protect sea turtles. He discusses his conservation work and how it connects to cultural preservation as well.

Chief Anthony Davidson, Edisto Tribe

Chief Anthony Davidson, the chief of the Edisto people, discusses the history of his people, their traditions, and their connection to nature.

Chuck Schaffer

Chuck discusses turtles and the relationships humans have had with turtles. He shares some Native American stories and folklore surrounding the turtle.

Cliff Ruth, Growing Agriculture Sustainably

Cliff Ruth, who worked for the Henderson County Extension Service explains the BMP, Best Management Practices, for conserving the quality of the water in WNC. Cliff explains how to keep sediment out of the streams and demonstrates how to build a rain garden and the best plants to grow.

DWQ Brett Laverty on Protecting Water Quality

Brett Laverty works for NCDEQ focusing on the monitoring of water quality in Western North Carolina.

History of the Chestnut with Anne Rogers, Gordon McKinney and Tom Saielli

A cultural program focused on chestnut loss, the role chestnuts played in Appalachian life and ecosystems and what we can learn from this history.

Jack Frazier

The Fascinating World of Marine Turtles: Insights from Biologist Jack Frazier

Kevin Howell, Davidson River Outfitters

Kevin Howell, owner of Davidson River Outfitters discusses water quality of the rivers in Transylvania and Henderson County.

Michele Skeele – Naturalist Tour of Jackson Park

Michele Skeele is a long-time Hendersonville native and naturalist who leads a nature walk along the trails in Jackson Park, Henderson County NC.

Phil Allman

Phil Allman is a marine biologist who has worked in Ghana and the Wildlife Division on projects to save sea turtles.

Sandy Schenck- Green River Preserve

Sandy Schenck, founder of Green River Preserve discusses what his environmental camp stands for and what the concerns are about the Green River.

Sara Bell – Green River Adventures

Sara Bell of Green River Adventures talks about her passion for the Green River and the effect of river quality on her business and family.

Theron Maybin Farming Workshop

Theron Maybin, an eighth-generation farmer from the Green River Valley in North Carolina, discusses farming wisdom based on his family's experience and the Farmer's Almanac.

Thrisa Murphy

Thrisa discusses her family history that dates back to 1768 and how to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Wilma Dykeman Presentation by Jim Stokely

James R. 'Jim' Stokely III, Wilma Dykeman's son, shares the extraordinary life of his mother who was a writer, activist, and environmentalist.

Farming

Alma Avery

Alma Avery was a resident of Bat Cave, NC, working as a farmer and a factory worker.

Apple Country Tour with Marvin Owings

Marvin Owings, former member of Henderson County Cooperative Extension, gives a tour of Apple Country.

Betty Smith Interview

Betty Smith, acclaimed ballad singer, discusses her personal history as well as ballad traditions.

Bill Hill

Bill Hill, an 84-year-old resident of Polk County, talks about growing up on a farm and offers advice to the younger generation.

Cliff Ruth, Growing Agriculture Sustainably

Cliff Ruth, who worked for the Henderson County Extension Service explains the BMP, Best Management Practices, for conserving the quality of the water in WNC. Cliff explains how to keep sediment out of the streams and demonstrates how to build a rain garden and the best plants to grow.

Cora Young Interview

Cora Young was a native of the Brooklyn section of Hendersonville.

Effie Russell

Effie Russell talks about growing up in the 30s on a farm in rural Hendersonville, her strong work ethic, and her deep family connection.

Gladys Barnwell

Gladys Barnwell who was born and raised in Landrum SC, works at Barnwell Apple House and the Curb market, talks about growing up on a farm where they raised everything they needed.

History of the Chestnut with Anne Rogers, Gordon McKinney and Tom Saielli

A cultural program focused on chestnut loss, the role chestnuts played in Appalachian life and ecosystems and what we can learn from this history.

Jacobs Family Farm – Dean, Donya, Dahlia & Dawson

The Jacob Family chose to go back to farming to teach their children to live close to the land, grow their own food and learn to live with nature.

Jerry Wolfe

Jerry Wolfe was a tribal elder of the Eastern band of the Cherokee in Western Carolina, and was named Beloved Man of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians – the first man to receive this honor in over 200 years

Liz Enloe

Liz Enloe grew up in Edneyville and lived on Clear Creek, she discusses growing up in this community.

Mark Elliot

Mark Elliot discusses growing up in the Black Mountain area in the 1930s and farming.

Norman Lyda

The Lyda Family settled in what is now Henderson County in the late 1700s. Norman is part of ~ the 6th generation of descendants.

Opal Parkinson Tour of Her Farm

Opal Parkinson, 8th generation native of Etowah, NC gives a tour of her farm.

Rebecca Earline Garrison Hornby

Rebecca Earline Garrison Hornby was born and raised on a farm in Haywood County where they raised just about everything they needed.

Robert Morgan at Flat Rock Middle (2015)

Robert Morgan is an award-winning novelist and poet and 8th generation member of the Green River Valley.

Sybil Freeman

Sybil Freeman was the Gerton, NC Postmaster, a farmer and came from a family that worked in the cotton mills.

Theron Maybin Farming Workshop

Theron Maybin, an eighth-generation farmer from the Green River Valley in North Carolina, discusses farming wisdom based on his family's experience and the Farmer's Almanac.

Thrisa Murphy

Thrisa discusses her family history that dates back to 1768 and how to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Floods and Freshets

Liz Enloe

Liz Enloe grew up in Edneyville and lived on Clear Creek, she discusses growing up in this community.

Jewish Culture

Al Weinstein – On Miami Jewish Culture

Al Weinstein discusses the importance of preserving the legacy of Jewish culture in South Florida and beyond.

Feder Sisters (Mimi Sloan and Sylvia Roebuck)

Mimi Sloan and Sylvia Roebuck, the Feder Sisters, were an internationally acclaimed Yiddish singing group and actresses who performed in Jewish theatre companies around the world.

Hindi Diamond

Hindi is a Yiddish teacher and actress and was the first person in the state of Florida to introduce Yiddish at a college level.

Moshe Bondar

Moshe Bondar discusses Jewish Miami Beach from the Cuban émigré perspective.

Paul George on Overtown History

Paul George looks back on 100 years of Overtown and Miami history giving a detailed analysis of lessons learned.

Moonshiners and Bootleggers

Dan Pierce – NASCAR and Moonshine

Dan Pierce, UNC Asheville history professor and writer, discusses his research into early NASCAR and its ties to moonshine.
Mountain Music Traditions

A Musical Conversation with David Holt

David Holt is a musician, storyteller, and entertainer. He discusses his life, his music, and the people who have influenced his career.

Barbara Willis and Old Fort Mountain Music History

Barbara Willis describes the origin and growth of a music venue in her community of Old Fort, which started in a woodworking shop 25 years ago and has since become a beloved destination for people worldwide.

Betty Smith Interview

Betty Smith, acclaimed ballad singer, discusses her personal history as well as ballad traditions.

Bo Taylor Cherokee Presentation

James “Bo” Taylor Cherokee dancer and storyteller, introduces the audience to Cherokee dancing, powwow dancing, dance songs, and discussion of Cherokee history, culture, and stereotypes.

David Wiseman Tour of Carolina Theatre

Local musician, David Wiseman gives a tour of the historic Carolina Theatre in Spruce Pine, NC

Elton Allison - The Legacy of Old Fort Mountain Music History

Elton Allison is a WNC bluegrass and old time musician who discusses Old Fort Mountain Music and its Impact.

Marc Pruett and Darren Nicholson Musical Conversation

Marc Pruett and Darren Nicholson are Grammy award-winning musicians who were bandmates in Balsam Range, an award-winning bluegrass band.

Max Woody – 5th Generation Chairmaker

Max Woody, a chairmaker and fiddler, talks about Old Fort Music, his long career as a master chairmaker, and his involvement with the town of Old Fort, NC.

May Woody- Old Fort Mtn Music

The Journey of Harmony: A Chairmaker’s Melody. Max Woody talks about Old Fort Mountain Music and making chairs.

Mike Ennis

Mike Ennis, is a native of Old Fort and expresses concern about the disappearance of traditional ways of life in the mountains of North Carolina and the closure of Old Fort Mountain Music.

Wayne Douglas Rowland

Wayne Douglas Rowland was the President of Old Fort Mountain Music. He discusses the closure of the nearly 30th year old musical institution.
Mountaineers

Apple Country Tour with Marvin Owings

Marvin Owings, former member of Henderson County Cooperative Extension, gives a tour of Apple Country.

Barbara Lyda Lackey

Barbara Lyda Lackey is an eighth generation resident of Henderson County whose family owned the Beehive Cottages in Edneyville.

Dan Pierce – NASCAR and Moonshine

Dan Pierce, UNC Asheville history professor and writer, discusses his research into early NASCAR and its ties to moonshine.

Effie Russell

Effie Russell talks about growing up in the 30s on a farm in rural Hendersonville, her strong work ethic, and her deep family connection.

Elton Allison - The Legacy of Old Fort Mountain Music History

Elton Allison is a WNC bluegrass and old time musician who discusses Old Fort Mountain Music and its Impact.

Gladys Barnwell

Gladys Barnwell who was born and raised in Landrum SC, works at Barnwell Apple House and the Curb market, talks about growing up on a farm where they raised everything they needed.

History of the Chestnut with Anne Rogers, Gordon McKinney and Tom Saielli

A cultural program focused on chestnut loss, the role chestnuts played in Appalachian life and ecosystems and what we can learn from this history.

Kevin Howell, Davidson River Outfitters

Kevin Howell, owner of Davidson River Outfitters discusses water quality of the rivers in Transylvania and Henderson County.

Liz Enloe

Liz Enloe grew up in Edneyville and lived on Clear Creek, she discusses growing up in this community.

Mark and Jean Raymond Walkabout Program

Mark and Jean Raymond, long-time residents of Hendersonville, NC, set out for a walkabout, a journey through Western North Carolina on foot.

Mark Elliot

Mark Elliot discusses growing up in the Black Mountain area in the 1930s and farming.

Max Woody – 5th Generation Chairmaker

Max Woody, a chairmaker and fiddler, talks about Old Fort Music, his long career as a master chairmaker, and his involvement with the town of Old Fort, NC.

Max Woody- Tour of His Wood Shop

Max Woody, master chairmaker, tours his woodshop, shows his equipment and furniture and discusses woodworking and the changes he has seen over the years.

May Woody- Old Fort Mtn Music

The Journey of Harmony: A Chairmaker’s Melody. Max Woody talks about Old Fort Mountain Music and making chairs.

Norman Lyda

The Lyda Family settled in what is now Henderson County in the late 1700s. Norman is part of ~ the 6th generation of descendants.

Opal Parkinson Tour of Her Farm

Opal Parkinson, 8th generation native of Etowah, NC gives a tour of her farm.

Rebecca Earline Garrison Hornby

Rebecca Earline Garrison Hornby was born and raised on a farm in Haywood County where they raised just about everything they needed.

Rufus Fisher

Rufus Fisher, who was born into a large family in Cramerton, NC, talks about growing up and surviving in a Mill town,

Theron Maybin Farming Workshop

Theron Maybin, an eighth-generation farmer from the Green River Valley in North Carolina, discusses farming wisdom based on his family's experience and the Farmer's Almanac.

Wilma Dykeman Presentation by Jim Stokely

James R. 'Jim' Stokely III, Wilma Dykeman's son, shares the extraordinary life of his mother who was a writer, activist, and environmentalist.

Native Culture

Bo Taylor Cherokee Presentation

James “Bo” Taylor Cherokee dancer and storyteller, introduces the audience to Cherokee dancing, powwow dancing, dance songs, and discussion of Cherokee history, culture, and stereotypes.

Chief Anthony Davidson, Edisto Tribe

Chief Anthony Davidson, the chief of the Edisto people, discusses the history of his people, their traditions, and their connection to nature.

Chief Harold (Buster) Hatcher, Waccamaw Tribe of South Carolina

Chief Harold Hatcher is the longstanding chief of the Waccamaw Tribe of South Carolina who fought for many years to acheive state recognition.

Jerry Wolfe

Jerry Wolfe was a tribal elder of the Eastern band of the Cherokee in Western Carolina, and was named Beloved Man of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians – the first man to receive this honor in over 200 years

Mary Thompson on Cherokee Basketmaking

Mary Thompson discusses basketmaking and its role in Cherokee life.

T.J. Holland Presentation on Cherokee History

TJ Holland was the director of the Eastern Band of Cherokee's IRB and the Junaluska Museum discusses Cherokee history.

Storytelling

Bo Taylor Cherokee Presentation

James “Bo” Taylor Cherokee dancer and storyteller, introduces the audience to Cherokee dancing, powwow dancing, dance songs, and discussion of Cherokee history, culture, and stereotypes.

Robert Morgan at Flat Rock Middle (2015)

Robert Morgan is an award-winning novelist and poet and 8th generation member of the Green River Valley.
Textile Mills

Rufus Fisher

Rufus Fisher, who was born into a large family in Cramerton, NC, talks about growing up and surviving in a Mill town,

Sybil Freeman

Sybil Freeman was the Gerton, NC Postmaster, a farmer and came from a family that worked in the cotton mills.