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Interviewee
Burner Sr., James G.
Identifier
SNP019
Format
1 audio file (running time: 1:55:15)
Interview Number
SNP-19
Location of Interview
Page County, Virginia
Date of Interview
9-16-1977
Description
Records the reminiscences of James G. Burner Sr., who was born in Page County, Virginia, not far from the future site of Shenandoah National Park. Mr. Burner served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC), during the construction of the park and later became a park ranger in the National Park Service. Describes his experiences working with local mountaineer men in the CCC camps, their history and social conditions in the 1930s. Mr. Burner refers to numerous local mountain families and prominent individuals involved in the creation of the park. Topics include mountain agriculture and wildlife, folk music and dancing, traditional medicines, clothing, schooling, feuds and moonshiners. Mr. Burner was present at the founding of the first CCC camps in Virginia and discusses them in great detail. As a naturalist and conservationist, he discusses the local flora and fauna of the region in great depth as well. Identifies numerous local plant and animal species and their habitats. Comments on early efforts to rebuild the local deer population while reducing the number of wild bears. Comments on the social and economic effects of the Chestnut Blight of the 1930s on local families.
Rights
The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Personal Names
Burner Sr., James G., 1912-1995
Family Names
Burner family
Subjects
Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.) -- Virginia -- Shenandoah National Park – History; Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). Camp NP-1 -- Shenandoah National Park (Va.) -- History; Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). Company 334 (Va.) -- History; Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). Camp NP-2 -- Shenandoah National Park (Va.) -- History; Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). Company 350 (Va.) – History; Mountain people -- Blue Ridge Mountains -- Social life and customs; Mountain life -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History; Mountain people -- Virginia -- Shenandoah National Park -- Social life and customs; Rural poor -- Virginia; Country life -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Agriculture -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Food habits -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Traditional medicine -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.); Manners and customs -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.); Folk music -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.); Forest products industry -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History; Land use -- Government policy -- Virginia; Funeral rites and ceremonies -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Distilling, Illicit -- Virginia; Chestnut blight; Clothing and dress -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) – History.
Place Names
Skyline Drive (Va.) – History; Appalachian Trail – History; Page County (Va.) – History; Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Manners and customs; Shenandoah National Park (Va.) -- History, Local
Interviewer
Smith, Dorothy Noble, 1915-1999
Transcriber
Bradley, Peggy C.
Collection Title
Shenandoah National Park oral history collection
Collection Number
SdArch SNP
Recommended Citation
James G. Burner Sr. interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, September 16, 1977, SdArch SNP-19, Shenandoah National Park Oral History Collection, 1964-1999, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
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