(SNP018) Weldon Burke interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith and Debbie McCormick, transcribed by Peggy C. Bradley

Authors

Weldon Burke

Files

Interviewee

Burke, Weldon

Identifier

SNP018

Format

1 audio file (running time: 0:41:06)

Interview Number

SNP-18

Date of Interview

12-16-1978

Description

Records the reminiscences of Weldon Burke, who grew up near the summit of Hazel Mountain, Virginia, prior to the establishment of Shenandoah National Park in 1934. Describes home and family life, daily chores, schooling, holidays and community events. Among the topics discussed are the growing, harvesting and preserving of food, raising livestock and gathering wild chestnuts and ginseng. Includes references to the tan bark industry, wakes and funerals, local merchants, and moonshiners.

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

Burke, Weldon, 1904-1986

Family Names

Burke family

Subjects

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; Farm life -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Country life -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Agriculture -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Food habits -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Canning and preserving -- History; Cookery -- Virginia; Folklore -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History; Holidays -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History; Traditional medicine -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.); Folk music -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.); Distilling, Illicit -- Virginia; Ginseng; Chestnut blight; Bark peeling -- Virginia -- Rappahannock County -- History.

Place Names

Hazel Mountain (Va.) – History; Rappahannock 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; McCormick, Debbie

Transcriber

Bradley, Peggy C.

Collection Title

Shenandoah National Park oral history collection

Collection Number

SdArch SNP

Recommended Citation

Weldon Burke interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith and Debbie McCormick, December 16, 1978, SdArch SNP-18, Shenandoah National Park Oral History Collection, 1964-1999, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

Streaming Media