(SNP111) Bernice Shiflett interviewed by Amanda Moody, transcribed by Tiffany Cole

Authors

Bernice B. Shiflett

Files

Interviewee

Shiflett, Bernice B.

Identifier

SNP111

Format

1 audio file (running time: 2:13:31)

Interview Number

SNP-111

Location of Interview

Mrs. Shiflett's home in Charlottesville, Virginia

Date of Interview

8-29-1978

Description

"Records an interview with Bernice Shiflett, (née Shiflett), who lived near Swift Run Gap, in Greene County, Virginia, within the future boundaries of Shenandoah National Park. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, raising livestock, holidays, funerals, chestnut harvests, bark peeling, and other local economic activities. Recalls some of the more definitive events occurring in the region, such as the devastating chestnut blight of the 1920s, the construction of Skyline Drive and a famous, local double murder. Mrs. Shiflett also describes the resettlement experiences of her family and her neighbors after the park took possession of their mountain properties.

Rights

The Library has made a reasonable effort to identify all rights holders, but in this case, the current rights holders remain unknown or are not located. Thus, some of the materials provided here online are made available under an assertion of fair use (17 U.S.C. 107). Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item.

Personal Names

Shiflett, Bernice B., (Bernice Belle), 1916-1999, Interviews

Family Names

Shiflett 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" "Country life -- Appalachian Region, Southern" "Bark peeling -- Virginia" "American chestnut" "Chestnut blight" "Homicide -- Virginia -- History"Food habits -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Holidays -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History; Funeral rites -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Land use -- Government policy -- United States.

Place Names

Greene County (Va.) -- History; Rockingham County (Va.) -- History; Swift Run Gap (Va.) -- History; Skyline Drive (Va.) -- History; Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Manners and customs; Shenandoah National Park (Va.) -- History, Local.

Interviewer

Moody, Amanda

Transcriber

Cole, Tiffany

Collection Title

Shenandoah National Park oral history collection

Collection Number

SdArch SNP

Recommended Citation

Bernice B. Shiflett interviewed by Amanda Moody, August 29, 1978, SdArch SNP-111, Shenandoah National Park Oral History Collection, 1964-1999, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

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