(SNP104) Blanche Rickard interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Sharon G. Marston

Authors

Blanche Rickard

Files

Interviewee

Rickard, Blanche

Identifier

SNP104

Format

1 transcript (33 leaves 28 cm.)

Interview Number

SNP-104

Location of Interview

Mrs. Rickard's home in Luray, Virginia

Date of Interview

5-26-1978

Description

Records an interview with Blanche Rickard, (née Batman), who lived in Thornton Gap, within the future boundaries of Shenandoah National Park. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, courtship, birthing and funeral rituals, as well as holiday celebrations. Discusses at length the reaction of family and neighbors to being forcefully evicted from their property by the state of Virginia, to make way for the national park.

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

Rickard, Blanche 1883-1986, Interviews

Family Names

Rickart family; Batman 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; Traditional medicine -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.); Distilling, Illicit -- Virginia – History; Food habits -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Holidays -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) – History; Funeral rites and ceremonies -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Courtship -- Virginia – History; Land use -- Government policy -- United States.

Place Names

Page County (Va.) – History; Rappahannock County (Va.) – History; Thornton Gap (Va.) – History; Frazier Hollow (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

Marston, Sharon G.

Collection Title

Shenandoah National Park oral history collection

Collection Number

SdArch SNP

Recommended Citation

Blanche Rickard interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, May 26, 1978, SdArch SNP-104, Shenandoah National Park Oral History Collection, 1964-1999, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

Streaming Media