(SNP101) Nelson and Claudia Nicholson interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Peggy C. Bradley

Authors

Nelson M. Nicholson

Files

Interviewee

Nicholson, Nelson M.

Identifier

SNP101

Format

1 audio file (running time: 1:22:31)

Interview Number

SNP-101

Location of Interview

The Nicholson's home in Madison, Virginia

Date of Interview

11-28-1977

Description

Records an interview with Nelson Nicholson and his wife, Claudia, who lived in Nicholson Hollow, 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, hunting and fishing. Discusses the limited economic opportunities available to the mountain people, such as the apple and chestnut harvests, bark peeling and moon-shining. Includes references to local entrepreneur, George Freeman Pollock, owner of nearby Skyland resort.

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

Nicholson, Nelson M., (Nelson Murphy) 1913-1980, Interviews; Nicholson, Claudia F., (Claudia Frances) 1916-2010, Interviews; Pollock, George Freeman, 1869-1949 -- Anecdotes

Family Names

Nicholson 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; Bark peeling – Virginia; Food habits -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Holidays -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) – History; Hunting -- Virginia -- Shenandoah National Park; Courtship -- Virginia – History; Land use -- Government policy -- United States.

Place Names

Madison County (Va.) – History; Nicholson Hollow (Va.) – History; Skyland (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

Nelson M. Nicholson interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, November 28, 1977, SdArch SNP-101, Shenandoah National Park Oral History Collection, 1964-1999, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

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