(SNP099) Edward S. Nicholson interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith and Robin Minter, transcribed by Sharon G. Marston

Authors

Edward S. Nicholson

Files

Interviewee

Nicholson, Edward S.

Identifier

SNP099

Format

1 audio file (running time: 01:33:39)

Interview Number

SNP-99

Date of Interview

4-19-1977

Description

Records an interview with Edward Nicholson, who lived in the mountains of Madison County, Virginia until the establishment of Shenandoah National Park. Describes daily life in the mountains, the means of growing and preserving food and other aspects of the local economy. Discusses popular pastimes, herbal remedies, holidays, courtship, and the moonshine trade. Also discusses his memories of local entrepreneur, George Freeman Pollock, owner of Skyland resort. Mr. Nicholson's wife, Nellie, (née Dodson), is also present for the interview and contributes throughout.

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, Edward S., (Edward Sheridan), 1904-1979, Interviews; Nicholson, Nellie F., (Nellie Frances), 1904-, Interviews; Pollock, George Freeman, 1869-1949 -- Anecdotes

Family Names

Nicholson family; Dodson 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.); Folk music -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.); Food habits -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Holidays -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) – History; Funeral rites -- Appalachian Region, Southern; Hunting -- Virginia -- Shenandoah National Park; Courtship -- Virginia – History; Land use -- Government policy -- United States; Distilling, Illicit – Virginia.

Place Names

Madison County (Va.) – History; Skyland (Va.) – History; Skyline Drive (Va.) – History; Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Manners and customs; Shenandoah National Park (Va.) -- History, Local.

Interviewer

Smith, Dorothy Noble, 1915-1999; Minter, Robin

Transcriber

Marston, Sharon G.

Collection Title

Shenandoah National Park oral history collection

Collection Number

SdArch SNP

Recommended Citation

Edward S. Nicholson interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith and Robin Minter, April 19, 1977, SdArch SNP-99, Shenandoah National Park Oral History Collection, 1964-1999, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

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