Shenandoah National Park Oral History Collection

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  (SNP102) Ray A. Nicholson interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Sharon G. Marston

  Ray A. Nicholson

  Records an interview with Ray Nicholson, who lived in Nicholson Hollow and on Old Rag Mountain, 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, fishing. Discusses the limited economic opportunities available to the mountain people, such as the chestnut harvests, bark peeling, stone masonry and moon-shining. Includes references to local entrepreneur, George Freeman Pollock, owner of nearby Skyland resort. Includes numerous references to Mr. Nicholson's relatives, on both the Nicholson and Fincham sides of his family.

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  (SNP103) Allen Patterson interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith

  Allen Patterson

  Records an interview with Allen Patterson, who owned extensive cattle grazing pastures on Dean Mountain in Rockingham County, Virginia. Describes his impressions of the mountain families who tended his cattle, daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, courtship and holidays. Mr. Patterson's granddaughter, who is not identified in the recording, joins the discussion near the end of the interview.

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

  Blanche Rickard

  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.

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  (SNP105) Charles Ross interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Alan S. Brenner

  Charles Ross

  Records an interview with Charles Ross, whose father, Dr. Charles J. Ross, was one of several local physicians who served the families living in the mountains prior to the advent of Shenandoah National Park. Charles J. Ross was born in Taylor County, WV, in 1881. He received his medical degree from the Medical School of Virginia in 1905, and later studied surgery in New York City. Mr. Ross describes the primitive conditions under which his father worked, where access to many of his patients was often limited to horse trails and foot paths. Recalls several deadly outbreaks of diphtheria, tuberculosis and typhoid fever, which were common in the area, as well as the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919, which caused the deaths of millions of Americans across the country. Mr. Ross often rode along with his father during school vacations and gives his impression of the many mountain people he encountered, including many local moonshiners.

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  (SNP106) Zenith Shifflett Sampson interviewed by Chris Brasted, transcribed by Tiffany Cole

  Zenith Sampson

  Records an interview with Zenith Sampson, (née Shifflett), who lived on Lewis Mountain, 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, the apple and chestnut harvests, bark peeling, and other local economic activities. Recalls popular community events, such as apple butter boilings, quilting and bean stringing parties, church gatherings and barn dances. Mrs. Sampson also recollects the earliest days of Skyline Drive and the impact it had on various mountain communities. At the time of the interview, Chris Brasted was an editor for the Greene County Record newspaper. His interview with Zenith Sampson was the basis for his Life in the Mountains article published in the newspaper on April 1, 1993. A photocopy facsimile of the article is included with the transcript.

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  (SNP107) Edith Samuels interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Peggy C. Bradley

  Edith E. Samuels

  Records an interview with Edith Samuels, (née Alger), who lived in Joliet 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, courtship, birthing and funeral rituals, as well as holiday celebrations.

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  (SNP108) E. Ray Schaffner interviewed by Darwin Lambert, transcribed by Tiffany Cole

  E. Ray Schaffner

  Records an interview with E. Ray Schaffner, who came to Shenandoah National Park as Assistant Chief Naturalist in 1956. Discusses the history of the park since the 1950s, the challenges of running a national park and changes in the public's environmental consciousness.

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  (SNP109) Jesse Seale interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith

  Jesse Seale

  Records an interview with Jesse Seale, who lived in the mountains near Syria, Virginia. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies and holidays. Also recalls his experiences with local entrepreneur George Freeman Pollock, owner of nearby Skyland resort, who was a major influence in the establishment of Shenandoah National Park.

  There is no transcript for this interview; interview consists of audio recording only.

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  (SNP110) E.P. Shifflett interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Peggy C. Bradley

  E. P. Shifflett

  Records an interview with E.P. Shifflett and his wife, Maude, (née Morris), who lived in Bacon 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, courtship, and funeral rituals, as well as holiday celebrations. The Shiffletts also recall several individuals who were killed in Bacon Hollow, usually as a result of feuds between rival moonshiners. An addendum to the interview transcript, provided by Dorothy Smith, documents several homicides and trials of Bacon Hollow residents from the early part of the century.

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

  Bernice B. Shiflett

  "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.

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  (SNP112) Carl and Gertrude Shifflett interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Mara Meisel and Victoria M. Edwards

  Carl O. Shifflet

  Records an interview with Carl Shifflett and his wife, Gertrude, (née Shifflett), who discuss their memories of the people who lived 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, and funeral rituals, as well as holiday celebrations.

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  (SNP113) Ella Shifflett interviewed by Bob and Pat Momich

  Ella Shifflett

  Records an interview with Ella Shifflett, (née Breeden), who lived near Pocosin Hollow, 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. Mrs. Shifflett also guides the interviewers on a walking tour of the area surrounding Pocosin Cabin, which is located near the Shiflett homestead, where she identifies and describes many of the structures that once existed there.

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  (SNP114) Irvin Shifflett, et al interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith

  Irvin F. Shifflett

  Records a group interview with Irvin Peanut Shifflett, his wife, Lydia, (née Rosson), J.P. Roach, and his wife, Hazel, (née Marshall), who discuss their memories of life near Rocky Bar, in Rockingham County, Virginia. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, courtship, and funeral rituals, as well as holiday celebrations and local moonshiners. Also present at the interview are Mr. Roach's mother, Lula W. Roach, and his nephew Bennie Cupp. Other unidentified voices can be heard commenting throughout. For a full interview with Lula Roach, Hazel Roach and Bennie Cupp, see SdArch no. SNP-38.

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  (SNP115) Nettie Sirbaugh, et al interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Peggy C. Bradley

  Nettie E. Sirbaugh

  Records an interview with Nettie Sirbaugh, (née Schafftnaker), her son, Clarence W. Sirbaugh, his wife, Beulah C. Sirbaugh, (née Thomas), and Beulah's cousin, Vallie Cave, (née Thomas). 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. Mr. Sirbaugh discusses the local tanbark industry, which was a major source of income for many mountain families. Additional interviews with Beulah Sirbaugh and Vallie Cave are available in SdArch no. SNP-2, and SNP-26.

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  (SNP116) Jake Sisk interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Peggy C. Bradley and Sharon G. Marston

  Jake Sisk

  Records a group interview with Jake Sisk, who lived near Nicholson Hollow, in Rappahannock County, Virginia, at the turn of the 20th century. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, fishing. Discusses the limited economic opportunities available to the mountain people, such as the chestnut harvests, bark peeling, fur trapping and moon-shining.

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  (SNP117) Pearl Williams Smith interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Joy K. Stiles

  Pearl Williams Smith

  Records a group interview with Pearl Smith, (née Nettie Pearl Williams), who lived in an area known as Morning Star, in Page County, Virginia, with her husband J. Benton Smith, until the opening of Shenandoah National Park in 1934. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, courtship and holidays.

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  (SNP118) Etta Snow and Charles R. Snow interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Peggy C. Bradley

  Etta Snow

  Records an interview with Etta Snow, (née Breeden), and her son Charles R. Snow, who lived in the mountains between Skyline Drive and McMullen, Va., in Greene County, at the eastern edge of Shenandoah National Park.

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  (SNP119) Etta Snow and her children

  Etta Snow

  Records an interview with Etta Snow, (née Breeden), her son Charles R. Snow and her daughters Lucille Wheeler, Helen Hill, and Kathleen Williams as they revisit the Snow homestead in Shenandoah National Park, not far from Pocosin Cabin, on the Appalachian trail. The interviewer is unidentified.

  There is no transcript for this interview; interview consists of audio only.

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  (SNP120) Margueritte Sutherland interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Sharon G. Marston

  Margueritte Sutherland

  Records an interview with Margueritte Sutherland, (née Daniel), who grew up in Graves Mill, in Madison County, Va. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, raising livestock, holidays, funerals, and working in her family's orchards.

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  (SNP121) David M. Taylor interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Mara Meisel and Rebecca Popp

  David M. Taylor

  Records a group interview with David M. Taylor, who lived in an area known as Joliet Hollow, in Page County, Virginia, until his family was moved to a resettlement area in nearby Ida, Virginia with the opening of the park in the early 1930s. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, etc., as well as how his family and neighboring mountain families adjusted to their new lives in the Ida Valley. Mr. Taylor recalls his conversations with local entrepreneur George Freeman Pollock, owner of Skyland resort and an early promoter of the plans to create Shenandoah National Park.

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  (SNP122) Lorraine Tompkins interviewed by Norman Taylor and transcribed by Tiffany Cole

  Lorraine Tompkins

  Records an interview with Lorraine Tompkins, who was born on Old Rag Mountain, in Madison County, Virginia, shortly before the advent of Shenandoah National Park. Although her family relocated to nearby Syria, Virginia, when she was two years old, Mrs. Tompkins recounts numerous stories told to her by her older siblings, parents and grandparents. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, as well as tales of famous murders and local moonshiners.

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  (SNP123) Norm Trout and Bob Johnson

  Norm Trout

  Records a conversation between Norm Trout and Bob Johnson, employees of the National Park Service at Shenandoah National Park. The men discuss various issues concerning access to the park, trail conditions and early settlers to the region, including Bob Johnson's ancestors. Included are Norm Trout's detailed descriptions of the scenic views at various points along Skyline Drive.

  There is no transcript for this interview; interview consists of audio only.

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  (SNP124) Davis Twyman interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Joy K. Stiles

  Davis Twyman

  Records an interview with Davis Twyman, who lived for more than eighty years in Syria, Va., in Madison County, at the eastern edge of Shenandoah National Park. The Twyman family owned a general store and grist mill in Syria, and Mr. Twyman recalls his interactions with the mountain people before and after the founding of the park. Discusses the limited economic opportunities available to the mountain people, such as the chestnut harvests, bark peeling, truck farming and moon-shining. Recalls the establishment of the presidential retreat known as Camp Hoover, in 1928, and the impact that President Hoover and his wife had on the local community.

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  (SNP125) Charles Wagner interviewed by Norman Taylor, transcribed by Joy K. Stiles

  Charles R. Wagner

  Records an interview with Charles Wagner, who came to the Shenandoah Valley in 1935, after enlisting in the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC), and was stationed near Luray, Virginia. Describes his career in the CCC, working as a laborer, cook, truck driver and eventually being promoted to First Sergeant. Mr. Wagner describes the hierarchy of the CCC camps, the command structure and the types of work performed by the enrollees. Detailed accounts of everyday life in the camps, from the living and working conditions to the educational and recreational opportunities are given. Mr. Wagner also relates his first-hand experiences with local entrepreneur George Freeman Pollock, owner of nearby Skyland resort, who was a major influence in the establishment of Shenandoah National Park.

  There is no audio recording for this interview; interview consists of transcript only.

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  (SNP126) Everett Wampler interviewed by Paul Lee, transcribed by Sarah Vaughan and Jeanette Shapiro

  Everett L. Wampler

  Records an interview with Everett Wampler, who grew up not far from the Black Rock Springs Hotel, in Black Rock Gap, Virginia. The Black Rock Springs Hotel was a popular tourist destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both for its scenic views and for the natural mineral springs for which it was named. Mr. Wampler recounts his memories of the grounds and buildings and the popularity of the site in the years following the hotel's destruction by fire in 1909. Includes references to people associated with the hotel and springs, as well as many of the families and local people who lived near the hotel in its heyday. The site where the hotel stood was incorporated into Shenandoah National Park in the 1930s.

  Also contributing to the interview were Mr. Wampler's wife, Mary Wampler, (née Garber), as well as Mrs. Mark R. Flora and Lon Shackelford of Shenandoah National Park.