Oral History with Ellison A. Smyth, March 5, 1991 (Ms1991-019)

Title

Oral History with Ellison A. Smyth, March 5, 1991 (Ms1991-019)

Description

Reverend Dr. Ellison Adger Smyth was born and raised in Blacksburg, Virginia. He attended Blacksburg schools, and he graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1925 with a degree in electrical engineering before answering the call to ministry. Rev. Smyth served churches in Canada, West Virginia, Virginia, and South Carolina before returning to Blacksburg in 1948. In this interview, Rev. Smyth describes growing up in Blacksburg as a son to VPI faculty, and he describes race relations in the area from a white perspective. Smyth discusses his desegregation efforts in the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, and he describes his experience with the Ministerial Association and Blacksburg Human Relations Council, which were organizations that advocated to end segregation in churches and schools.

Identifier

Ms1991-019_EllisonSmyth

Bibliographic Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Black Appalachians Oral History Project, Ms1991-019, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Interviewer

Michael A. Cooke

Narrator

Ellison A. Smyth

Location

Blacksburg, Virginia

Duration

00:47:40

Citation

“Oral History with Ellison A. Smyth, March 5, 1991 (Ms1991-019),” VT Special Collections and University Archives Online, accessed March 29, 2024, http://digitalsc.specomeka.vtlibraries.net/items/show/13572.