VT Stories Oral History with Lawrence "Lonnie" Johns, April 22, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
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Lonnie Johns was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia with close ties to Virginia Tech. Although he was drawn to other schools, his mother receiving a PhD from the school and the architecture department led him to attend. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1992, majoring in Architecture.
After graduating, he worked in various architecture firms, eventually landing in working for the Department of Defense. In this interview, Johns talks about his time at Virginia Tech, as one of the few African American students, work with his fraternity Omega Psi Phi, and favorite memories at the school.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2016-04-22">2016-04-22</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives.
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VT Stories Oral History with Calvin Jamison, April 22, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
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Dr. Calvin D. Jamison grew up knowing he was going to attend college, the only question was where? He was born and raised in Martinsville, Virginia and upon visiting Virginia Tech, he ultimately decided to attend. A triple Hokie, Jamison received his undergraduate degree in 1977, master’s in 1981, and PhD in 1988.
In this interview, Jamison talks about his time at Virginia Tech, particularly in relation to being one of the few African Americans on campus, and his efforts in building a fellowship between African American students. He served on the Human Relations Council, a precursor to BSA, to recruit more students, which he continued on in his professional career.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2016-04-22">2016-04-22</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives.
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VT Stories Oral History with John Owen, October 22, 2021 (MS2016-015)
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John Owen was born in Lynchburg, VA to a military family. From his father's work, he moved to California, Greece, Alexandria, VA, and France during his childhood. Though upon retirement, his family settled back in Alexandria, VA where his interest in Virginia Polytechnic Institute began. Having family who previously attended, the choice became natural and Owen entered the class of 1970, though graduated in 1971, studying business management. In this interview, Owen talks about his life leading up to Virginia Tech and stories from his years at the school. Including stories from his rat year, favorite memories, and pranks.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-10-22">2021-10-22</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives.
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Oral History with Rick Boucher, June 28, 2023 (Ms2021-048)
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Frederick C. Boucher, better known as Rick, was born on August 1st, 1946 in Abingdon, Virginia.
Rick's long career in law and public service was heavily influenced by his upbringing and parents. His mother, Dorothy Buck Boucher, was a pioneer of women practicing law as she was in the first female class graduating from University of Virginia, School of Law in 1945, and became the first female lawyer working west of Roanoke. She later worked in Abingdon as a real estate lawyer and was the Democratic Chairman of the Political Party in Washington County. Rick's father, Ralph Emerson Boucher, was similarly a lawyer, primarily working criminal defense and was elected the Commonwealth's Attorney in Washington County for the Republican Party for several terms. This political opposition stressed the importance of bipartisanship and later inspired him to follow the family tradition in law and civil service.
He attended Roanoke College, where he studied political science and economics, with the ultimate goal of attending the University of Virginia, School of Law. Later, he graduated from Roanoke College in 1968, and then from the University of Virginia in 1971. After graduating, he moved to New York City to work in a Wall Street law firm, Milbank Tweed. Two weeks into working there, Rick met Alexander Forger, the New York director for the McGovern presidential campaign. This chance encounter led to him working as a political advance on the McGovern campaign, allowing him to travel the country and learn grassroots organizing. Later, this experience served to prepare him for his own Congressional campaigns.
He returned to Abingdon in 1973 in pursuit of the State Senate election in 1974. This election was the first step in his political career, where Rick served for seven years before being elected as Representative of Virginia's 9th District. He took the oath of office in 1983 under Tip O'Neill, where he served until 2011.
As a Congressman, Rick prioritized federal involvement in economic development -- particularly under the Reagan Administration. He was the lead author of the Democratic resolution of censure of the president, the Democratic position on the Bill Clinton impeachment. Later, he chaired multiple subcommittees including the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, the Subcommittee on Communications and the Internet, and the Subcommittee on Science of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
After serving in Congress, Rick worked in a D.C. law firm until 2020 when he retired. In retirement, Rick enjoys the scenery of Abingdon where he lives with his wife.
In this addition to the Rick Boucher Papers, Rick talks about his life before getting elected to Congress, including his motivations and strategies in campaigning. He covers his time while serving in Congress, with special notice to influential bills that allowed for the development of Google and Amazon. In the donation to Virginia Tech, he hopes that these materials will instill the importance of civil service that he felt as a young man.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2023-06-28">2023-06-28</a>
Permission to publish material from the Rick Boucher Papers Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
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VT Stories Oral History with Bertram Kinzey, May 19, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
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Bertram Kinzey, Jr. arrived in Blacksburg as an architectural engineering student in 1940. While living in Richmond, Kinzey enrolled in the engineering extension program, which led him to Virginia Tech for his final two years of undergraduate. As a student, Kinzey lived in town and participated in community as an organist, eventually graduating in 1942. He began working in an architecture firm in Richmond, Virginia and transitioned into teaching architecture curriculum.
In this interview, Bertram Kinzey covers his childhood in Berea, Ohio, attending Virginia Tech during World War II, and his career upon graduating.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2016-05-19">2016-05-19</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
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Ms2016-015_BertramKinzey
VT Stories Oral History with Theodore King, Jr., November 21, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
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Theodore King, Jr. grew up on a farm in Lunenburg County, Virginia. While in high school, King was recruited by many colleges, including Virginia Tech. He was drawn to the school because of its appeal to common people, as he was a lower class African American farmer, and felt he didn't fit in with more curated universities. Although Virginia Tech was his second choice school, he immediately fell in love with it upon arriving on campus. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelors in 1968, and remained until 1972 for a master's, both in economics.
During this interview, King recounts his early life growing up and arriving at Virginia Tech, working as an RA, campus life during the Vietnam War and as a Black student. He feels that Virginia Tech served as a foundation for his later career, in working at a law firm and eventually the Maryland State Assembly.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2015-11-21">2015-11-21</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_TheodoreKingJr
VT Stories Oral History with James "Bud" Robertson, June 8, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
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James "Bud" Robertson was born and raised in Danville, Virginia. There was a railroad close to his house, which led him to become interested in them (which he maintained throughout his entire life). The yardmaster understood his interest and offered to send Bud to college to become an engineer and work on the railroad, knowing that it would not happen. As a result, he went to Randolph-Macon College, graduating in 1955 with a bachelors in history. He went to Emory for both a graduate degree in 1956 and PhD in 1959.
After completing his dissertation, he worked in Washington for the Kennedy Administration until 1965. After getting sick of Washington D.C., he left for Montana for a tenured position. Bud's Virginia Tech story starts in 1967, where he got a position in the history department and stayed until retirement.
In this interview, along with his earlier years, Bud talks about his time working at the school, relationships with presidents and administrators, the athletic department, book collections, and current social issues.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2018-06-08">2018-06-08</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
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Ms2016-015_BudRobertson
VT Stories Oral History with James Boone, June 2, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
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James Boone, born July 25th, 1915 is among the earliest Virginia Polytechnic students to be interviewed for VT Stories. He grew up in Holland and Ivor, Virginia, and arrived in Blacksburg in 1933. While at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, he studied business administration, and graduated in 1937.
In this special interview, James Boone talks about his family history, his parents and relatives in the area, his fascination with railroads stemming from an early age. At Virginia Polytechnic, he covers influential professors, downtown life, living in the dorms, along with pranks done on fellow cadets.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2017-06-02">2017-06-02</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
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Ms2016-015_JamesBoone
VT Stories Oral History with George Fox, May 19, 2017 (Ms2016-015)
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George Fox, born in Charleston, West Virginia, grew up in a Virginia Tech household. His father from Virginia Polytechnic Institute for industrial engineering in 1941 and claimed that their extended family has more than twenty graduates. Consequently, George did not have a choice in choosing schools, and went to Virginia Polytechnic in 1960 for mechanical engineering. After graduating in 1964, he enlisted in the Air Force as an aircraft engineering officer. He stayed for four years, then worked in General Electric Company for the rest of his career.
In this interview, George Fox shares many stories from rat to senior year, including being one of the original cannon boys, shooting steam whistles, flooding the third floor showers, and putting cadets in laundry machines. Also in this interview, he talks about his time in the service, working after, and campus life.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2017-05-19">2017-05-19</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
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VT Stories Oral History with Frank Nolen, May 17, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
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Frank Nolen grew up in Macon County, North Carolina, raised with school in mind. In high school, he decided to attend North Carolina State College, but dropped out after encountering college chemistry. He transferred to Gaston Technical Institute, a two year technical school, and graduated early in January 1960.
He eventually arrived in Blacksburg because of a job offer with General Electric in Shenandoah. After getting the job, Nolen's boss decided to send him to Virginia Tech for an engineering degree, which he graduated from in 1965.
In this interview, Nolen recounts his path to Virginia Tech, becoming a student in the Corps, studies, his later career in General Electric, and then becoming a proud alumni.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2016-05-17">2016-05-17</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_FrankNolen
VT Stories Oral History with Bob and Judy Slaughter, October 10, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
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Judy Swecker Slaughter was born into a Virginia Tech family as her father graduated class of 1935. Growing up in Woodstock, Virginia, she had decided to follow her father's footsteps and also attend. She arrived in 1966, studying psychology and graduated in 1970. Then years later, she returned and completed a master's in education.
Bob Slaughter grew up in Roanoke, Virginia as a Virginia Tech fan. He ended up attending the school on a football scholarship and played all four years, graduating in 1970. He started as a business major, but switched to marketing education as he wanted to coach for a career.
In this interview, Judy and Bob talked about adjusting to campus life, particularly Bob balancing sports and academics. They covered campus culture in the late 1960s related to gender expectations, participating in campus events, going to the Lyric, and their careers after graduating.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2015-10-10">2015-10-10</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_BobJudySlaughter
VT Stories Oral History with First African American Women Students, April 22, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
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Marguerite Laurette Harper Scott, also known as Chick, grew up in Norfolk, Virginia in a family of Virginia State graduates. Although she intended on doing the same, when Virginia Polytechnic recruiters visited her high school, her father decided it was the place for her. She studied sociology and history, and graduated in the class of 1970.
LaVerne Hairston Higgins, commonly known as Freddie, grew up in Roanoke, Virginia and arrived at Virginia Tech through following her math teacher from high school. While at Virginia Polytechnic, she was heavily involved in social activism and studied math.
Linda Edmonds Turner grew up in Halifax County and arrived at the school through the Rockefeller Foundation. She is a triple Hokie, receiving her Bachelor of Science in 1970, master's in 1976, and PhD in 1979.
Upon arriving to Virginia Polytechnic Institute, these women did not know they would be among the first Black female students of the school. However, they turned into trailblazers for later classes of students, especially in challenging the schools traditions. In this interview, the women talk about their experiences at Virginia Polytechnic through this intersectional lens. They recount experiences with discrimination on campus and pockets of acceptance they found, professors they butted heads with, displaying the Confederate flag during home games, stories from Hillcrest, and participating in social activism on a predominately White campus.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2016-04-22">2016-04-22</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_FirstAfAmWomen
VT Stories Oral History with John "Jack" Kise, May 19, 2016 (Ms2016-015)
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Jack Kise was born in New Haven, Connecticut and moved around several times before landing in Portsmouth, Virginia where he spent most of his school years. In high school, he took an interest in Virginia Tech as he had several friends attend and liked engineering. He attended from 1952 to 1956, and studied electrical engineering. After graduating, he moved to Chicago and worked for VEPCO.
In this interview, Jack covers his life before and after Virginia Tech, his campus life including notable professors, influential Virginia Tech figures, and the reach of Hokie Nation.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2016-05-19">2016-05-19</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_JackKise
Fries Textile Mill Oral Histories Oral History with Craig Wood, April 24, 2022 (Ms2019-045)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Fries+%28Va.%29">Fries (Va.)</a>
Craig Wood is a former CPA who grew up in Fries, Va., but moved away for college and a career. Upon retirement, he moved into his parents' former house with his wife. While growing up, he worked in the mill over the summer in the cloth and spinning rooms. Wood's family also worked at the mill, with his grandfather as the manager of the company store, father as office manager, and mother as a secretary to the general manager.
In the interview, he recounts his memories of growing up with family very closely connected to the mill. He tells stories of working at the recreation center over the summer, and of the people in Fries.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2022-04-24">2022-04-24</a>
Permission to publish material from the Fries Textile Mill Oral Histories Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
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VT Stories Oral History Collection Oral History with Chris and Maria Kappas 6/6, May 13, 2019 (Ms2016-015)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
In this final installment of an oral history series, Chris Kappas is joined by his wife, Maria Kappas, to talk about their life working in the restaurant industry and raising a family in Blacksburg.
In this interview, Maria recounts emigrating from Greece in 1969, where she met Chris shortly after. The pair talk about their family, both immediate and extended, and working in the Greek's and Souvlakis.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2019-05-13">2019-05-13</a>
Permission to publish materials from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
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VT Stories Oral History Collection Oral History with Chris Kappas 5/6, December 6, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
The fifth oral history interview in a series about the Greek community in Blacksburg, local history, and the restaurant industry with Chris Kappas.
In this interview, Kappas talks about establishing Souvlakis in the Blacksburg community as a Greek food restaurant. He covers the later years of running the restaurant, with raising his kids and seeing them transition to adulthood and move away. Then into his retirement of transitioning ownership to Mike Buchanan, and into property management and serving on the town council.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2018-12-06">2018-12-06</a>
Permission to publish materials from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_ChrisKappas_5
VT Stories Oral History Collection Oral History with Chris Kappas 4/6, August 31, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
The fourth oral history interview in a series with Chris Kappas, longtime Blacksburg local and restauranteur.
In this interview, Chris Kappas talks about becoming principal partner in the Greek's restaurant with his father's former business partner, Jim Havelos. He covers restaurant operations, including running the Cellar and transitioning ownership, opening Souvlakis, and the proper pronunciation and consumption of "gyro". He ends on talking about downtown, including local businesses, Steppin' Out, the International Festival, and city planning.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2018-08-31">2018-08-31</a>
Permission to publish materials from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_ChrisKappas_4
VT Stories Oral History Collection Oral History with Chris Kappas 3/6, August 20, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
The third installment of a series of oral history interviews with Blacksburg local, restauranteur, and active community member Chris Kappas.
This oral history interview begins with Chris talking about his childhood growing up in war-torn Greece. He discusses the Greek Civil War following World War II, which led to his eventual passage to the United States. He talks about restaurant history, including his father's relationship with the Black community in Blacksburg, and expanding restaurant operations. After briefly moving to Richmond following graduation from Virginia Tech, he returned to Blacksburg to work in the restaurant and eventually take it over from his father.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2018-08-20">2018-08-20</a>
Permission to publish materials from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_ChrisKappas_3
VT Stories Oral History Collection Oral History with Chris Kappas 2/6, August 7, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
The second session in a series of oral history interviews with Chris Kappas, local Blacksburg restaurateur and land lord.
In this interview, Chris Kappas recounts his early life growing up in the Greek countryside during World War II while separated from his father. He moved to the United States after the war at eight years old, and talks about adjusting to life in Blacksburg, working in the restaurant, and stories of his father. From the success of the business, his father, Nick Kappas, helped their family immigrate from Greece and eventually developed offshoots of the Greek's restaurant, now (officially) called the Blue Ribbon Restaurant. These enterprises turned into Souvlakis, which started as a push cart on College Ave, the Mediterranean, turned Greek's Two, and the Cellar.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2018-08-07">2018-08-07</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_ChrisKappas_2
VT Stories Oral History Collection Oral History with Chris Kappas 1/6, July 30, 2018 (Ms2016-015)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
The first in a special series of interviews with Chris Kappas, a local Blacksburg businessman, land lord, and restaurateur. Born in Greece in 1938, Chris Kappas is the son of Nick Kappas, early Greek immigrant and restaurateur in Southwest Virginia.
In this interview, Chris recounts his father's story of immigrating to the United States at thirteen years old, and creating a life for himself in Roanoke, Va. During Nick Kappas' career working in restaurants, he became a beloved figure in the Blacksburg community, particularly by the Corps of Cadets, and relocated to North Main Street. Here, he opened his own restaurant in 1922, the Busy Bee Restaurant, more commonly known as the Greek's. Chris Kappas covers the early history of the restaurant, through name changes and working in Blacksburg as one of the few Greek immigrants, up to his birth in 1938 just before World War II.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2018-07-30">2018-07-30</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_ChrisKappas_1
Fries Textile Mill Oral Histories Oral History with Willie Wilson, August 29, 2022 (Ms2019-045)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Fries+%28Va.%29">Fries (Va.)</a>
Willie Wilson, born just outside of Fries in Fallville, Va. moved back to Fries in 1965 to work for the Washington Mills Co. Textile Mill. He started in the gardener shop, then moved into the weave room as a doffer, which he remained as for decades after. In this interview, he discusses working at the mill, the influence the mill had on the town, and local stories.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2022-08-29">2022-08-29</a>
Permission to publish material from the Fries Textile Mill Oral Histories Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2019-045_WillieWilson
Fries Textile Mill Oral Histories Oral History with Kevin Combs, May 20, 2020 (Ms2019-045)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Fries+%28Va.%29">Fries (Va.)</a>
Kevin Combs grew up just outside of Fries, Va., and spent his summers working in the mill as a doffer. His family has history with the town, as his grandfather was the minister of the Baptist Church until 1945, and his father similarly grew up in the town and worked in the mill. Now a resident of North Carolina, Combs is a photographer and has a project dedicated to Fries.
In this interview, Combs discusses his experiences working in the mill and growing up in Fries. At the end, he discusses the ways the town changed after the mill shut down and his ideas to revitalize the town.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-05-20">2020-05-20</a>
Permission to publish material from the Fries Textile Mill Oral Histories Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2019-045_KevinCombs
Fries Textile Mill Oral Histories Oral History with Chris Cooper, April 4, 2022 (Ms2019-045)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Fries+%28Va.%29">Fries (Va.)</a>
An oral history interview with Christine "Chris" Beamer Cooper, a Fries native who grew up in the Hollow, a small neighborhood within Fries. After moving to Galax in the 1960s, she worked for the Roses department store for forty years and settled in Mount Airy, North Carolina. In this interview, Chris talks about growing up as an African American in the town, attending segregated schools and eventually integrating, and local histories of native families.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2022-04-04">2022-04-04</a>
Permission to publish material from the Fries Textile Mill Oral Histories Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2019-045_ChrisCooper
Oral History with Bill Kenealy, April 5, 2019 (Ms2019-001)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Virginia+Polytechnic+Institute+and+State+University">Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=University+History">University History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=LGBTQ%2B+History">LGBTQ+ History</a>
In this interview, Bill Kenealy discusses what it felt like to return to campus after forty years, the Gay Student Alliance in the late 1970s, summer resort jobs in New England, gay discos, Denim Day preparations, his time in the United States Navy and service during the first Gulf War, and his current work in local politics in the United Kingdom.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Special+Collections%2C+Virginia+Tech">Special Collections, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1979-01-17">1979-01-17</a>
Permission to publish material from the Denim Day 40th Anniversary Oral History Collection must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2019-001_BillKenealy
Oral History with Beth Benoit, April 4, 2019 (Ms2019-001)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Virginia+Polytechnic+Institute+and+State+University">Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=University+History">University History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=LGBTQ%2B+History">LGBTQ+ History</a>
In this interview, Beth Benoit talks about computer science classes and the campus climate for gay men and lesbians at Virginia Tech in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She recounts how it felt to come out publicly in the school paper while having family in Blacksburg and the effect that coming out had on her career prospects regarding government computer science jobs. She then discusses how different things are today for her children, her observations of Denim Day in 1979, and the legal issues and societal acceptance of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
Content Warning: Brief description of violence and homophobia.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Special+Collections%2C+Virginia+Tech">Special Collections, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1979-01-17">1979-01-17</a>
Permission to publish material from the Denim Day 40th Anniversary Oral History Collection must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2019-001_BethBenoit
Oral History with Andrea Mosquera, June 22, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Andrea Mosquera for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Andrea, 30, is a single mother from Colombia seeking a degree in public administration. She, her mother, and her two children remained healthy in the U.S.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-06-22">2021-06-22</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_AndreaMosquera
Oral History with Yuliza Otanez, June 15, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Yulizia Otanez for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Yuliza Otanez, 21, is a retail worker and a student at Liberty University. Her parents in Roanoke, grandmother in Mexico, and extended family in South Carolina and New York City contracted COVID and one cousin died from COVID in New York City. She has suffered mental health repercussions due to the pandemic.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-06-15">2021-06-15</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_OtanezYulizia
Oral History with Brigitte Sanchez Robayo, June 14, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Brigitte Sanchez Robayo for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Brigitte Sanchez Robayo is an instructor for public school math teachers and very active in the Colombian community in the New River Valley. Her mother and sister in Colombia contracted COVID. She is currently pursuing an advanced degree.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-06-14">2021-06-14</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_SanchezRobayoBrigitte
Oral History with Johan Castañeda, June 16, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Johan Castañeda for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Johan Castañeda, 21, is a student at New River Community College and an activist from Colombia. His grandfather died of COVID and his mother was laid off from Phoenix Packaging in Pulaski, VA. He has suffered mental health repercussions due to the pandemic.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-06-16">2021-06-16</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_CastanedaJohan
Oral History with Sandra Escobar, June 16, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Sandra Escobar for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Sandra is originally from Bogotá, Colombia. She currently lives with her husband and son in Blacksburg, VA and has no other family in the US. She lost her father to Covid last year and several family members got sick as well in her native Colombia.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-06-16">2021-06-16</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Spanish
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_EscobarSandra
Oral History with Dulce Diaz, June 1, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Dulce Diaz for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Dulce Diaz, 30, is a single mother from Honduras who moved to Roanoke, VA a year ago from New Jersey. She lost her father to COVID-19.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-06-01">2021-06-01</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Spanish
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_DiazDulce
Oral History with David Hernandez, May 26, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with David Hernandez for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. David is originally from Mexico. He is married with children and his family was affected financially by the pandemic. He had 2 different jobs and lost one during Covid.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-05-26">2021-05-26</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Spanish
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_HernandezDavid
Oral History with Carolina Smales, May 28, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Carolina Smales for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Carolina Smales, 40, is a healthcare analyst originally from Venezuela with several family members who have died of COVID in Venezuela.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-05-28">2021-05-28</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_SmalesCarolina
Oral History with Maria Cantanero, April 14, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Maria Cantanero for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Maria is originally from Honduras but has lived in the area for several years. She is currently a stay-at-home spouse, a mother of 4, and a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church. Once the pandemic hit, she decided to quit her job and be home with her children while her husband continued to work. Although she, her husband, and children have been safe during the pandemic, she has lost 2 siblings and other family members and friends to COVID-19.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-04-14">2021-04-14</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Spanish
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_CantaneroMaria
Oral History with Thania Torres, August 4, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Thania Torres for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Thania Torres, 32, is the volunteer coordinator for Casa Latina in Roanoke, VA. Casa Latina is a non-profit social service agency that addresses the needs of the local Spanish-speaking community in the Roanoke Valley. Thania is originally from Mexico and has lived in the US for 2 years. She is married and has not seen her parents or other family members in Mexico since September of 2019.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-08-04">2021-08-04</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Spanish
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_TorresThania
Oral History with Edward Pineiro, March 16, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Edward Pineiro for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Edward was born in Brooklyn, NY to a Puerto Rican family. He is now the cleaning staff supervisor for the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC (Virginia Tech Carilion campus) in Roanoke, VA. He has not had Covid but knows plenty of people who had it. As a matter of fact, he lost one brother and two high school friends to Covid. He has pretty much stayed in Roanoke during the pandemic and plans to get the vaccine.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-03-16">2021-03-16</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Spanish
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_PineiroEdward
Oral History with Carla Finkelstein, March 16, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Carla Finkelstein for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Carla is an associate professor and director of the Virginia Tech Molecular Diagnostics Lab. She works at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC (Virginia Tech Carilion) in Roanoke, VA. She is originally from Argentina, where she earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at the University of Buenos Aires. She was fundamental in the process of developing a COVID-test that has enhanced testing capabilities not only for the Virginia Tech community but also for the whole Southwest Virginia region.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-03-16">2021-03-16</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Spanish
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_FinkelsteinCarla
Oral History with Marisa Benavidez, March 8, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Marisa Benavidez for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Marisa is a stay home spouse, mother of 5, member of the Catholic church, born in Mexico. Her family has slightly felt the impact of the pandemic, but it’s been manageable compared to others who have lost jobs or family members. Their Catholic faith has helped them stay positive during COVID-19 and become closer to each other. They have decided, based on their Catholic faith, they won’t be getting the vaccine.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-03-08">2021-03-08</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
Spanish
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_BenavidezMarisa
Oral History with Pablo Isaza, March 4, 2020 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Pablo Isaza for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Pablo, 21, works for an engineering firm while working towards his BA degree. The pandemic has affected his employment, finances, and political involvement.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2020-03-04">2020-03-04</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_IsazaPablo
Oral History with Jae de la Mora, March 8, 2021 (Ms2021-023)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Local%2FRegional+History+and+Appalachian+South">Local/Regional History and Appalachian South</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Latinx+History">Latinx History</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=COVID-19+Pandemic%2C+2020-">COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-</a>
Interview with Esther Jae de la Mora for the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Jae de la Mora is an artist, translator, and single mother from Mexico who acquired her green card at the beginning of the pandemic. She is a (possible) COVID survivor and has been active in mutual aid before and during the pandemic.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+of+Liberal+Arts+and+Human+Sciences%2C+Virginia+Tech">College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2021-03-08">2021-03-08</a>
Permission to publish material from the Voces of a Pandemic Oral History Project must adhere to the CC BY-NC 4.0 license and credit Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2021-023_DeLaMoraJae
VT Stories Oral History with Natalie Strawn Kelly, November 20, 2015 (Ms2016-015)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=University+History">University History</a>
Natalie Strawn Kelly grew up in Blacksburg, and was nearly predestined for Virginia Tech. She graduated in 1974, majoring in Elementary Education. In this interview, she talks about her time at Virginia Tech, taking classes, living in Northern Virginia, and the excitement of football games. A Hokie family through and through, she remains active in Virginia Tech affairs as an alumni, serving on the Alumni Association Board, as a Hokie Club Representative, and member of Women in Leadership and Philanthropy.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2015-11-20">2015-11-20</a>
Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms2016-015_NatalieStrawnKelly
Oral History with Kenneth B. Wright, March 19, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg+Industrial+Institute.">Christiansburg Industrial Institute.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Montgomery+County+%28Va.%29">Montgomery County (Va.)</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Railroad">Railroad</a>
Reverend Kenneth B. Wright was born and raised in Elliston, Virginia. Wright attended Montgomery County Public Schools, Virginia Union University, and
graduated from Roanoke College before becoming a pastor. In this interview, Wright describes the Elliston community, education opportunities, and race relations in Montgomery County. Wright discusses the reaction to desegregation and his participation in Civil Rights demonstrations. Additionally, Wright provides insight into some of the Black civic leaders in the Montgomery County area.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_KennethWright
Oral History with Roxie Ida Bryson, March 14, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Agriculture">Agriculture</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Coal+mines+and+mining">Coal mines and mining</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg+Industrial+Institute.">Christiansburg Industrial Institute.</a>
Roxie I. Bryson was born and raised near Shawsville, Virginia in Kirk’s Hollow. Bryson spent her life working in a local restaurant in the post office. In her free time, Bryson was a member of the Independent Order of St. Luke. In this interview, Bryson describes education opportunities available to her and her children, and she discusses work opportunities near Shawsville, including farming and mining. Bryson also describes access to social activities and grocery stores in the area.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_RoxieBryson
Oral History with James C. Wade, March 12, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg+Industrial+Institute.">Christiansburg Industrial Institute.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=African+American+history">African American history</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Radford+Army+Ammunition+Plant+%28U.S.%29">Radford Army Ammunition Plant (U.S.)</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Football">Football</a>
James C. Wade was born and raised in Blacksburg, Virginia. Wade graduated from Christiansburg Institute in 1959, and served in the Army before moving back to the Montgomery County area. In this interview, Wade describes race relations in Blacksburg, and he recounts his role in desegregating a local restaurant. Additionally, Wade discusses social life and work opportunities for Black Appalachians in the mid-to-late twentieth century. Wade provides unique insight on the Black community in Blacksburg, including information about the first Black students at Virginia Tech.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_JamesWade
Oral History with Ellison A. Smyth, March 5, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Virginia+Agricultural+and+Mechanical+College">Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Virginia+Polytechnic+Institute">Virginia Polytechnic Institute</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kentland+Farm">Kentland Farm</a>
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.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_EllisonSmyth
Oral History with James E. Sherman, March 11, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Coal+mines+and+mining">Coal mines and mining</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg+Industrial+Institute.">Christiansburg Industrial Institute.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Radford+Army+Ammunition+Plant+%28U.S.%29">Radford Army Ammunition Plant (U.S.)</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Railroad">Railroad</a>
James E. Sherman--who also went by Steve Sherman--was born in Whitethorne, Virginia and grew up in the Wake Forest community. Sherman attended Christiansburg Institute and spent his life working in the coal mines. In this interview, Sherman describes growing up in the Wake Forest community, education opportunities for Black Appalachians, and work opportunities in the area. Sherman briefly mentions other subjects, such as race relations and social life in the Montgomery County area.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_JamesSherman
Oral History with Homer C. Sherman, March 13, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Agriculture">Agriculture</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Coal+mines+and+mining">Coal mines and mining</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Virginia+Polytechnic+Institute">Virginia Polytechnic Institute</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg+Industrial+Institute.">Christiansburg Industrial Institute.</a>
Homer C. Sherman was born and raised in Wake Forest, Virginia. Sherman attended a local, one-room school until the eighth grade. After primary school, Homer Sherman went to work in the mines with his father. Lack of work opportunities in the Montgomery County area caused Homer Sherman to move away in search of better jobs with better pay. In this interview, Sherman describes growing up in the Wake Forest area, describes educational opportunities, and discusses work opportunities in Montgomery County. Sherman highlights that the lack of work opportunities available to Black Appalachians in the Montgomery County area caused many to migrate north in search of better jobs.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_HomerSherman
Oral History with Valerie Scott, Mason Scott, and James E. Dow, March 16, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg+Industrial+Institute.">Christiansburg Industrial Institute.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farm+tenancy--Virginia.">Farm tenancy--Virginia.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Railroad">Railroad</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Post+office+buildings">Post office buildings</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Civilian+Conservation+Corps+%28U.S.%29">Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)</a>
Valerie Dow Scott was born in 1904, and she grew up in Montgomery County, Virginia. Scott’s parents--the Dow family--sent Valerie to high school in Nottoway County, Virginia. After completing her education there, Scott worked as a teacher, briefly, before getting married to Rollin J. Scott. Valerie Scott and Rollin J. Scott had three children: James R. Scott, Mason F. Scott, and Goldie L Scott. While raising her children, Scott worked in the home for many years. Later, she worked at the Radford Arsenal. In this interview, Valerie Scott is accompanied by her son, Mason, and she provides information about education opportunities and work opportunities for Black Appalachians in the 20th century.
Mason Franklin Scott was born in 1928 and grew up in Elliston, Virginia. Scott attended Christiansburg Industrial Institute before completing his education in the Youth’s Army Program. He worked on the railroad before serving in the Army during the Korean War. As a veteran, Scott worked as a Postal Service employee in Blacksburg and Elliston, Virginia. In this interview, Mason Scott is accompanied by his mother, Valerie Scott, and he discusses his experience with the railroad, his service in the Army, race relations in Montgomery County, and work opportunities for Black Appalachians.
James E. Dow was born in Pennsylvania in 1928. He grew up in Elliston, Virginia, and he was raised by his grandparents. Dow graduated from Christiansburg Industrial Institute before serving in the Army during the Korean War. Upon his return from service, he worked for the railroad, briefly, before working in the Civil Service department at the Veteran’s Hospital. In this interview, Dow shares his experience of attending Christiansburg Institute, describes working for the railroad and the Army, and discusses race relations in the Montgomery County area.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_ValerieScottMasonScottandJamesDow
Oral History with W. Waymon and Cora Pack, March 11, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Coal+mines+and+mining">Coal mines and mining</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg+Industrial+Institute.">Christiansburg Industrial Institute.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Radford+Army+Ammunition+Plant+%28U.S.%29">Radford Army Ammunition Plant (U.S.)</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg%2C+Va.">Christiansburg, Va.</a>
William Waymon Pack was born in Montgomery County on August 7, 1920, and he grew up in Riner, Virginia. Pack attended a local primary school before attending Christiansburg Industrial Institute. Due to financial difficulties, Pack had to drop out of Christiansburg Institute, and he worked a variety of occupations in the Montgomery County area. Pack drove a bus for the Radford Army Ammunition Plant during World War II, worked in the mines, and eventually moved to Washington D.C. where he worked in a public school. In this interview, Waymon Pack describes working at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, and he describes other work opportunities available to Black Appalachians in the mid-twentieth century. Pack discusses educational opportunities for Black children, and he discusses the push for educational improvements brought by the County-Wide League, a civic association that advocated for educational equality.
Cora Elizabeth Oveter McDaniel Pack was born and raised in Christiansburg, Virginia, and she married Waymon Pack in 1943. Cora Pack joins her husband in describing desegregation and educational opportunities for Black Appalachians. In this interview, Cora Pack discusses racial issues that her son faced in the Montgomery County school system after the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_WaymonandCoraPack
Oral History with Christine P. Price, March 4, 1991 (Ms1991-019)
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Blacksburg+%28Va.%29">Blacksburg (Va.)</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Christiansburg+Industrial+Institute.">Christiansburg Industrial Institute.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Coal+mines+and+mining">Coal mines and mining</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Virginia+Polytechnic+Institute">Virginia Polytechnic Institute</a>
Christine Paige Price was born in Giles County Virginia on July 21, 1915. Her family moved to the Blacksburg area when Price was young in search of better educational opportunities for Christine and her siblings. Price and her family--the Paige family--were members of the Independent Order of St. Luke, a fraternal order that served as a social organization and financial safety net for Black Appalachians. Christine married Leonard Price, and they had nine children together. In this interview, Price provides information about social organizations such as the Independent Order of St. Luke, the Odd Fellows, and the Household of Ruth. Additionally, Price describes Black businesses in Blacksburg, work opportunities for Black Appalachians, and she describes her children’s education opportunities.
<a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank">Permission to publish material from the Black Appalachians Oral History Project must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+histories">Oral histories</a>
Ms1991-019_ChristinePrice