Digital Commons Network^™

Interview 2002.01 Dr. Theresa Clark, Theresa Clark Dr.

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Dr. Theresa Clark discusses her memories of the closings of public schools in Prince Edward County, and teaching her children to speak up for themselves. Additionally, she talks about the Free Schools and the attitudes in Farmville at the time of her interview. As a professor at Longwood she also discusses Longwood's role in segregation. Interviewers include Jerry F. Little Jr. and Amir Abbassy.

Interview 2002.02 Dorothy Holcomb, Dorothy Holcomb

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Dorothy Holcomb describes her experiences during the school closings in Prince Edward County, walking to school in Prospect, and migrating to Carver Price High School in Appomattox. She also discusses her position on the School Board, and her instrumental role in integrating white and black segregated public libraries in Prince Edward County. This interview was conducted by Atif Gaddis and James Yount

Interview 2000.01 Mary Berlin, Mary Berlin

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Mary Berlin, Longwood Class of 1973, interviewed by Dana Daniels & Sarah Zehringer. Ms. Berlin details her volunteer activates in the community while a student, including tutoring Prince Edward County students, Vista Volunteers, and others. She also discusses her perceptions of Longwood’s role in the community at the time she was a student.

Audio recording is cut off at the beginning.

Interview 2000.07 Odessa Branch, Odessa Branch

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Interviewee Odessa Branch discusses her experiences during the school closings in Prince Edward County from a parent's perspective. She discusses her children's involvement in local boycotts and marches. As well as the struggle of maintaining two households in different counties so her children could attend school, and their experiences with the Free Schools. This interview was conducted by Stephanie Stevens and Jacynta Charlton, and transcribed by Jennifer Black.

Interview 2000.08 Rita Moseley, Rita Moseley

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

In this interview, Ms. Rita Moseley explains the affects the school closings had on her life; being sent away for school to Blacksburg, VA, separation from her friends and family, and the loss of a close relationship with her brother. Interviewers include Clarissa Powell and Katie Soule.

Interview 2000.06 Nell Casteen, Nell Casteen

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

The interviewee, Nell Casteen, discusses life during the depression and race relations in Prince Edward County. Additionally, she talks about her time at Longwood Class of 1939. She mentions her mother's influential work in the community including with a government loan program, working with Reverend Griffin, and with SCOPE-Meals on Wheels of Farmville. This interview was conducted by Stephanie Layman and Pattie Murray.

Interview 2000.04 Dr. Carolyn Wells, Carolyn Wells Dr.

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Dr. Carolyn Wells, a former science professor at Longwood, discusses her unawareness to the educational situation in Prince Edward when she arrived in 1955. She also discusses Longwood's physical growth in the 1960s, and Dr. Gordon Moss who was dean during her early years at Longwood. This interview was conducted by Lance Williams and Tricia Ramsey.

Interview 2000.02 William And Henry Powell, William Powell, Henry Powell

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Henry and William Powell discuss the subject of Vernon Johns, Barbara Johns Powell, and schools in the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, they discuss the schools at the time of the interview, and attitudes toward the closings. Interviewers include Dorian Watson and Heather Wentzel.

Interview 2000.05 Jacquelyn Reid, Jackie Reid

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Jackie Reid discusses how the school closings affected her life and disrupted her neighborhood and community. Additionally, Jackie also discussed her close relationship with Rev. Griffin and his family. Interview by Amy Rivenburg and Heather Willis.

Audio includes instruments or band in the background.

Interview 2000.09 William Watkins, William F. Watkins

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

This interview was conducted by former Longwood professor Dr. Susan Bagby who interviewed William Watkins. Mr. Watkins was mayor of Farmville in the 1960s and he discusses the school closings in Prince Edward County. He talks about the meeting of white citizens held in Jarman Auditorium in 1955, and his perceptions of race relations before and after the school closings.

Written transcription is not complete. Please review audio files in addition to transcript.

Interview 1998.09 Jackie Wall, Jackie Wall

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Ms. Jackie Wall was born in Calcutta India, in 1926, and later lived with her Aunt and Uncle. After her Uncle died she moved with her Aunt to Baltimore, then later to Farmville, Virginia. Jackie married J. Barrye Wall Jr. and moved back to Farmville. She discusses her thoughts about the school closings and the Wall's involvement in massive resistance, as well as her recollection of the time period and the hostilities in the community. This interview was conducted by Susan Bagby and Carolyn Dewolfe.

The oral history is currently missing a transcript, please refer to the audio files.

Interview 1998.14 Woodrow Parker, Woodrow Parker

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Mr. Woodrow Parker discuss his work in education, and tutoring programs setup for students in the Free Schools and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Interview 1998.13 Armistead (Chuckie) Reid, Armistead Reid

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

This interview was conducted by Brook Puckett and Stacie Thomas. Mr. Reid elaborates on the Prince Edward County school closings, his life afterwards, and his involvement in the community and with the children of Prince Edward County in the 1990s.

Interview 1998.15 Kathy W. Smith, Kathy Smith

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

This interview was conducted by Angela Rainey and Julie Weber. Kathy Smith attended the public schools after they reopened as one of only a few white students, and discusses her school life, her family's move to Farmville, and their relationship with Farmville, Virginia.

Interview 1998.11 James Lee, James Lee

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

This interview was conducted by Mike Daniels and Aimee Perez in which they interviewed James Lee on the integration of schools and the community, his families reaction to school closing, his experienced with the American Friends Service Committee in Iowa City, Iowa, college, and his return to Farmville. Additionally, they also talked about the current effects of school closings, Eggleston for Mayor, and passing down the anger and the story of school closing in the black community.

There is currently no transcript for this oral history please review the audio files.

Interview 1998.12 Angeles Christian, Angeles Christian

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

In this interview, Angeles Christian discussed what it was like being sent to live in New Jersey, the separation of her siblings, and what it was like to return and reunite with her family and the schools here in Prince Edward County in the 1990s. Interviewers include Kelley Gilbert and Amy Moye.

Interview 1998.10 Margaret Brown And Larine Watts, Margaret Brown, Larine Watts

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

In this interview, Margaret Brown and Larine Watts speak on the civil rights movement in Prince Edward County, the school closings and their reactions, especially as parents. Additionally, they talked about their experiences with working in segregated businesses and the difficult decision to relocate their families to New Jersey for their children's education. Conducted by Jessica Williams, Stephanie Reitz, and Rebecca Dixon. Transcribed by Sarah Ferguson.

Audio skips and is not great quality.

Interview 1998.08 Shirley Eanes, Shirley Eanes

Civil Rights in Prince Edward County

Shirley Eanes interviewed by Veronica Myers and Loretta Parham, transcribed by Katheryn Blackwell.

Shirley Eanes discusses how the Prince Edward County school closings effected her. She was slated to begin school the year schools closed in 1954. She also discusses her reasons for becoming a teacher, and her thoughts on reconciliation in Prince Edward.