Women's History Commons^™

Cora Ann Westmoreland, Kelli Johnson

Oral Histories – NPS AACR Civil Rights In Appalachia Grant

Kelli Johnson conducting an oral history interview with Cora Westmoreland.

This oral history is part of the National Park Service African Americans Civil Rights History and Appalachia Grant Program.

0666: Susan And Geoff Eacker Collection, 1997, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Susan and Geoff Eacker interviewed ten women banjo players throughout August to October 1997 in WV and eastern KY. Interviews include Kate Brett, Diane Jones, Jessica Bills, Lynne Davis (about Molly O’Day), Kim Johnson (including Wilson Douglas), Sylvia O’Brien, Helena Triplett, Pam Lund, Cari Norris, and Dora Mae Wagers. This collection includes ten cassette tapes with the interviews and ten folders of transcripts for each interview.

0662: Smith Family Correspondence, 1857-1866, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of approximately fifty letters from members of the Smith family, located in Guyandotte, Virginia (or West Virginia, depending on the time), to Julia Sprague in Washington County, Ohio during the Civil War. The bulk of the letters are from Sallie P. Smith to Sprague, and many include their original envelope. Topics are focused on personal life and current affairs.

0500: Nancy Voiers Whear Papers, 1985-1988, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Bulk of papers consist of biographical sketches, notes, and files for “History-Making Women of Huntington,” a research project funded by the West Virginia Humanities Foundation; approximately 75 women were identified for inclusion. Also includes Mrs. Whear’s files from the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Committee.

Oral History Interview: Irene D. Broh, Irene D. Broh

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Irene D. Broh was born on November 20, 1880, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through the influence of her mother, a suffragist who worked with Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Broh joined the suffrage movement and helped women earn the right to vote. After marrying Ephraim Broh in 1909, she moved to Huntington, WV, where she organized a suffrage club in 1915. Mrs. Broh became the first woman to vote in Cabell County, WV, in 1920. In her interview, Mrs. Broh focuses on her work for women’s suffrage. She describes how she organized her club, the voting facilities in Huntington, and her experience …

Oral History Interview: Fay Ball, Fay Ball

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Fay Ball was born on March 28, 1904, in Lincoln County, West Virginia. She was raised on a farm and shared most of the farming responsibilities with her family. Mrs. Ball discusses social interactions within the farming community of Lincoln County, including barn raisings and harvesting. She focuses on entertainment during her childhood and explains styles of popular music and games. In the audio clip provided, Mrs. Ball discusses how to play games like “Blind Man,” “Aunt Me Over,” and “Nay Hide.”

Oral History Interview: William Allen Cross, William Allen Cross

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

In his interview, William Allen Cross discusses Prohibition and bootlegging in Huntington, West Virginia. Mr. Cross was a theater manager for the Keith Albee Theater (referred to as the State Theater) in Huntington, WV. Although he did not make moonshine, he was a buyer during Prohibition. He discusses how bootleggers sold their whiskey and provides locations for stills. Mr. Cross also focuses on how to make moonshine, whiskey, and wine. He reminiscences about “the Strip” between 10^th and 11^th Streets in Huntington, WV, that served from 1925-1945 as a red-light, gambling, and bootlegging district. In the audio clip …

Oral History Interview: Doris Copley Miller, Doris Copley Miller

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Doris Copley Miller resided in Wayne and Cabell Counties, West Virginia, for the majority of her life. She discusses the history of Marshall Academy and its progression to college and university status. She also focuses on education in West Virginia. In the audio clip provided, Mrs. Miller discusses teaching in Wayne County, West Virginia. She focuses the decor of her classrooms, the number of students, and the typical school day schedule. She also discusses games and recreation played by her students.

Oral History Interview: Lucy Quarrier, Lucy Quarrier

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

Lucy Quarrier was a renowned weaver and a member of the Southern Highlands Handicraft Guild. During the Depression, representatives from the state of West Virginia chose Mrs. Quarrier to teach rural women how to weave. She was also an accomplished gardener and used her green thumb to create vegetable dyes for her thread and weaving materials. Mrs. Quarrier taught weaving classes and her pupils became known as “The Lucy Quarrier Weavers.” She showcased her talents at arts and crafts festivals and often gave tutorials during the festivals. In her interview, Mrs. Quarrier discusses how she learned to weave. She focuses …

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Tape recordings and transcripts of oral interviews with residents in the West Virginia-Ohio-Kentucky Tri-State region regarding such topics as farming, schools, health care, folk customs, and many others related to life in this Appalachian region.

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the Marshall University Oral History Collection here.