Browse Projects (87 total)

The "Corpus of Spanish in Georgia" is a collection of semi-structured interviews conducted in 2015 with members of the Latinx community in the metropolitan Atlanta area, primarily in the city of Roswell, Georgia. Currently, the corpus comprises 20 first-generation Mexican immigrants from various regions of Mexico. The interviews lasted between 30…

The following collection includes interviews that were conducted on behalf of the EKU Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA) and in conjunction with the William H. Berge Oral History Center's resident oral historian. The included interviews tell the life histories and perspectives of accomplished Veterans who have connected with EKU OMVA…

EKU Veterans Studies (VTS) was the nation’s first academic program designed to teach students about the unique identities, cultures, and experiences of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. VTS courses combine critical inquiry, civic engagement, and meaningful interactions between veterans and non-veterans to dispel stereotypes, highlight veterans’…

The Health Care and Home Remedies interviews address traditional health care remedies, prominent 20th century childhood diseases and their treatments, midwifery practices, and other topics that relate to rural Appalachian health care dynamics. The interviews in the collection provide genuine firsthand accounts of how both common and less than…

The Kentucky Protest Movement Project (KPMP) is an ongoing oral history project that began in the early months of 2017. The 2016 Presidential Election resulted in a robust protest movement across not only the United States, including Kentucky, but also the entire globe. Since the Women’s March on Washington in January 2017, various local,…

Women and Gender Studies (WGS) capstone students investigate the formation of feminist values and the resulting practical application of feminist theory through conducting oral history interviews with feminist mentors who have impacted their worldview, perspective or approach to concepts of equity and identity (ascribed, prescribed, self-assigned,…

In 1989, EKU History Faculty member William E. Ellis received a Fulbright Scholarship award to teach at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. While in New Zealand, Dr. Ellis taught a course on oral history and conducted interviews with New Zealand citizens to capture how American history and culture was taught in both the high school…

Paul S. McBrayer was Eastern Kentucky University's basketball coach from 1946 to 1962, with a record of 214 games won and 141 lost. Throughout the eight interviews in this collection, McBrayer discusses his time working at Kavanaugh High School, his travels to Florida for fishing, and other places he's been for sport and leisure. He also talks…

This project of 28 interviews focuses on the history of Madison County, especially before 1940. Residents discuss their personal histories, local history, World War I, the Great Depression, the 1937 flood, the development of industry, transportation, technology, black history, Madison County High School athletics, Allen Douglas (president of the…

In the spring of 1978, Attitudes of Iranian students, was met with "unyielding resistance." Many Iranian students at EKU worried about the repercussions of being involved in the project. Their main worries were the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Iranian secret police force SAVAK. At the time, 21 Iranians attended Eastern, only three allowed…

These interviews are with individuals who own and/or operate family-owned farms in the counties of Clinton, Estill, Jackson, Laurel, and Madison.
Narrators discuss farming history from the 1830s to the 1980s, and the changes to farming that followed with the passage of time. Cattle and dairy farms are most prominent, though timber and other farm…

The two interviews in this project were conducted with individuals who had firsthand knowledge of the Waco KY Pottery industry. In particular, the interviews contain firsthand accounts of Bybee Pottery's business practices. The interviews were the last known interviews that Bill Berge conducted during his lifetime.

The following collection of interviews were conducted by Dr. Ed Fredrickson's Honors 312/20 students during the Fall 2015 and 2016 semester. Food and Society, the course listing title, focused on agricultural producers, the farmers markets they participated in, and, in general, the lifestyles that they chose to live. Once completed, the interviews…

The important place that Mountain Horses hold in Kentucky equine history cannot be underestimated. Before the advent of a dominant and rich horse racing culture, which began in earnest in the United States after the American Stud Book began keeping records in the 1860s, horses were vital to American life. From sprawling urban areas to the hills and…

The History of Buckeye School Project deals with the education and social history of the Buckeye Community, a small unincorporated community that sprang up during the early 20th Century in Garrard County near Lancaster, Kentucky. Buckeye High School eventually closed down in the mid-1950s. The community and school never fully recovered from the…

The single interview in this collection is a group interview with many of the founding members of Citizens for Sports Equity, a girls and women's sports organization that advocated for girls and women's sport through awards programs and a community support model that elevated female athletes accomplishments.

The culture of moonshine has seen a surprising change in recent years. Moonshiners and bootleggers of the 19th century would be surprised to find legal moonshine distilleries popping up all over the country. These interviews discuss the making of moonshine and stories involving moonshine.

In this project the football coaches who coached the 1979 team to Eastern's first National Championship were interviewed. They talk about the players, the university and community reaction to the winning season and the individual games.

This project identifies and interviews some Kentuckians who have made significant contributions to science in the twentieth century. There are many scientists in Kentucky who have spent their professional lives teaching, conducting research, and contributing service to the state and regional universities. Many have made outstanding contributions to…

High school girl's sports in Kentucky took a major hit when basketball was discontinued from 1932-1974. The passing of the "Basketball Bill" saw a resurgence in athletics for girl's in Kentucky high schools and colleges. This collection of seven interviews shares the memories and thoughts of athletes and coaches impacted by the legislation, from a…

Ottenheim, KY, was first settled in the 1880s by Swiss and German immigrants. Interviewees are the descendants of the original settlers, and range from sons and daughters to the grandchildren of the originals. They discuss their family history and why their family moved from Europe to America. Interviewees also talk about the effect the Great…

In the mid-nineteenth century, Swiss immigrants settled in Laurel County. Their descendants, who remain a distinctive group today, discuss their ancestors and the circumstances that brought about their settling in the area, their social customs, farming methods, and music.

In this collection of interviews, individuals discuss railroads, the different railroad systems, and railroad cars. A variety of topics concerning railroads and trains are also discussed. The interviewees in this series are all either railroad enthusiasts or former railroad company employees. Memorabilia, the rise and fall of certain railroad…

A small collection of interviews with individuals discussing incidents concerning the Baker-Howard Feud in Clay County, Kentucky. The origins of the feud are disputed, as one interviewee says it was started over a hog but others say over a random shooting, but the end result is certain: Bakers and Howards killed each other. Gim Howard and Tom Baker…

This project includes interviews with former Eastern Kentucky University football players and coaches. They discuss their playing days and their coaching careers on the high school and college levels.

High-ranking officers who served in the United States Navy during World War II discuss training sailors in the Pacific theater during the war, their combat experiences, and Admiral Ernest Joseph King. Sailors also relate their war experiences.

In this small collection of interviews, women discuss their experiences of being in the military.

Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War reflect on their combat and noncombat experiences. Soldiers who fought in Vietnam are especially candid about their service and their attitudes toward the war.

This is a collection of interviews concerning Vietnam Veterans. They discuss their thoughts and their experiences during their time in the military.

This is a small collection of interviews with individuals discussing the different roles of a church congregation.

Greenbriar Presbyterian Church's story is one of perserverance and "little old ladies." Interviewees note that, throughout the years, women have played an important role in the church. Widows in particular have helped keep the church afloat. Interviewees discuss their experiences growing up with the church and different programs the church has…

This is a small collection of interviews discussing the family and the Governor Wallace Wilkinson.

Marie Roberts Turner (1899-1984) was born in Knott County and raised in Breathitt County from the age of six months. After having taught school there, Turner became county school superintendent in 1931, a position she held for thirty-eight years. She was also active in the Democratic party and served three times as state Democratic chair. Along…

Carl D. Perkins (1912-1984) served in the United States House of Representatives from 1949 until his death. A Democrat from Hindman, he represented the Seventh District.

Interviews are with politicians, government officials, educators, and others associated with Perkins, including Wendell H. Ford, A.B. "Happy" Chandler, and Earle C. Clements.…

Robert R. Martin, born in 1911 in Lincoln County, served as state superintendent of public instruction, president of Eastern (1960-1976), and state senator from Kentucky's Twenty-second district.

Martin and his friends and associates were interviewed, including Wendell P. Butler, Tim Lee Carter, A.B. "Happy" Chandler, Earle C. Clements, Bert T.…

Kaiser Martin was born in 1920 in Peytontown, Madison County, Kentucky. He moved to Lexington, Kentucky as a teenager where he became interested in boxing. His boxing career began in the mid 1930s and ended with his winning the Welterweight Division Championship of Kentucky in 1943. After giving up boxing for health reasons, he began a forty year…

Malcolm Kilduff, deputy press secretary for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, was with Kennedy when he was assassinated. Because press secretary Pierre Salinger was out of the country, Kilduff had the responsibility of making announcements to the press and was with Johnson and the Kennedys at the hospital. He discusses the…

Prominent Kentucky historians discuss their personal histories and careers and the forces which led them to the profession. They explain how the study of history has changed over the years. The prominent historians also comment extensively on the ways that their own approaches developed and how they changed through the years of practicing their…

In this small collection of interviews, the life and career of Allen Douglas was discussed. He was Treasurer of the City of Richmond, KY and a Madison County, KY bank President.

Bert Thomas Combs, born in 1911 in Clay County, served as governor of Kentucky from 1959 to 1963 and on the United States Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1967 to 1970.

There are interviews with Combs, his relatives, and his political associates, including Barry Bingham, Sr., Carl D. Perkins, Edward F. Prichard,…

Interviews with key people in Martha Layne Collins' cabinet and campaign documenting her political career and major accomplishments as governor. These include the Toyota negotiation and education reform. Interviewees also talk about challenges she faced as Kentucky's first woman governor.

Tim Lee Carter (1910-1987) served as a Republican from Kentucky's Fifth District in the United States House of Representatives from 1964 to 1980. Born in Tompkinsville, he practiced medicine in Monroe County and served for twelve years as chairman of the school board before being elected to Congress.

Carter and his associates discuss his life…

This collection of interviews describe Powell County, KY and the railroad system. The interviews explore the significance of railroads and trains in Powell County by discussing the different cities and towns in the area. The interviewees are all citizens of these towns, and some were once employed by railroading companies, including the L&N.…

"The Man That Moved Mountains"

Dr. William Hambley is known as the man who envisioned and helped organized the Pikeville Cut-Through, a 15-year, multi-million dollar project that moved a mountain and relocated a river. Hambley, a Pikeville native, was a medical doctor before becoming involved in politics. His desire to make Pikeville more…

This relatviely small collection documents veteran experiences in war torn countries.

The Black History in Richmond Collection contains interviews with prominent African American citizens, religious leaders and civil rights advocates who were active throughout the 20th Century. Interview topics include, but are not limited to, discussions over the NAACP, CORE and the other related organizations that played a part in the integration…

This study of the African-American community in Richmond, Kentucky includes, among other things, a historical analysis of religious practices and churches before and after the Civil War (beginning with the Baptist Church, Colored established by African-Americans in 1846), an investigation of organizational development ranging from the Knights of…

Role of Rural Women

In this collection, interviewees discuss pop culture and the life of teenagers in the 1950s. Fashion and food are mentioned, as well has hairstyles and the pop icons who influenced them. One interviewee also talks about Elvis Presley, and how he impacted their community and the teenagers. Other topics discussed are high school activities, friends,…

This project focuses on approximately fifteen small towns in Kentucky, their citizens, character, and changes that have taken place. For the purposes of this project, a small town is defined as one whose population is under 2,500 people. Towns representing a cross section of Kentucky small town life were chosen for this project, from a variety of…