Christopher B. Martin oral histories on the Coors Controversy

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Access to oral histories is governed by agreements with the narrators. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

Copyright interests have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Christopher B. Martin Oral Histories, circa 1985, SdArch 0031, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University.

Summary

Extent:
0.12 cubic feet 2 folders
Creator:
Martin, Christopher B.
Abstract:
Christopher B. Martin Oral Histories, circa 1985, is comprised of transcripts of oral history interviews with F. Everette Smith, president of the local Farm Bureau Association, and Eugene Souder, pastor, concerning the coming of the Coors Beer Company to the county.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Christopher B. Martin Oral Histories, circa 1985, SdArch 0031, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University.

Background

Scope and content:

Christopher B. Martin Oral Histories, circa 1980s, consists of two undated typed transcripts of interviews conducted by Christopher B. Martin concerning the Coors controversy, which began in 1979. Interviewees are F. Everette Smith, president of the local Farm Bureau Association and poultry farmer; and Eugene K. Souder, co-chairman of the Rockingham County Concerned Citizens and pastor of a church in Grottoes. Both interviews represent positions against the Coors Company. Smith discussed zoning issues, and what he felt was the waste of good agricultural land. Souder discussed the moral and social implications of a large-scale local brewery in Rockingham County.

Biographical / historical:

Christopher B. Martin, journalist, has had a career as a reporter-photographer for a number of regional newspapers and for WJMA Radio News, Orange, Va. In January 1979, the Adolph Coors Brewing Company announced it was considering acquiring an area of land in Rockingham County for its new Eastern brewery. It was not until later that year that Coors decided to construct the brewery in Rockingham County, Virginia, rather than North Carolina. Local citizens had mixed feelings about this. Many people felt that the brewery and the coming of industry to the area would significantly help the economy. For example, Coors projected the creation of 1,200 jobs. Others from the local community believed that creating 1,200 jobs would create a greater need for homes, schools, and other public services thereby increasing local taxes. Still others believed that brewing beer in the Shenandoah Valley would increase alcoholism, and corrupt the morals of Rockingham County citizens. In a letter to the editor of the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record a concerned citizen wrote, "Alcohol makes alcoholics, and beer is alcohol. Let them go away. Let our good land, our good grain, and our good resources be used for something better." (DNR, January 29, 1979, p.6)

Acquisition information:
Items were donated by Christopher B. Martin in July, 1988.
Processing information:

There are no audio recordings accompanying the transcripts. Collection was formerly assigned Collection Number SC #1763.

Arrangement:

Interviews are not arranged in any particular order.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard