New cultural pluralism in the Shenandoah Valley oral histories

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 the 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:

The copyright interests for select oral histories 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 #], New Cultural Pluralism in the Shenandoah Valley Oral Histories, 1992-1993, SdArch 0008, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.74 cubic feet 13 folders; 8 audiocassettes
Creator:
Staropoli, Theresa
Abstract:
The New Cultural Pluralism in the Shenandoah Valley Oral Histories, 1992-1993, is comprised of 8 audio recordings and 12 transcripts or summaries of interviews by undergraduate history intern, Theresa Staropoli, with individuals from the Shenandoah Valley who provide services to refugees and immigrants, and individuals representative of groups new to the area.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], New Cultural Pluralism in the Shenandoah Valley Oral Histories, 1992-1993, SdArch 0008, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

This oral history series studies the immigration of various ethnic groups into the Shenandoah Valley, starting with a review of past history (see background paper). Records interviews of individuals who provide services to refugees; also interviews of individuals representative of groups new to the area. Shows how these people are maintaining their cultural identities and how they are adapting to mainstream Valley culture. Studies reasons why they left their homeland; why they settled in the Valley; how their cultures differ; what troubles they have had maintaining their cultures; and how they perceive their reception by local residents. Interviews conducted with seven individuals providing services for immigrants include: Rev. Joseph S. Roberson, Alex Flores, Marlene Webb, Marta F. de Meza, Laura Draim, Sam Ritchie, and Sheryl K. Wyse. Interviews of new immigrants include: Willie Chavez, Ana Sanchez and Efraim Sanchez-Garcia, Tanya and Sasha Reut, and Thu Huynh. Series of five articles from Daily news-record (Harrisonburg, Va.), Dec. 28-29, 1995 include: Valley Hispanics fare well at orchards, poultry plants / Bettina Tilson; Mexican natives find good, bad in America / Bettina Tilson; Few Hispanics appear on welfare rolls / Chris Edwards; Tax laws require immigrants to pay / News-record staff; Hispanics working to adapt to life as Valley residents / Chris Edwards. Article from July 27, 1996: Hispanic census: Service group places count below estimates, refutes job/tax stereotype / Julie Collins.

Biographical / historical:

Oral histories were created by Theresa Starapoli, an undergraduate student at JMU, who completed the project as an intern in Special Collections in 1992. The internship was funded by a Burruss Grant.

Acquisition information:
Collection was donated by Theresa Staropoli on April 28, 1993.
Processing information:

Oral histories were cataloged at the item level in 1997; The descriptive metadata was compiled into a Finding Aid format in 2019. Audio recordings were transferred from audiocassette digital files by Kirsten Mlodynia, Digital Project Specialist at JMU Libraries in July 2018.

Arrangement:

Content is arranged in no particular order.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard