Harold Garrison interviewed by Janna Zirkle, transcribed by Rebecca Popp, Erin Stevenson, and Heather Browne

Creator:

Garrison, Harold, 1916-1989, Zirkle, Janna, Popp, Rebecca, Browne, Heather, and Stevenson, Erin

Scope and content:

Records the reminiscences of Harold Garrison, who lived near Browns Gap, in what would become the Southern Section of Shenandoah National Park. Describes daily life in the mountains, including local agriculture, livestock production and food preservation, courting rituals and folk music. Discusses the importance of seasonal harvests, including chestnuts, ginseng and tan bark, to the local economy. Includes comments on moonshining, local murders and a 1954 plane crash on nearby Calf Mountain. The second half of the interview takes place in a Park Service vehicle as the two interviewers drive Mr. Garrison through the Browns Gap and Browns Cove areas of the park as he identifies local landmarks and home sites. The primary interviewer identifies herself as Janice Erkel, however there is no written documentation on the exact spelling of her name. The other interviewer is identified only as Tim, and as the driver of the vehicle, is presumably affiliated with Shenandoah National Park.

Names:

Garrison, Harold, 1916-1989
Zirkle, Janna
Popp, Rebecca
Browne, Heather
Stevenson, Erin

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