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Start Over Creator Meisel, Mara Names Meisel, Mara

Carl and Gertrude Shifflett interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Mara Meisel and Victoria M. Edwards

Records an interview with Carl Shifflett and his wife, Gertrude, (née Shifflett), who discuss their memories of the people who lived within the future boundaries of Shenandoah National Park. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, courtship, and funeral rituals, as well as holiday celebrations.

  1. James Madison University
  2. Shenandoah National Park oral histories

David M. Taylor interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Mara Meisel and Rebecca Popp

Records a group interview with David M. Taylor, who lived in an area known as Joliet Hollow, in Page County, Virginia, until his family was moved to a resettlement area in nearby Ida, Virginia with the opening of the park in the early 1930s. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies, etc., as well as how his family and neighboring mountain families adjusted to their new lives in the Ida Valley. Mr. Taylor recalls his conversations with local entrepreneur George Freeman Pollock, owner of Skyland resort and an early promoter of the plans to create Shenandoah National Park.

  1. James Madison University
  2. Shenandoah National Park oral histories

Myrtle Woodward interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Mara Meisel, Rebecca Popp and Heather Browne

Records an interview with Myrtle Woodward, (née Broyles), who lived in the mountains near Syria, Virginia. Describes daily life in the mountains, touching on the work of growing and preserving food, herbal remedies and holidays. Also recalls her experiences with local entrepreneur George Freeman Pollock, owner of nearby Skyland resort, who was a major influence in the establishment of Shenandoah National Park.

  1. James Madison University
  2. Shenandoah National Park oral histories

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