June 16, 2016
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Archives and History Library will present “Memories of the Valley: FestivALL Oral Histories” at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston, on Saturday, June 18. This presentation is a selection of excerpts from oral histories collected during FestivALL 2015 at various locations around the Kanawha Valley including the Archives and History Library. The 35-minute presentation will play on a continual loop from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the library, and documentarian Eric Douglas, who conducted the interviews, will be present to answer any questions. This event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored in part by the Mining Your History Foundation.
Eric Douglas is a Charleston-area author, journalist and documentarian. He has a journalism degree from Marshall University and a certificate in documentary arts from the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. This is his second oral history documentary project. Douglas’ first, “West Virginia Voices of War,” collected the oral histories of 46 West Virginia war veterans.
On Wednesday, June 22, and Thursday, June 23, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the library, Douglas will be on hand to conduct this year’s recorded interviews as part of the 2016 FestivALL Oral History Project. The oral history project seeks to gather oral histories from residents of Charleston and surrounding areas. Sixteen spots are available for participants to tell their life history or memorable story. Each contributor will receive a CD copy of the interview.
To secure an appointment for a one-hour interview session in the Archives and History Library, contact Susan Scouras, archives library manager, at (304) 558-0230, ext. 742 or susan.c.scouras@wv.gov.
For more information on the 2016 FestivALL Oral History Project, visit http://festivallcharleston.com/events/oral-history-project-recordings or http://festivallcharleston.com/events/memories-valley-oral-history-project-viewing.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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