Search

The collection consists of over 150 oral history interviews. In 1939 and 1940 the W.P.A. workers went to the homes and businesses of men and women, both black and white, and asked them to tell about their lives and business experiences. The stories were written down in the words and dialect used. The stories were later edited, which included changing the real names of the persons mentioned and changing some of the titles. The majority of the persons interviewed lived in the Athens area. Some of those interviewed remembered the days of slavery and the Civil War. Others discussed their jobs, such as farmer, washwoman, principal, and insurance agent. All of the transcripts are photocopies.

The collection consists imprints, collected by Works Progress Administration workers as part of the "Southeastern Imprints Plan." The bulk of the imprints reflect works produced between the years 1808-1875, and several imprints reflect twentieth century dates.