unc logo

Collection Number: 04751

Collection Title: New Bern Oral History Project Records, 1991-1994

This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the FAQ section for more information.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Collection Overview

Size 6.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 500 items)
Abstract The New Bern Oral History Project was undertaken by members of the Memories of New Bern Committee, New Bern, N.C., beginning in 1991. Under the direction of Joseph F. Patterson, Jr., and others, 155 interviews were conducted with 138 older New Bern residents. Interviewers sought to capture memories of life in New Bern, circa 1905-1980, before the arrival of large numbers of retirees and "modern times" dramatically changed the town's character. The collection includes audio tapes and transcripts of 155 interviews conducted in 1991-1994 about the history of New Bern, N.C., and related material, including a copy of the published book, "Memories of New Bern." Many of the interviews contain discussions of education, medicine, and race relations in New Bern. Many interviewees described the social aspects of school, integration of the public schools, the establishment of Craven Community College, their years at New Bern High School, or the education of women, the practice of surgery during the Depression, a pediatrics clinic for indigents, technology in medicine, and medical care are discussed in many interviews. Another issue addressed repeatedly is that of race relations, including conditions for blacks in New Bern after World War II, the role of blacks in city government, and the civil rights movement.
Language English
Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Information For Users

Restrictions to Access
Use of audio tapes may require production of listening copies.
Restrictions to Use
No usage restrictions.
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the New Bern Oral History Project Records #4751, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Acquisitions Information
Received from the Memories of New Bern Committee in May 1995 (Acc. 95056) and October 1995 (Acc. 95125).
Sensitive Materials Statement
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.
Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subject Headings

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Related Collections

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Historical Information

The New Bern Oral History Project was undertaken by members of the Memories of New Bern Committee, New Bern, N.C., beginning in 1991. Under the direction of Joseph F. Patterson, Jr., and others, 155 interviews were conducted with 138 older New Bern residents. Interviewers sought to capture memories of life in New Bern, circa 1905-1980, before the arrival of large numbers of retirees and "modern times" dramatically changed the town's character.

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Scope and Content

Audio tapes and transcripts of 155 interviews conducted in 1991-1994 about the history of New Bern, N.C., and related material, including a copy of the published book, "Memories of New Bern." Many of the interviews contain discussions of education, medicine, and race relations in New Bern. Many interviewees described the social aspects of school, integration of the public schools, the establishment of Craven Community College, their years at New Bern High School, or the education of women, the practice of surgery during the Depression, a pediatrics clinic for indigents, technology in medicine, and medical care are discussed in many interviews. Another issue addressed repeatedly is that of race relations, including conditions for blacks in New Bern after World War II, the role of blacks in city government, and the civil rights movement.

Back to Top

Contents list

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Records, 1991-1994.

About 500 items.

Audio tapes and transcripts of 155 interviews conducted in 1991-1994, under the auspices of the Memories of New Bern Committee, about the history of New Bern, N.C. Interviewers sought to capture memories of life in New Bern, circa 1905-1980, before the arrival of large numbers of retirees and "modern times" dramatically changed the town's character. The collection also contains photocopies of documents referred to in the interviews or relating to individual interviews, and original and photocopied photographs and other pictorial materials. Additional materials include a copy of the book, Memories of New Bern, which was based on these interviews; lists of interviewees; instructions to interviewers; and indexes to the tapes.

Topics addressed in many interviews include education, medicine, and race relations in New Bern. Numerous interviewees discussed the social aspects of school, integration of the public schools, the establishment of Craven Community College, their years at New Bern High School, or the education of women. The practice of surgery during the Depression, a pediatrics clinic for indigents, technology in medicine, and medical care for African Americans are discussed in many interviews. Another issue addressed repeatedly is that of race relations, including conditions for blacks in New Bern after World War II, the role of blacks in city government, and the civil rights movement.

Several interviewees also talk about local politics, especially their opinions on politicians' honesty; town life, particularly childhood memories and comments on social life, dances, vegetable women, and ice men; the local economy and downtown stores and restaurants; and transportation, including the growth of the Seashore Bus Company, railroads, and airlines.

Periods in New Bern's history that are discussed in many interviews include the New Bern Fire of 1922, the Depression, and World War II.

Transcripts of the interviews and related materials are filed alphabetically by the name of the interviewee. Most files contain pictures of the interviewee. Some also contain clippings or other material. Tapes of the interviews are housed separately. The tapes are numbered as received, with the prefix T-4751 added. Tapes are listed in parentheses next to the interviewee's name.

Note that audiotape numbers appear at the end of the interviewee names when appropriate.

Folder 1

Memories of New Bern #04751, Series: "Records, 1991-1994." Folder 1

Folder 2

Information concerning program #04751, Series: "Records, 1991-1994." Folder 2

Folder 3

Interviewer information #04751, Series: "Records, 1991-1994." Folder 3

Folder 4

Numerical listing of interviews and tapes #04751, Series: "Records, 1991-1994." Folder 4

Folder 5

The Great Fire of New Bern of 1922 (T-4751/3000, T-4751/3000.2) #04751, Series: "Records, 1991-1994." Folder 5

Folder 6

"Growing Up In New Bern" (T-4751/1819) #04751, Series: "Records, 1991-1994." Folder 6

Folder 7-23

Topics Covered on Tapes (alphabetical Order by interviewee) #04751, Series: "Records, 1991-1994." Folder 7-23

7: A #04751, Folder 7
8: B #04751, Folder 8
9: C #04751, Folder 9
10: D #04751, Folder 10
11: E-F #04751, Folder 11
12: G #04751, Folder 12
13: H #04751, Folder 13
14: J #04751, Folder 14
15: K #04751, Folder 15
16: L #04751, Folder 16
17: M #04751, Folder 17
18: N-O #04751, Folder 18
19: P #04751, Folder 19
20: R #04751, Folder 20
21: S #04751, Folder 21
22: V-W #04751, Folder 22
23: Z #04751, Folder 23

Folder 7

Folder 8

Folder 9

Folder 10

Folder 11

Folder 12

Folder 13

Folder 14

Folder 15

Folder 16

Folder 17

Folder 18

Folder 19

Folder 20

Folder 21

Folder 22

Folder 23
Folder 24-159

Transcripts, photographs, and other materials. #04751, Series: "Records, 1991-1994." Folder 24-159

24: Armstrong, Annie (T-4751/429, T-4751/505) #04751, Folder 24
25: Ashford, Caroline D. (T-4751/429, /505) #04751, Folder 25
26: Attmore, Arlestus (T-4751/206) #04751, Folder 26
27: Barden, Agnes F. (T-4751/101a, 101b) #04751, Folder 27
28: Barden, Graham A., Jr. (T-4751/503) #04751, Folder 28
29: Barden, Mary M. (T-4751/428) #04751, Folder 29
30: Barker, Charles T. (T-4751/415) #04751, Folder 30
31: Bartling, Adeline S. (T-4751/1044) #04751, Folder 31
32: Baskervill, Jane G. (T-4751/702) #04751, Folder 32
33: Baxter, William (T-4751/601, 601.2) #04751, Folder 33
34: Beasley, Clarence B. (T-4751/1054) #04751, Folder 34
35: Beasley, Emma D. (T-4751/1053) #04751, Folder 35
36: Beauchamp, Pearl W. (T-4751/420) #04751, Folder 36
37: Bell, William H., Jr. (T-4751/504) #04751, Folder 37
38: Bender, Ernest, Jr. (T-4751/1017) #04751, Folder 38
39: Bland, Carolyn M. (T-4751/204, 2001) #04751, Folder 39
40: Booker, Wallace (T-4751/904, 904.2) #04751, Folder 40
41: Boyd, Robert M. (T-4751/1510) #04751, Folder 41
42: Bradham, George W. (T-4751/1601) #04751, Folder 42
43: Breitweiser, Eleanor S. #04751, Folder 43
44: Brock, Thurman (T-4751/913) #04751, Folder 44
45: Bryan, Dorothy (T-4751/910) #04751, Folder 45
46: Bryan, Samuel (T-4751/1006) #04751, Folder 46
47: Carr, Eleanor (T-4751/405) #04751, Folder 47
48: Carraway, Rose B. (T-4751/403) #04751, Folder 48
49: Carter, Dorcas E. (T-4751/201) #04751, Folder 49
50: Cobb, Hattie M. (T-4751/208) #04751, Folder 50
51: Coleman, Robertha (T-4751/423) #04751, Folder 51
52: Conner, Tim (T-4751/1701, 1701.2, 1701.3) #04751, Folder 52
53: Cox, Nettie P. (T-4751/1012) #04751, Folder 53
54: Cox, Paul M. (T-4751/1010) #04751, Folder 54
55: Davis, Caroline H. (T-4751/301) #04751, Folder 55
56: Davis, Frances A. (T-4751/1036) #04751, Folder 56
57: Davis, Rebecca (T-4751/406) #04751, Folder 57
58: Delemar, James C. (T-4751/1052) #04751, Folder 58
59: Derda, Agnes (T-4751/1402) #04751, Folder 59
60: Dill, Florie G. (T-4751/1039) #04751, Folder 60
61: Dill, William L. (T-4751/425) #04751, Folder 61
62: Disosway, Ilene (T-4751/426) #04751, Folder 62
63: Dixon, Nat, Jr. (T-4751/1051) #04751, Folder 63
64: Dove, Dorothy N. (T-4751/207) #04751, Folder 64
65: Duffy, Elizabeth N. (T-4751/1038) #04751, Folder 65
66: Dunn, Genevieve T. (T-4751/1013) #04751, Folder 66
67: Dunn, John G., Jr. (T-4751/701, 701.2) #04751, Folder 67
68: Dunn, Margaret #04751, Folder 68
69: Dunson, George H. (T-4751/1509) #04751, Folder 69
70: Edwards, W. J. "Bill" (T-4751/1507, 1507.2) #04751, Folder 70
71: Edwards, Winslow M. (T-4751/1505) #04751, Folder 71
72: Faison, O. T. (T-4751/1001) #04751, Folder 72
73: Foster, Marea K. (T-4751/911, 911.2) #04751, Folder 73
74: Francis, Frances B. (T-4751/1035) #04751, Folder 74
75: Gavin, Annie (T-4751/1016) #04751, Folder 75
76: Gavin, James (T-4751/1015, 1015.2) #04751, Folder 76
77: Hall, Bertie Scott #04751, Folder 77
78: Hall, Charles H. (T-4751/1501, 1501.2) #04751, Folder 78
79: Hammond, Franklin (T-4751/1007) #04751, Folder 79
80: Hancock, C. Edward, Jr. (T-4751/1042) #04751, Folder 80
81: Hand, W. L., Jr. (T-4751/1002, 1002.2) #04751, Folder 81
82: Hawk, Mildred L. "Boody" (T-4751/1046) #04751, Folder 82
83: Hawkins, Elinor D. (T-4751/412) #04751, Folder 83
84: Henderson, Stephanye K. (T-4751/907) #04751, Folder 84
85: Hickman, Willie G. (T-4751/1022) #04751, Folder 85
86: Hobbs, Lavina (T-4751/205, /1101) #04751, Folder 86
87: Hodges, Elizabeth T. (T-4751/1050) #04751, Folder 87
88: Hollister, Virginia P. (T-4751/427) #04751, Folder 88
89: Hollowell, Callaghan M. (T-4751/1020) #04751, Folder 89
90: Holton, James W. "Mike" (T-4751/1506) #04751, Folder 90
91: Howard, Theresa B. (T-4751/202) #04751, Folder 91
92: Humphrey, Annie R. (T-4751/501) #04751, Folder 92
93: Jackson, Vann S. (T-4751/908) #04751, Folder 93
94: Jones, Frances H. (T-4751/407, 407.2) #04751, Folder 94
95: Jones, Hayden H. (T-4751/414) #04751, Folder 95
96: Jones, Hubert E. (T-4751/1025) #04751, Folder 96
97: Kafer, Oscar A., III (T-4751/424) #04751, Folder 97
98: Kennel, Philip and Nora (T-4751/1037) #04751, Folder 98
99: Kimbrell, Charles H. #04751, Folder 99
100: King, Francis P. (T-4751/413) #04751, Folder 100
101: Kirkman, Izora (T-4751/419) #04751, Folder 101
102: Lancaster, Hilda (T-4751/416) #04751, Folder 102
103: Latham, Frederick M. (T-4751/1026, 1026.2) #04751, Folder 103
104: Latham, Janet L. (T-4751/1030) #04751, Folder 104
105: Lee, Barbara (T-4751/1023) #04751, Folder 105
106: Lewis, Thelma (T-4751/1004) #04751, Folder 106
107: Lipman, Elbert (T-4751/1047) #04751, Folder 107
108: Lovell, Albert M. (T-4751/1508) #04751, Folder 108
109: MacDonald, H.J. (T-4751/422, 422.2) #04751, Folder 109
110: McCotter, Emma D. "Bay" (T-4751/801) #04751, Folder 110
111: McCotter, John Muse, Sr. (T-4751/802) #04751, Folder 111
112: McCullough, Rose G. (T-4751/803) #04751, Folder 112
113: McSorley, Eugene D., Jr. (T-4751/1045) #04751, Folder 113
114: Meadows, John A. "Ecky" (T-4751/1032) #04751, Folder 114
115: Meadows, Sara (T-4751/418) #04751, Folder 115
116: Melvin, Frank, Sr. (T-4751/1503) #04751, Folder 116
117: Mewborn, Helen C. (T-4751/1040) #04751, Folder 117
118: Millns, Dale T. (T-4751/1011) #04751, Folder 118
119: Mills, Martha (T-4751/430) #04751, Folder 119
120: Mitchell, John W. (T-4751/1031) #04751, Folder 120
121: Morton, John W., Jr. (T-4751/1018) #04751, Folder 121
122: Mullineaux, Mary B. (T-4751/401) #04751, Folder 122
123: Munford, Mary F. (T-4751/1401) #04751, Folder 123
124: Newman, Callaghan "Callie" (T-4751/411, /902, /1502) #04751, Folder 124
125: Newman, Callaghan "Callie" #04751, Folder 125
126: O'Bryan, Robert C. (T-4751/1504) #04751, Folder 126
127: Parker, Anna L. (T-4751/402, 402.2) #04751, Folder 127
128: Parker, John R., III (T-4751/1029) #04751, Folder 128
129: Patterson, F. M. Simmons (T-4751/502, 502.2, /1021) #04751, Folder 129
130: Patterson, Joseph F., Jr. (T-4751/905, 905.2) #04751, Folder 130
131: Patterson, Joseph F., Jr. #04751, Folder 131
132: Phillips, John (T-4751/1033) #04751, Folder 132
133: Pittman, Will B. (T-4751/410) #04751, Folder 133
134: Redd, Steve (T-4751/912) #04751, Folder 134
135: Richardson, Ernest C.(T-4751/1005, 1005.2, 1005.3) #04751, Folder 135
136: Ritchy, Dorothy (T-4751/1003) #04751, Folder 136
137: Robinson, John H. (T-4751/209) #04751, Folder 137
138: Russell, H. E., Sr. (T-4751/409) #04751, Folder 138
139: Scott, Helen Ruth (T-4751/1027) #04751, Folder 139
140: Scott, Leon C., Jr. (T-4751/1034) #04751, Folder 140
141: Sharp, C. Edward (T-4751/1014) #04751, Folder 141
142: Sherratt, William (T-4751/417) #04751, Folder 142
143: Smith, James N. (T-4751/909) #04751, Folder 143
144: Smith, J. Murphy (T-4751/1008) #04751, Folder 144
145: Soufas, Harry C. (T-4751/1043) #04751, Folder 145
146: Stallings, Robert L., Jr. (T-4751/1009) #04751, Folder 146
147: Stith, Lillian F. (T-4751/1048) #04751, Folder 147
148: Swain, Clifford (T-4751/914) #04751, Folder 148
149: Vailes, Melissa (T-4751/408) #04751, Folder 149
150: Van Buskirk, M. C. M. "Kitty" (T-4751/431) #04751, Folder 150
151: Ward, Alfred D., III (T-4751/1024, 1024.2, 1024.3) #04751, Folder 151
152: Ward, Alfred D., III #04751, Folder 152
153: Williams, Laura (T-4751/203) #04751, Folder 153
154: Willis, Albert T., Jr. (T-4751/915) #04751, Folder 154
155: Willis, Margaret C. (T-4751/906) #04751, Folder 155
156: Wylie, Margaret "Betty" (T-4751/404) #04751, Folder 156
157: Zaytoun, Joseph E. (T-4751/1049) #04751, Folder 157
158: Ziegler, Verona J. (T-4751/901) #04751, Folder 158
159: Boyd, Harvey, McDaniel, White: Biographical Information #04751, Folder 159

Folder 24

Folder 25

Folder 26

Folder 27

Folder 28

Folder 29

Folder 30

Folder 31

Folder 32

Folder 33

Folder 34

Folder 35

Folder 36

Folder 37

Folder 38

Folder 39

Folder 40

Folder 41

Folder 42

Folder 43

Folder 44

Folder 45

Folder 46

Folder 47

Folder 48

Folder 49

Folder 50

Folder 51

Folder 52

Folder 53

Folder 54

Folder 55

Folder 56

Folder 57

Folder 58

Folder 59

Folder 60

Folder 61

Folder 62

Folder 63

Folder 64

Folder 65

Folder 66

Folder 67

Folder 68

Folder 69

Folder 70

Folder 71

Folder 72

Folder 73

Folder 74

Folder 75

Folder 76

Folder 77

Folder 78

Folder 79

Folder 80

Folder 81

Folder 82

Folder 83

Folder 84

Folder 85

Folder 86

Folder 87

Folder 88

Folder 89

Folder 90

Folder 91

Folder 92

Folder 93

Folder 94

Folder 95

Folder 96

Folder 97

Folder 98

Folder 99

Folder 100

Folder 101

Folder 102

Folder 103

Folder 104

Folder 105

Folder 106

Folder 107

Folder 108

Folder 109

Folder 110

Folder 111

Folder 112

Folder 113

Folder 114

Folder 115

Folder 116

Folder 117

Folder 118

Folder 119

Folder 120

Folder 121

Folder 122

Folder 123

Folder 124

Folder 125

Folder 126

Folder 127

Folder 128

Folder 129

Folder 130

Folder 131

Folder 132

Folder 133

Folder 134

Folder 135

Folder 136

Folder 137

Folder 138

Folder 139

Folder 140

Folder 141

Folder 142

Folder 143

Folder 144

Folder 145

Folder 146

Folder 147

Folder 148

Folder 149

Folder 150

Folder 151

Folder 152

Folder 153

Folder 154

Folder 155

Folder 156

Folder 157

Folder 158

Folder 159
Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Items Separated

Audiotapes (T-4751).

Back to Top

Processing Information

Processed by: Roslyn Holdzkom, Linda Sellars, 1996

Encoded by: Eben Lehman, April 2006

Back to Top