Richardson, Edna, May 1, 1995
Scope and Contents
The Avery Research Center Lowcountry oral histories collection contains 56 oral history interviews arranged in six series according to the decade that the interviews were conducted. Most of the oral histories were conducted by Avery Research Center employees, but there are also a handful of oral histories that were done independently of the Avery Research Center and later donated that are included in this collection. Within each series, the oral histories are arranged alphabetically by last name. Greater detail about the contents of each oral history can be found at the file level abstract of each oral history interview. Each oral history, when available, includes a transcript and any supporting documentation like questions, notes, and interview release forms. Transcripts do not currently exist for every interview and work to create them is ongoing.
A wide range of topics are discussed in these oral histories representing the wide variety of life experiences found in the Lowcountry. Topics include music careers, sweetgrass basketry, organizing and activism, education, civil service, military service, life in Colleton County (Catholic Hill, Spring Hill, and Green Pond), Charleston County (Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, Drayton Hall Plantation, and McLeod Plantation), and Atlantic Beach, and passed-down stories from ancestors enslaved on Lowcountry plantations in Colleton County (Cypress Plantation and Muckle Grove Plantation/Myrtle Grove Plantation).
Series I: Oral History Interviews, 1976
Series II: Oral History Interviews, 1980-1987
Series III: Oral History Interviews, 1995-1997
Series IV: Oral History Interviews, 2000-2009
Series V: Oral History Interviews, 2014-2019
Series VI: Oral History Interviews, undated
Dates
- Creation: May 1, 1995
Conditions Governing Access
This oral history is closed to the public without approval from Mary Hawkins.
Full Extent
From the Collection: .63 linear feet (1 Hollinger box, 1 half Hollinger box, 52 audiocassette tapes, 6 CDs, and 2.39 gigabytes (audio files and transcripts)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Edna Richardson describes her upbringing and employment on McLeod Plantation, and her experiences living on James Island all her life. Richardson mentions her grandmother's history as an enslaved woman and uncertain origins, and later life on Rivers Plantation. Richardson's husband, present during the interview, shares details of his upbringing in Sol Legare.
The oral history was conducted by Liz Clarke.
Repository Details
Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu