Avery Research Center Midlands oral histories
Scope and Contents
The Avery Research Center Midlands oral histories collection contains six oral histories organized in three series according to the decade in which they were recorded. 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 Midlands. Areas of focus include segregation and historic Black neighborhoods in Columbia, the State Park community in Columbia, the role of Benedict College and Allen University, life in Orangeburg and Saluda, desegregation in Barnwell, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Baptist Church.
Series I: Oral History Interviews, 1981-1986
Series II: Oral History Interviews, 2002-2006
Series III: Oral History Interviews, 2019
Dates
- Creation: 1981-2019
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions to this collection; however, a cassette player is required to listen to the audiocassette tapes. A cassette player will be made available to researchers in our reading room.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the Avery Research Center's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Avery Research Center claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Historical Note
The Midlands are a geographic region of South Carolina which includes Aiken, Barnwell, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, and York counties. The region's main center is Columbia which is also the state's capital. The Carolina Sandhills also runs through this region.
Full Extent
.209 linear feet (1 half Hollinger box, 7 audiocassettes, and 1 wav file)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Avery Research Center Midlands oral histories collection brings together individual oral history interviews conducted by Avery Research Center employees with people who are from the South Carolina Midlands or lived and worked in the Midlands while adults. A handful of oral histories that were donated to the Avery Research Center, but not conducted by Avery Research Center employees, are also included in this collection. A wide range of topics are discussed in these oral histories representing the wide variety of life experiences found in the Midlands. Areas of focus include segregation and historic Black neighborhoods in Columbia, the Civil Rights Movement, the State Park community in Columbia, the role of Benedict College and Allen University, life in Orangeburg and Saluda, desegregation in Barnwell, and the Baptist Church.
Arrangement
Oral histories are arranged alphabetically by last name at the file level within each series.
- Oral History Interviews, 1981-1986
- Oral History Interviews, 2002-2006
- Oral History Interviews, 2019
Processing Information
Funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supported the processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid.
Subject
- Simkins, Modjeska Monteith, 1899-1992 (Person)
- Goforth, Gladys B., 1927-2019 (Person)
- Brown, Mattie (Person)
- Zimmerman, Geraldyne P., 1911-2010 (Person)
- Turpin, Caroll (Person)
- Allen University (Organization)
- Benedict College (Organization)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Inventory of Avery Research Center Midlands oral histories, 1981-2019 AMN 1201
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Nate Hubler
- Date
- November 2025
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
- Sponsor
- Funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supported the processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid.
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