Participation Type
Poster
Presentation #1 Title
Oral History of the Clinchfield Railroad and Related Industry in Unicoi County, TN
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This poster session is presented by the students of East Tennessee State University's Appalachian Teaching Project course, sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The course, entitled Documenting Community Traditions, focuses on collecting oral histories in the region. The current project is to document oral histories of men and women who worked for the Clinchfield Railroad and related industries in Unicoi County, Tennessee. Such related industries include the Southern Pottery, Blue Ridge Pottery, and the Erwin Silk Mill. The Clinchfield Railroad was one of the most significant railroads in Southern Appalachia, built to transport coal from southeastern Kentucky and Southwestern Virginia. The oral histories collected are transcribed and will be used to assist the community in its efforts to develop cultural heritage tourism. The project has taken on increased relevance due to the recent decision of CSX Railroad to close its operations in Erwin, eliminating 300 jobs. The students are in the second year of the project.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Ron R. Roach is Chair and Professor of Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.
Oral History of the Clinchfield Railroad and Related Industry in Unicoi County, TN
This poster session is presented by the students of East Tennessee State University's Appalachian Teaching Project course, sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The course, entitled Documenting Community Traditions, focuses on collecting oral histories in the region. The current project is to document oral histories of men and women who worked for the Clinchfield Railroad and related industries in Unicoi County, Tennessee. Such related industries include the Southern Pottery, Blue Ridge Pottery, and the Erwin Silk Mill. The Clinchfield Railroad was one of the most significant railroads in Southern Appalachia, built to transport coal from southeastern Kentucky and Southwestern Virginia. The oral histories collected are transcribed and will be used to assist the community in its efforts to develop cultural heritage tourism. The project has taken on increased relevance due to the recent decision of CSX Railroad to close its operations in Erwin, eliminating 300 jobs. The students are in the second year of the project.
