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Contact Information:Special CollectionsCarol G. Belk Library and Information Commons Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina 28608 USA Phone: (828) 262-4041 Fax: (828) 262-2553 Email: spcoll@appstate.edu URL: http://www.library.appstate.edu/appcoll |
| Repository: | Appalachian State University W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection |
| Creator: | Theresa Burchett |
| Title: | Collection 181. Vardy Valley Oral History Project Records, 2000 |
| Language of Material: | Material in English |
| Location: | For current information on the location of these materials, please consult Appalachian State University. |
| Abstract: | Vardy Valley Oral History Project Records contains "The Vardy Valley Oral History Project, And Other Research and Works" by Theresa Burchett for a Master's internship and the Vardy Historical Society. |
| Vardy Historical Society consists of Melungeon residents of the Vardy Valley, near Sneedville, Tennessee who have worked to preserve the one-room Vardy schoolhouse, oral histories, photographs and other memorabilia. | |
| Extent: | 0.2 linear feet, 2 archival folders |
An appointment for research is required. No restrictions to access. No Interlibrary Loan. Use of audiovisual materials requires the creation of a user copy, if none exists. The user copy will be maintained as part of the collection. Researchers desiring a user copy for their own use outside of the repository should consult the Application for Duplication of Closed Collection Materials information on the Special Collections website.
Interviewees retains copyright.
[Identification of item], Vardy Valley Oral History Project Records, W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA.
Theresa Burchett donated the collection to the W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection in 2000. The accession number is 01-66. This collection was opened to the public 22 October 2002.
Processed by Kathryn Staley, October 2002.
Encoded by Kathryn Staley, January, 2005; revised 2008.
Melungeons are a group of inter-related families living in southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. There have been many theories regarding their ethnic origins. Originally believed to be tri-racial from African, European, and American Indian roots, some argue that Melungeons are of Portuguese, Turkish, or Jewish origins.
Many Melungeon families resided and continue to live in Vardy Valley, which was named after one of the Melungeon families. In 1998, the Vardy Community Historical Society formed as a 501(c)(3) to preserve the preservation of the Melungeon heritage. It has worked to preserve many historical sites including the Vardy schoolhouse and the cabin of ancestor Mahala Mullins.
Theresa Burchett, a non-Melungeon native of southwestern Virginia, conducted an internship project the Vardy Historical Society and Appalachian State University's Appalachian Studies Masters Program in 2000. She conducted oral history interviews with residents Clellan and Oakie Collins, Charles Sizemore, Clara Belle Horton, David Swartz, DruAnna Overbay, and Gerldine Bell. Most identify themselves as Melungeon. Also included are Burchett's comprehensive bibliography on Melungeons, grant applications and overview of her internship.
Original arrangement is maintained.
| Melungeons -- Bibliography |
| Melungeons -- Tennessee -- Sneedville |
| Melungeons -- Tennessee -- Vardy Valley |
| Oral history |
| Vardy Community Historical Society (Tenn.) |
| Collection 181. Vardy Valley Oral History Project Records. (2000) | |||||||||
| Organized in original order. Included are six interviews of seven Vardy residents. | |||||||||
| Folder | |||||||||
| 1 | Oral histories. | ||||||||
